Haringey recruits US social workers to children’s services

Haringey council has recruited social workers from America to boost the quality of children’s services and rely less on agency staff.

Between now and the new year, 22 qualified and experienced social workers from the US will join children’s services in permanent positions, bringing the number of social workers at the London council to 200, making it fully staffed.

Councillor Lorna Reith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “With the plans we have in place, we hope this will be the beginning of a long and rewarding arrangement for both the social workers and the young people of Haringey.”

Domestic recruits

It will also mean a reduction in the number agency workers hired by the council.

“In October 2009, we had 188 social workers, with 54 being agency staff – that agency figure has now fallen,” a Haringey spokesperson said. “We’re looking to reduce the number of agency staff we use, though there will continue to be roles for some of them.”

Haringey has also recently appointed 11 permanent staff in a domestic recruitment campaign, including five managers.


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