Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report produced in response to a request for an update on recruitment and retention issues that were detailed in the final Ofsted report published in February 2013. 

The Committee was reminded that the recent Ofsted inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers highlighted that there was a need for priority and immediate action to ‘develop and put into operation a comprehensive workforce strategy to attract and keep high quality, experienced permanent staff in Slough’.  Officers had reacted by drafting an action plan (attached to the report as an appendix) and setting up a working party of key personnel from across the Council to ensure that the recruitment and retention of permanent staff is co-ordinated and acted upon as a matter of urgency.

The Committee acknowledged that there were a number of reasons why Slough had experienced difficulties in attracting good quality permanent staff in the past, including:

• The national shortage of Child and Family Social Workers.
• The geographical location of Slough, with fierce competition from surrounding authorities for a finite pool of workers.
• Poor reputation and profile stemming from previous Ofsted reports deeming the Authority as ‘inadequate’.
• Poor market profile compared to competitors.

The Committee noted the broad range of initiatives either underway or planned to attract new workers and retain existing staff.  It was clear there was no easy, ‘quick fix’ solution to the recruitment and retention problem but rather it was necessary to build an attractive, comprehensive package that could be offered to potential applicants and staff.

Members were very pleased to see the progress on developing an ongoing annual Newly Qualified Social Work scheme that ensures a regular stream of social workers for the future.  There were currently five newly qualified staff in their Assessed and Supported Year Employment (ASYE) and a practice mentor was to be recruited to develop this year on year and manage an academy for new workers.  Links with local Universities had been established to improve channels for recruitment.  When further progress had been made on improving the overall package, it was planned to hold sessions with the locum staff so they could explore individually the benefits of becoming a permanent member of staff.

The Committee considered that access to housing for new staff was a significant benefit and further efforts should be made to make this happen.

Resolved –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Cabinet be RECOMMENDED to explore the offer of key worker housing as part of the package offered to assist recruitment of Child and Family Social Workers.

(c)  That this work should be completed as soon as practicably possible.