DfE seeks views on the draft guidance for local authorities on the use of agency social workers

The Department for Education has launched a consultation on new statutory guidance for the use of agency social workers by local authority children’s services.

This consultation, which closes on 28 February,  seeks views on draft guidance for the engagement of agency social workers by councils following a series of recommendations made in the Care Review around curtailing their use.

It also seeks to increase the notice period of agency social workers to align with that of local authority social workers after concerns from the sector that agency staff could leave a post with as little as one-weeks’ notice.

If passed, the guidance is set to come into force this autumn.

See here for further information and a link to the DfE’s online survey.