Attracting Children’s Social Workers A Challenge For Councils

Councils are still facing significant problems in attracting enough social workers for their children’s services functions, a new study has found.

Research by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals that although recruitment and retention problems have eased in most sectors over the last year, the area of children’s social workers remains a significant problem.

The body found that two-thirds of councils reported problems in recruiting staff to work in children’s services, around double the amount that had difficulty filling adult social worker vacancies.

Councillor Margret Eaton, chairman of the LGA, stated that the recent Baby P case means it is even more vital that steps are taken to improve the services that councils offer.

“Striving to maintain the status quo is not nearly good enough; we have to aspire to reduce the numbers of children who suffer and die in this country as a result of abuse and neglect,” she said.

However, there is a risk that after events in Haringey there will be “a short, intensive period of soul-searching and recrimination” when what is really needed is a continued focus on the area, coupled with significantly increased investment, Ms Eaton added.

Last month, an investigation by the Commission for Social Care Inspection found that councils improved adult care services for the sixth year in a row, but are facing increasing financial pressures.