Figures released by the Department for Education show that, as of 30 September 2014, there were 4,320 vacant full-time children’s social worker posts across English councils.
This compares with 3,610 in 2013, an increase of 19.7 per cent.
However, the total number of children’s social workers employed by English councils has actually increased from 24,890 in 2013 to 26,810 in 2014 – a rise of 7.7 per cent.
This is partly reflected in greater use of agency social workers – up from 3,390 in 2013 to 4,430, a rise of 30.1 per cent.
The figures also show that social workers are leaving their jobs more frequently. During 2013, 15 per cent of children’s social workers left their job, compared with 17 per cent in 2014.
Many local authorities have struggled to attract suitable candidates to fill vacant social worker posts for a number of years.
Some have resorted to offering incentive payments and retention bonuses.
And last week, CYP Now reported that Buckinghamshire and several other local authorities are starting to recruit overseas to fill vacancies.
The authority currently has 60 vacant social work positions, of which 50 are filled by costly agency staff on a temporary basis.
It is looking to appoint 20 new members of staff from Romania.
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