A social work co-operative set up by a former social worker in Gateshead last year is struggling to recruit locum practitioners.

Walter Young, and his co-founder Dr Guy Turnbull, an expert on social enterprises, are now conducting research to establish the key factors of a healthy workplace.

The co-op was intended supply staff to local authorities at an "affordable" price and waive the fee normally charged by agencies if staff are taken on permanently, but Turnbull said the focus of its work so far had been dealing with complaints and fostering assessments.

Read the complete post at http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/social-work-blog/2010/02/gateshead-co-op-aims-to-remode.html