Council Can’t Keep Its Social Workers

A council lost nearly one in five of its social workers from its child-protection section last year, it has emerged. Wrexham council says 10 people left their posts in 2006-07, representing a 17.5% turnover rate.

A council report says, “The reasons for the departure of these staff are complex and range from other agencies with better conditions than the council, to staff who decide the nature of the work and inherent pressures are not for them.”

Experienced staff are being replaced by newly qualified social workers who “require a significant period of induction and professional development before they are competent and confident,” adds the report.