In the UK, the shortage of skilled social workers is a pressing concern. Most English councils struggle to recruit and retain social workers. It impacts the quality of care and support for vulnerable individuals. Social work and social care are areas of concern as services are projected to continue to see an increase in demand over the coming years.
At the start of the year, the UK Government unveiled a £600 million support package for local councils, with a £500 million boost to the Social Care Grant. This initiative aims to reinforce social care budgets and increase the core spending power for all councils by a minimum of 4%.
Retention and recruitment remain a challenge in 2024. In recent years, social workers have quit in record numbers as they struggle to cope with more challenging caseloads, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost of living crisis. In 2022, 5400 social workers left the profession, marking a 9% increase compared to 2021.
In 2023, Community Care launched a campaign to champion the social work profession. The Choose Social Work campaign showcases the brilliant work social workers do every day. It is one of many initiatives to encourage an uptake in social work careers.
On a global scale, World Social Work Day takes place on 19th March 2024. It celebrates the transformative role of social workers. This year’s theme is ‘Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change’, which is rooted in the Global Social Work Agenda and emphasises the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches.
While there is much going on to entice more social workers to the profession, recruitment in social care remains a challenge. And one that a specialist social work recruitment agency can help with.
Six benefits of using a social work agency include:
1. Understanding the sector
Social care recruitment agencies have an in-depth understanding of the social work landscape. From regulations and sector-specific nuances to the latest trends, social work agencies are well-versed in social work complexities. Specialised knowledge ensures that you are connected with candidates who have the necessary qualifications and align with the values your organisation needs.
2. Access to skilled social work professionals
Finding the right social worker isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about making a positive impact on lives. Collaborating with a social work recruitment agency means tapping into an extensive network of skilled professionals. Morgan Hunt maintains close ties with diverse candidates, ranging from those with experience with local authorities to those from private organisations. This opens doors to various opportunities that may not be accessible through conventional recruitment methods. You can choose from a pool of candidates who align with your organisation's mission and values.
3. Specialist support
One of the key benefits of engaging with a social care recruitment agency is the personalised process. A social work agency invests time in understanding your organisation's needs and culture. By understanding your requirements, they ensure a fit between your team and the selected candidates. This contributes to the effectiveness of your organisation by placing individuals in roles where they can thrive and contribute.
At Morgan Hunt, we recruit for all positions, from front-line staff to management, in sectors including homelessness, mental health, supported housing, young people, and domestic violence. Each sector has a dedicated consultant with specific knowledge and expertise in their field.
4. Streamlined recruitment process
Time is of the essence when you need to fill critical social work positions quickly. For social work clients seeking to strengthen their teams, partnering with a specialised recruitment agency streamlines the hiring process. Morgan Hunt conducts candidate background checks and meticulously pre-screens and vet candidates. This saves your organisation time, budget, and resources. By entrusting the recruitment process to experts, you can concentrate on delivering essential care and support, secure in the knowledge that your team is backed by skilled social care professionals.
5. Helping to fill skills-short areas
The scale of the crisis in children’s social work was shown in figures for 2022 published by the Department for Education. It shows the number of professionals has fallen for the first time since data collection began in 2017 – despite rising need. The Local Government Association 2022 Workforce Survey revealed that more than 8 in 10 councils have difficulties recruiting children’s social workers. Eighty-three per cent of authorities said they had difficulties recruiting children’s social workers. Morgan Hunt has a strong track record of partnering with children’s services across the UK to recruit talented and passionate social workers from overseas into permanent front-line positions.
The findings also revealed that 7 in 10 struggled to recruit adult social care workers. Local authorities’ use of agency social workers in adults’ services rose by a quarter from September 2022 to September 2023, according to Skills for Care figures. To fill gaps in these areas, social work agencies in the UK can help.
6. Continued support post-placement
The relationship doesn’t end once a social worker is hired. Social care recruitment agencies provide ongoing support, ensuring a smooth transition for the social care worker and your organisation. From onboarding to addressing challenges, agencies are committed to long-term success.
Recruit in social care with Morgan Hunt
A social work recruitment agency can offer a long-term solution to improve your hiring strategy. We all understand the critical role that social care workers play in supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Whether you’re part of a local authority, charity, the NHS, or housing association, having access to skilled and dedicated social workers is vital.
At Morgan Hunt, we recruit for public-sector social care jobs as well as private-sector recruitment in areas including:
- Homelessness
- Mental health
- Supported housing
- Domestic violence
- Young people's support
- Children's services
- Adult services
- NHS organisations
- Temporary social work jobs
If you'd like to discuss your current social care recruitment campaign and how we can help, contact us at: socialcare@morganhunt.com