The Assistant Director of Children and Families presented the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education which detailed the strategy difficulties in recruitment of social workers. The Strategy set out how the Council would attract, retain and support a stable and committed workforce. Governance arrangements and performance were also detailed.

Members queried details in the report which confirmed

·  Agency workers did not just cover vacancies but also covered maternity and sick leave

·  Agency workers accounted for around 16% of the workforce

·  There was an intention to continue an apprenticeship programme to grow our own social workers.

Resolved – That:

(1)  the Social Care Workforce Strategy 2022-2025 attached at appendix A to the report be endorsed; and,

(2)  an update be received in 12 months on the progress towards implementation of the Strategy.