CYP Now - Social workers threaten to leave profession over plans to curtail use of agencies

Social workers employed by agencies say they will leave the profession if the government implements proposals to reduce the use of freelance staff.

Agency social workers say they chose the route due to increased pay and flexibility. Picture: Adobe Stock

In its response to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the Department for Education put forward plans for measures to curtail the role of agencies in the sector.

Proposals include a cap on agency workers’ pay rates, the introduction of national agency pay scales and a requirement of a minimum of five years’ post qualifying experience before working as a freelance.

It comes following an investigation by CYP Now which revealed a 10-fold rise in agency social work teams being used by local authorities between 2017 and 2022.

However, a survey of agency social workers by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), finds that most predict the impact of the plans will see colleagues quit and children receive worse care.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included