Agencies settle database case

A social work recruitment agency has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to a rival which accused it of using client details from its database.

Action First settled out of court with Socialwork Line, which claimed it had lost hundreds of thousands of pounds as a result of alleged data theft.

Richard Pomerenke, founder and managing director of Socialwork Line, said: “I know of other agencies that had similar problems [with other firms] but cannot afford to take action.”

He added that the money would be donated to charities.

Action First said the companies had “resolved their differences”.