New resources and tools published by the Department for Education (DfE) aim to support the implementation of the child and family agency social worker statutory guidance and the employer standards.
Developed by Research in Practice, Essex County Council and King’s College, London with the invaluable support of local government, the resources aim to support:
- The implementation of new statutory guidance for child and family agency social workers.
- Employers to meet the standards for employers of social workers.
Hosted by the Local Government Association, the standards set out what employers are expected to do to support social workers. The resources include:
Helping social work leaders meet employer standards and support their workforce
The employer standards resources are designed to help employers understand the standards for employers of social workers in England and take action to meet them. The resources refer to research evidence and policy priorities and aim to:
- Improve social work services.
- Boost recruitment and retention.
- Encourage career progression.
Helping social work leaders manage their agency workforce
The agency workforce resources aim to support local authorities to:
- Improve the stability and quality of the child and family social worker workforce.
- Encourage better relationships between agency child and family social workers and the children and families they support.
Statutory guidance for local authorities on the use of agency child and family social workers came into effect on 31 October as part of DfE workforce reforms.
The agency workforce resources should be useful to regional improvement and innovation alliances. Workforce leads are encouraged to use the resources and share their experiences with the DfE.
The resources were developed for children and family social workers and employers, but the standards are also relevant to employers of social workers who work in adult social care.
Valuing the social worker workforce
The children’s social care sector is facing significant social worker retention pressures and challenges with child and family social worker recruitment. Research in Practice is leading a partnership with King’s College, London, and Essex County Council to deliver several Department for Education reforms.