The number of agency social workers employed in children's services across England is at an all-time high. With 7,200 full-time equivalent agency workers in post as of September 2023, locums now make up 17.8% of the workforce – record figures that many in the sector argue are problematic.
Firstly, agency workers cost more to employ, adding to the budgetary pressures cash-strapped councils already face.
Secondly, there are issues around continuity of care as agency workers are often on short-term contracts. For vulnerable children who find it difficult to build trusting relationships, changing social workers can be distressing, especially at short notice.
In an effort to shift the balance, the government introduced new statutory guidance on the employment of agency children and family social workers at the end of October 2024.
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