Haringey offers pay rise to social workers in children services

Haringey is widening the pay difference between social workers
in children and family services and those working with adults,
writes David Brown.

The move is part of a £3.5 million package announced by the
council to recruit and retain staff by making them among the best
paid in the country.

Newly qualified social workers in the children and family
service will receive a £2,000 rise and team leaders will
receive an extra £4,000.

The widening pay difference means that newly qualified staff
working with children will earn £1,000 more than those working
with adults and older people.

The difference will increase to more than £3,000 for those
with two years post qualification experience and £5,000 for
practice managers.

Haringey is also reintroducing the “senior practitioner” grade
to encourage experienced staff to continue in practice rather than
moving into management.

Difficulties in recruiting and retraining staff were identified
by the Social Services Inspectorate as partially to blame for the
failures in social services. The situation had worsened because of
the inquiry in the death of Victoria Climbie.

A council spokesperson said: “We are very aware that there could
be resentment from staff in adult services, and we will be working
to see what we can offer those staff.

“Pay is just part of a package that we are offering staff which
includes guaranteed study leave and development programmes.”