Social worker numbers in Scotland at record high
The number of social workers in Scotland has risen to an all-time high, according to official statistics published today.
New figures show that while there was a slight decrease in the overall number of social service staff, which includes backroom staff, there was an increase of more than three per cent in frontline social workers.
There were 5,235 whole time equivalent (WTE) qualified social workers in 2009 compared to 5,072 the previous year, an increase of 3.2 per cent. This follows several years of falling vacancy rates and increasing numbers of social workers. Overall, the number of social workers is now 35 per cent higher than a decade ago.
Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, said: “Social work services provide vital support to some of our most vulnerable people. That is why I am delighted that today’s figures show a record number of frontline social workers, working on the frontline and that vacancies are continuing to fall.
“This demonstrates that improved training and a focus on promoting the rewards of a career in social work are paying dividends.
“However, we must continue to work with the sector to ensure that it attracts and retains the right people with the right skills to provide the best possible care for Scotland?s vulnerable people, their families and communities.”
The latest statistics also reveal that the estimated vacancy rates for social workers has fallen again to 5.8 per cent (or 324 WTE posts), a decrease on last year?s rate of seven per cent (384 WTE posts). This represents a sizeable drop from a high of 12.8 per cent (603 WTE posts) in 2003.
Background
The Scottish Government provides 35 million pounds a year in college courses supporting social work services sector as well as six million pounds a year in centres for excellence to provide training and support in areas such as residential childcare and substance misuse.
For a copy of the Official Statistics (Scotland) publication contact John Robertson on 0131 244 4001.
