Paul Marinko 27 February 2023

Children's social worker numbers drop for first time since 2017

Childrens social worker numbers drop for first time since 2017 image
Image: Studio Romantic/Shutterstock.com.

The Government has been urged to act after official figures showed the number of children’s social workers has fallen for the first time since 2017.

New Department for Education data revealed there were 31,600 children and family social workers in England at the end of September 2022 - down 2.7% from the previous year and the first reduction in numbers since the Government started collecting the information in 2017.

In addition, 5,400 children’s social workers left the profession in the year and vacancy numbers were up by more than one-fifth at 7,900.

Both were also record highs.

Association of Directors of Children’s Services president, Steve Crocker, said: ‘The Government must take swift and meaningful action.’ 

The Local Government Association said its own research showed four out of five councils were having difficulty recruiting children’s social workers and 72% were struggling to retain them.

This meant local authorities were increasingly having to turn to costly agency staff to plug gaps.

A Department for Education spokesperson said it was ‘taking forward ambitious plans’ to recruit up to 500 new child and family social worker apprentices and introduce more support and professional development for a social worker’s first five years.

They added: ‘To reduce the use of agency social workers, we are consulting on proposals including capping the amount a local authority can pay for them and introducing a minimum level of experience required.’

This article was originally published by The MJ (£)

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27935.00 - £35344.00 per annum + includes allowance
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,935 - £35,344 per annum (including allowance)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Residential Worker Night Support

Essex County Council
£33014.00 - £41770.00 per annum + includes allowance
Residential Worker Night SupportPermanent, Full Time£33,014 - £41,770 per annum (includes allowance)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Catering Assistant Shellingford

Oxfordshire County Council
£24,413 - £24,413
To assist in the kitchen and dining room as required in the preparation of meals, food service, dish and utensil washing, general cleaning and other tasks associated with catering. This post holder is responsible for ensuring that all relevant County pol Shellingford Primary school, Church Street Shellin
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Catering Assistant Trinity

Oxfordshire County Council
£24,413 - £24,413
To assist in the kitchen and dining room as required in the preparation of meals, food service, dish and utensil washing, general cleaning and other tasks associated with catering. This post holder is responsible for ensuring that all relevant County pol Trinity Primary School
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner