Issue - meetings

Report CS14078

On 3^rd February 2010 the Executive had agreed a package of measures to support better recruitment and retention of children’s social workers. The strategy was to increase the recruitment of qualified social workers, reduce the numbers leaving the Council and reduce dependency on agency workers. The scheme had been extended for the 2014/15 financial year, and in view of employment market conditions it was considered appropriate and necessary for it to be continued.

Members asked whether certain factors were making it harder for Bromley to recruit and retain qualified social workers, such as lower pay or a perception of Bromley as a commissioning authority. Officers confirmed that all authorities were experiencing difficulties in recruiting, and it was not possible to discern any overall pattern for why staff left.

The overall approach was to put a package together which made Bromley an attractive place to work. This included offering a good career path, excellent supervision and development opportunities. There was a danger of “burn out” in many frontline roles, so it was important that sideways moves to other teams were available. The Council was working with other London Authorities to ensure that they were not just outbidding each other on salaries. Funding was available to continue the scheme for a further two years, but after that it was unclear how it could be funded. 

RESOLVED that the proposal that the current scheme be extended for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years by utilising the residual funding from the LAA reward grant from the agreed recruitment and retention package for 2010/14, including the proposed enhancements set out in Appendix B to the report, be supported.