Nicola Curley, ADCS  Workforce Policy Committee Chair, said:

“ADCS has consistently advocated for national action to effectively manage the agency social work market, ensuring it benefits local authorities and, most importantly, children.

Children and families tell us they benefit from having a consistent worker who builds a strong meaningful relationship with them, yet the short-term nature of agency social work and the level of turnover, including churn amongst agency workers makes this more difficult to achieve.

ADCS is clear social work is not a short-term project; at the heart of good social work with children and families is building long lasting relationships in order to empower those we work with to make positive, sustained changes in their lives.

The guidance that takes effect today sets out clear expectations on pay, references, post-qualifying experience and notice periods amongst other things. These standards will enable us to better support the children and families we work with while enabling some flexibility to remain in terms of what our agency workforce can provide.

ADCS will continue to work with the Department for Education and others on implementing these reforms to ensure they impact positively on children and families and result in the sustainable workforce they both need and deserve.”

ENDS