LGA finds social work still remain councils’ biggest recruitment and retention challenge

A survey conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) has found that social worker recruitment and retention remains local authorities’ biggest challenge.

The results, based on responses from 59 of the 153 councils with social services responsibilities, are similar to those recorded in previous LGA workforce surveys in 2023 and 2022 that all highlighted authorities’ particular challenges finding and keeping hold of social workers.

The study found:

·         80% reported these difficulties in relation to children’s social workers, the highest of any staffing group.

·         77% said the same in relation to adult social workers, making it the second biggest problem area.

·         63% cited challenges in attracting mental health social workers.

Regarding retention these three social work roles also represented councils’ biggest areas of challenge, with 80% citing difficulties in relation to children’s practitioners, 61% in relation to adults’ staff and 52% in respect of mental health workers.