Council launches Romanian recruitment drive to fill social work vacancies

The move is part of an ongoing improvement plan adopted by Buckinghamshire County Council after Ofsted rated the department as “inadequate” last year.

Inspectors highlighted high caseloads for social workers and use of temporary managers as particular areas of concern, claiming that too many children were being left at risk.

Last week the authority announced it is offering children’s social workers incentive payments of more than £5,000 to join, as well as retention bonuses of £3,250 for existing social care workers.

It has now emerged that the authority has broadened its search for staff, launching recruitment campaigns in Romania and Northern Ireland.

A progress report due to be discussed by politicians at the authority on Monday (23 February) reveals that if the council is unable to attract and retain experienced and qualified staff, it will be unable to meet the improvement plan targets and improve children’s safeguarding.

“To recruit and retain permanent social work staff, a new package of terms and conditions have been approved and national and overseas recruitment campaigns have been launched,” the document states.

It adds that the recruitment campaigns have been launched in both Romania and Northern Ireland, to "ensure all children have a permanent social worker".