Councils spending millions on agency social workers
0The drastic shortage of children’s social workers has led to councils spending millions on agency staff.
Freedom of Information requests revealed local authorities are now spending more than £335m a year on agency workers.
The replies revealed 26 councils are getting more than 30% of their children’s social work staff from agencies because they are unable to find permanent employees.
Sector leaders warned government funding cuts meant wages could not compete with agency rates.