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

I.T. Application Development Officer - North Herts Council

Essex County Council
£38000 - £44000 per annum
I.T. Application Development Officer - North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£38,296.00 - £44,140.00 per annum (Pay award pending) England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Drainage Technician

Essex County Council
£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving lice England, Essex, Colchester
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service

North Yorkshire Council
£136,853 to £159,178 plus relocation support
North Yorkshire is England's largest county and a beautiful, vibrant place to live and work. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Customer Service Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £12541.00 per annum
Customer Service AssistantPermanent, Part Time£12,541 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Executive Director of Communications and Engagement

City of London
Competitive Salary
This role requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and political acumen London (City of), London (Greater)
Recuriter: City of London
Linkedin Banner