CYP Now - Opinion: Vox Pop - Should new social workers be offered golden hellos?

Stoke-on-Trent City Council recently announced frontline children's social workers would receive 4,000 simply for joining. However, some professionals believe offering financial incentives can give the wrong impression.

YES - Graham Holley, chief executive, Training and Development Agency for Schools

Golden hellos have a very positive and sustained impact on teacher recruitment, especially in the hardest-to-reach subjects such as maths and science.

Since the golden hello incentive was introduced in 2002, teacher numbers have grown annually and the national vacancy rate has halved.

NO - Ian Johnston, chief executive, British Association of Social Workers

They are gimmicks. What we really need is good working conditions for everybody and recognition for the loyal people who stick around. Some workers are in a personal situation where they can't jump from one authority to another and many are committed to the people they serve and don't want to be moving around to the detriment of service users.

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