Adult social workers strike over recruitment payments for children’s services staff

The payment is offered to all children and family social workers “in eligible posts” as an annual uplift for those with two years or more service at the council.

A separate £3,000 recruitment payment is also offered to children and family social workers who have completed their assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE), paid following the completion of a three to-six-month probationary period.

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However, the same payments are not extended to those working with adults and occupational therapists, trade union Unison has said.

Workers have so-far staged six days of strikes over the issue with Unison arguing that “more staff should receive the supplement”. The latest strike took place on 12 June.

Dan Smart, branch secretary of Unison South Gloucestershire said: “Of course, we support pay rises for all workers, but when my colleagues and I at South Gloucestershire council found out we were to be underpaid by £3,000 per year in comparison to children’s social workers, we felt insulted and angry.

“Adult social workers have exactly the same qualifications as children’s and are facing very similar challenges in recruitment and retention.

“With the cost-of-living crisis, many are having to vote with their feet and go to where the pay is better. Some of our members have had to take second jobs just to make ends meet for their families.”

A South Gloucestershire council spokesman said: “We are disappointed that Unison has proceeded with strike action, given our continuing focus on delivering our workplace action plan which addresses issues staff tell us matter most. Staff in all roles in adult social care undertake vitally important work in our communities in South Gloucestershire.

“We very much hope that Unison will continue to engage with us on the actions agreed after the last period of industrial action.”

Social Workers Union (SWU) general secretary, John McGowan, said: "SWU offers solidarity with the Unison social work members who are striking, it is important that employers listen to their employee's and ensure any retention measures are applied fairly. Legally we are not able to instruct our members to strike. We would be happy to work with Unison to support social workers further and offer our involvement. 

"The workforce is under extreme stress from a multitude of pressures including a rising demand of services, lack of funding and resources, and a reduction in staff. Within this climate we simply cannot afford to create an environment that fosters division between our social workers. What we need is solidarity and that comes through better working conditions and fairer pay for all.”

A recent investigation by CYP Now, based on the responses to a Freedom of Information request sent to all 151 top-tier English local authorities, found that more than one in 10 councils now offers a retention package to social workers often in teams with high turnovers.

In 2022, children’s services lost 5,400 full-time equivalent social workers, up almost a tenth on the previous year, latest Department for Education figures show.

The figures reveal that the number of social workers has fallen for the first time since 2017 while both caseloads and sickness rates increase.

Of the 95 councils that responded, almost one third now offer a recruitment payment – known as “golden hellos” – of at least £1,000 to attract staff, with 45 per cent introducing them in the last three years.