CYP Now - Regional approach to staff recruitment

Latest Department for Education workforce data shows that while the number of children's social workers rose three per cent last year, staff turnover, vacant posts and use of agency practitioners remained stubbornly high.

The data shows that the Yorkshire and Humber region has some of the best key social worker workforce statistics in England.

Vacancy rates are eight per cent (17 per cent England average), agency use is 7.8 per cent (15.8 per cent) and staff turnover is 11.7 per cent (15 per cent).

Here, Melanie John-Ross, service director, children's social care and safeguarding team at Barnsley Council, explains how the 15 local authorities in Yorkshire and Humber have tackled these issues by taking a regional approach.

"In 2009/10, staff morale was at an all-time low and many social workers had left the profession, resulting in an unprecedented reliance on agency workers.

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