Social work co-operative plan for north east England

The pilot, which is aiming to plug gaps in the social work profession, is being run by a group, including a former social worker, who want to supply high quality, temporary staff to local authorities and give social workers an opportunity to benefit from better terms and conditions.

Business development director and social economy consultant Dr Guy Turnbull, Carol Bell, a social enterprise expert, and Walter Young, founder and co-director of the not-for-profit agency Team Fostering are heading up the team.

Explaining the initiative Turnbull said: "What the co-operative will offer is completely unique. Firstly the temporary staff will have a profit share and a minority stake in the enterprise.

"Unlike a typical locum agency, it will offer all temporary workers the opportunity to share in the profits of the business."

The group, which has received funding from the Social Enterprise Loan Fund, hopes external shareholders will ensure higher levels of investment in support, guidance and supervision systems available to the temporary staff.

Once the format has been tested in the region the group hopes to roll out a number of similar social work agencies across the UK.

Any social worker wanting to find out more information can call 0845 313 8452.