CYP Now - Extend proposed local agency ban for social workers to six months, urges ADCS

Plans to ban children’s social workers joining an agency within three months of leaving a council in the same area should be extended to six months or more, says the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).

Social workers who leave local authorities should not be able to join neighbouring agencies for six months, ADCS says. Picture: Adobe Stock

It says this practice - known as a "cool off" period - “has already been adopted across some regions” and “has been effective in removing incentives for permanently employed social workers to join agencies”.

The ADCS has made the recommendation to lengthen the ban as part of its response to a government consultation on plans to bring in national rules on the use of agency child and family social workers by councils. This closes on 11 May.

The Department for Education is also being called on to consider extending this ban further to include staff working in councils in neighbouring areas, particularly in regions with a high concentration of local authorities, such as Greater London and Greater Manchester.

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