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 (£)

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Activites Assistants (CASUAL)

Durham County Council
£24,404 (12.65 p.a. hour) - £25,183 (£13.05 p.a. hour)
This is an exciting opportunity for Casual Activities Assistants to join our Leisure and Sport Service.   Leisure Centres are
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pension Administration Officer

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 p.a. (Grade 3) Pay award pending
A vacancy has arisen within Pension Services for an Administration Officer to provide admin and data support to the pensions team and members of the L Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

County Attendance Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
We are seeking to recruit to the role of County Attendance Officer on a permanent basis to work predominately across the North or the South of the county. The team works across the whole of Oxfordshire so flexibility to work in other areas is also require County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Software Engineer Starter

West Northamptonshire Council
£26914
We're looking for an exceptional human to join our digital team to learn the skills and put them into practice, designing, developing and maintaining websites, mobile apps & AI. You'll join us on our journey as we create better end-to-end services for our Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Executive Director - Growth, Enterprise and Environment

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
£139,111.00 (pay award pending)
This is a chance to make a significant difference to the lives of families across our borough – and to seriously improve your quality of life. Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT
Recuriter: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Linkedin Banner