Issue - meetings

The report provided information on the use and cost of agency workers across the Council and the ten highest paid agency workers.  This information was provided to the Committee taking into account the Council’s duty of care for affected individuals and the requirements of the DPA/GDPR Regulations 2018.

In opening the debate, the Chairman welcomed the reduction in the use of agency workers as evidenced in table 1 within the report.

In response to a question concerning whether the use of agency workers could be further reduced, the Director of HR highlighted the ongoing national shortage of experienced qualified social workers which impacted on the Council’s ability to recruit good quality permanent staff.  The Chairman of the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee reported that at its last meeting that Committee had commissioned a piece of work around the various initiatives that were in place to recruit and retain experienced social workers.  The Committee noted that around 85% of social workers with the Department were on permanent contracts the Council was performing very well in comparison with other local authorities.

Members noted that there were a range of reasons why agency staff could be used such as for a time-limited project where specific expertise was required or if a service review was being undertaken.  In such circumstances the use of agency workers represented value for money.  The Chairman asked that future reports provide a slit between social work agency staff and non-social work staff.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.