NEWS POLITICS

Use of agency staff is dropping

The number of costly agency staff being used by Social Services in Powys is falling, councillors have been told.

1 year ago   2 minutes read    1,864 views

The image for Use of agency staff is dropping
 
Share            Listen to the story

By Elgan Hearn
Local Democracy Reporter


The number of costly agency staff being used by Social Services in Powys is falling, councillors have been told.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Health and Care scrutiny committee on Thursday, April 11 councillors were given an update on how the council is “growing its own” social workers and how this is helping staff recruitment and retention in the departments.


  Other Trending Stories

    Senior manager for safeguarding and quality assurance for children’s services, Holly Gordon explained the process where the council supports people to follow social work qualification courses.

    This includes degree and master’s degree courses and the council provides practical learning opportunities.

    Dr Gordon said: “In terms of starter and leaver rates over ther last 12 months there has been a change in that we’re recruiting more people than leavers which is really positive.

    “This is having an impact on our agency social work rates in children’s services – and a gradual reduction is happening.

    “We are projecting that will continue based on our grow our own outcomes.”

    The report showed that over a two year period the numbers of agency staff working for the council had fallen from 49 in March 2022, to 21 by this March.

    Dr Gordon said that in 2021 children’s services had 15 student placements which had increased to 30 by 2024, with 25 of these being council employees.

    Dr Gordon said: “This year we are expecting eight newly qualified social workers to come out of this programme for children’s (services) and five for adult’s (services).”

    Committee vice-chairman and member of Independents for Powys group, Cllr Gareth E Jones asked for the difference in cost between agency and staff social workers.

    “Just so we can get our head around that, ” said Cllr Jones.

    Head of children’s social services, Sharon Powell said: “Roughly agency staff is double and more the salary of the permanent member of staff.

    “But we can get you the specifics and do a cost analysis of the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly rates of agency staff, I can forward you that data.”

    She added that less than 20 per cent of the staff are made up of agency workers.

    Ms Powell added: “The trajectory is coming down all the time and this year with our cohort of eight that number will become lower.

    But Ms Powell said that there will “always be a need” for agency staff because of work turnover.

    Committee chairwoman, Conservative Cllr Amanda Jenner said: “Generally the data is looking really positive, and things seem to be moving in the right directions.”

    The committee noted the report.

    You've viewed 1 stories so far!

    All About Newtown is an independent not-for-profit online news and information service for the town of Newtown in Mid Wales. We provide ad-free content, so rely on reader subscriptions and donations to run.

      Donate via PayPal

    Related or similar stories based on this one

    Image for the article Long term plans for flood hit Severn communities
    Long term plans for flood hit Severn communities

    1 year ago

    Image for the article Newtown based staff celebrate exam success
    Newtown based staff celebrate exam success

    3 months ago

    Image for the article Criticism over free leisure offer for council staff
    Criticism over free leisure offer for council staff

    2 years ago

    Business of the Week
    Ted's

    Bear Lanes

    Follow us

    Connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Google News

         

    Trending
    Donate to us

    We're a not-for-profit community interest company and have no corporate owners. We'd appreciate anything you can give to keep us providing free content.

      Donate via PayPal
    Upcoming Events
    Harry Hill: New Bits & Greatest Hits

    01/05/25 06:00pm

    Digital Friends’ Group

    08/05/25 10:30am

    Newtown 10k 2025

    25/05/25 08:40am

    Latest Stories
    See what's on next week in our area (W17)

    4 days ago

    New revised day opportunities described as "hazy".

    1 week ago

    School govenors could be asked to do more

    1 week ago