Midlothian Looks To Germany For Social Workers

Four social workers from Germany have been recruited by Midlothian Council. In the wake of the damning HMIe report on child protection services, the council is investing in employing and retaining social work staff. Funding arrangements were announced in the recent budget for additional staff.

The council has been forced to recruit from mainland Europe due to a United Kingdom shortage of social workers. Council Leader Adam Montgomery, the recently-appointed social work spokesman, said: “There is a clearly identified national shortage of social workers in the UK and all authorities are seeking to recruit from the same pool of qualified candidates.

“From the total of 11 social work posts which Midlothian Council is recruiting for, four social workers from Germany have so far been appointed through a recruitment agency. These are permanent posts with the first two starting work in April.”

Councillor Montgomery added that any social worker working in Scotland had to be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council and meet its qualifying standards.

In addition, language ability would be assessed during the selection process.