Social worker recruitment campaign reduces staff deficit

Local
authority efforts to train more social workers to end the capacity crisis in
the sector has resulted in a 1.5 per cent fall in the vacancy rate, according
to new figures.

The
latest Social Services Workforce Survey shows local authorities are spending
159 per cent more on training social workers – a total of £11m.

The
increase in spending has allowed the numbers studying to rise by 68 per cent,
and the numbers qualifying to more than double.

Charles
Nolda, executive director of the local government Employers’ Organisation said:
"The results of this survey underline the success that local authorities
have had in developing their capacity to analyse workforce issues and to devise
effective local solutions.

"A
lot still needs to be done to ensure that workforce planning becomes embedded
in authorities’ strategic approaches to workforce capacity issues," he
added.

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www.lg-employers.gov.uk

By Michael Millar