Social work vacancies in Scotland fall

Social worker vacancy rates in Scotland have fallen to 5.8%, Scottish government statistics show.

A staff census of all local authorities in October 2009 showed 324 social work vacancies, down 7% on the 384 in 2008.

The number of frontline social workers had increased by more than 3% to 5,235. However, there has been a slight decrease in the overall number of social services staff, including backroom employees.

Edinburgh and Glasgow councils were unable to provide information on the number of vacancies, so the government used the latest available figures.

Scotland’s children’s minister, Adam Ingram, said the figures reflected improved training and a focus on promoting the rewards of a career in social work.

“However, we must continue to work with the sector to ensure that it attracts and retains the right people with the right skills to provide the best possible care for Scotland’s vulnerable people, their families and communities,” he added.

An investigation by Community Care into vacancy rates in children’s and adults’ services departments in England found 10.9% of posts were vacant in April 2009.

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