“We have today (12 September) published new statutory guidance for local authorities on the use of agency child and family social workers. We have also published the government’s response to the consultation on the statutory guidance and updated data and price caps operational guidance.
Quality social work transforms lives, but relationships and trust take time to build. While agency child and family social workers are valued members of the workforce, they cannot be a long-term replacement for a permanent stable workforce.
That is why 12 September DfE published statutory guidance for local authorities on the use of agency child and family social workers alongside the government response to the consultation that informed this guidance, and updated data and price caps operational guidance. The statutory guidance describes a set of rules that collectively set out what local authorities should do when using agency child and family social workers. The consistency this brings to the market is aimed to benefit all parties. This milestone is testament to the collaboration and dedication of many in the sector who have helped shape the reforms, and strengthens the existing regional agreements already established across England. Together, supported by new data on agency pay and clear governance, we can build on our strengths as local, regional and national government to shape the market and deliver a sustainable workforce for our children and families.
DfE look forward to continuing working with the sector to make a success of implementation and will be scheduling workshops with stakeholder groups in October ahead of the guidance coming into effect 31 October. The team can be reached at swagency.consultation@education.gov.uk
We understand that, alongside these reforms, social workers need the right environment to thrive personally and professionally. We are therefore supporting social worker recruitment and retention together with the work councils are undertaking locally and regionally to provide positive working environments.“