Search on for Isle of Wight social workers

A RECRUITMENT campaign has been launched to attract experienced social workers to work with children and young people on the Isle of Wight.
Isle of Wight Council said it wants to attract qualified, experienced and effective social workers to live and work on the Island as part of plans to improve child protection following a damning Ofsted report that said children had been left at risk by the authority’s failings.

Advertisements will be placed in professional publications, on social media and in newspapers in London and other areas.

The council hopes the campaign will fill current vacancies and reduce the reliance on agency and interim staff.

The recruitment campaign will run alongside the Step Up programme, which seeks to fast-track the best performing social work graduates into positions on the Island.

Cllr Richard Priest, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The Ofsted inspection made it clear the service was not up to standard and that urgent improvement was required.

“Crucially, we will be making sure we have the right number of qualified, experienced and dedicated staff where they are needed.”

Salaries will be between £28,827 and £38,155, including market supplements and benefits, such as discounted ferry and bus travel and membership to gym facilities.

“We are doing all we can — and looking wherever we have to — to get the very best team in place to bring about the improvement we require,” added Cllr Priest.