Ellie Ames 27 November 2024

Councils will need 13,000 new social workers over next decade

Councils will need 13,000 new social workers over next decade image
Image: VH-studio / Shutterstock.com

Councils in England will need to hire 13,000 more social workers over the next 10 years amid growing need for the care and support of young people, according to new research.

If the Government does not invest in early intervention, 46,000 children and family social workers will be needed in 2034, the Local Government Association (LGA) found.

The figure represents a rise of more than a third on the 33,000 social workers in post in 2023.

The LGA said there must be a national recruitment drive involving government-funded training programmes, Level 7 apprenticeships and bursaries to encourage people to retrain from other professions.

The association also called for funding for further rounds of its ‘Return to Social Work’ programme.

The chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, Arooj Shah, said: ‘We need to make people aware that a career as a children’s social worker can be a very positive, enriching and rewarding role that makes a profound difference to children’s lives.

‘Sadly it is often a role that only gets attention when things go wrong.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Passenger Assistant (Escort) x 4 posts (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 3 - dependant on hours
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Traffic Engineering Senior Technician (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £28,132 - £30,914
You will play a key role in the planning, implementation and operation of traffic signal infrastructure across the city. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Modern Slavery and Violence Prevention Programme Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band H, SCP38 - 43 (£49,282 - £54,495) per annum
Sandwell Council is seeking an experienced and visionary Modern Slavery and Violence Prevention Programme Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner