Proposals to tackle the workforce crisis facing the sector have been drawn up by the Local Government Association (LGA).
The association’s executive advisory board heard that all of the LGA’s policy boards had highlighted ‘significant workforce capacity challenges’.
At a meeting last week, Hannah Dalton, Epsom & Ewell BC councillor and human resources professional, said: ‘We are not the only sector facing this problem.
'This is going to carry on affecting us as a sector and a country.’
Enfield LBC leader Nesil Caliskan added: ‘That we are so dependent on agency staff for some of our most vulnerable services is breathtaking.’
Proposals for a sector-wide plan include new research to map education and training providers.
The LGA will also press for a recruitment campaign on a par with defence and teaching, workforce strategies, plans for social care and education, and more flexibility for apprenticeship levy spending.
Workforce adviser Sarah Ward said it was a ‘strategic’ and ‘long-term’ approach.
However, a report to the meeting warned: ‘Consideration needs to be given as to how this activity can be resourced, in light of other work.’
LGA chairman James Jamieson said: ‘We are not going to be able to do everything all at once.'
Leader of the LGA's Lib Dem Group, Joe Harris, was in no doubt over who should be footing the bill, adding: ‘We need to be quite robust with the Government.
'You have to fund us properly.
‘It’s the elephant in the room.’
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
