Decision ref
0044 2025/26
Decision date
13/10/2025
Portfolio
Children and Young People
Wards
All wards
Title
Agency Staffing for Children's Social Care Quarter 2
Summary
To agree the retrospective usage of up to 45 agency staffing for Children’s Social Care Services; this is inclusive of Social Workers, Team Managers, Safeguarding Roles and other staff, for Quarter 2of the current financial year. This number ensures that statutory responsibilities and safe service delivery are maintained.
Purpose
Historically requests for Children’s Services agency staffing were submitted via the Operation Decision System (previously known as Admin Decision). This process was ceased by the CEX at the time, and whilst there remained a decision-making process and audit trail in place within the Service, the Internal Audit review recommended the reintroduction of Designated Decision Making (DED) approval for all agency workers.
This DED for Quarter 2, is in response to the Internal Audit Review recommendation and is the retrospective request for agency staffing for Children's Social Care Services. An action plan has been developed that sets out work and timelines to reduce the number of agency social workers over the next two years.
Background
Children’s Services continues to face recruitment and retention challenges in key frontline roles, which has necessitated the use of agency staff to maintain safe staffing levels. However, the cost of agency workers is significantly higher than equivalent permanent staff, placing sustained pressure on the directorate budget. In Quarter 1 the service had up to 53 agency staff across Children's Social Care, of these 44 were Social Workers.
The average weekly cost of an agency social worker is £1,800 where has the average weekly cost of an employed social worker is £1,280. For 24/25 there was an estimated pressure of approximately £1.812m in respect of the social care workforce.
A review of current staffing arrangements has been undertaken with a view to:
- Reducing reliance on agency staff where safe and appropriate
- Targeted campaigns to promote recruitment to permanent roles
- Targeted promotion to recruit newly qualified social workers including the enhanced Social Work Academy offer.
- Ensuring manageable caseloads and continued statutory compliance
- Reviewing processes to ensure recruitment and onboarding is efficient and timely.
This decision supports the Council’s strategic aim to stabilise the workforce and reduce agency dependency, while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Children's Services have developed an action plan with timelines that set out the trajectory of savings over the next two years to bring the budget in line with staff and spend, ensuring that statutory obligations, service continuity and the safety of children and families are maintained.
The initial focus will be reducing the equivalent of the six supernumerary roles and operating within the establishment. The service plans to reduce social work agency usage by 15 staff in year one and 10 staff in year two.
This, and future DED's, will request agency staffing, thereby meeting the Internal Audit review's recommendation and will help evidence the reduction in agency usage over time.
Conclusion
This decision supports a controlled and responsible reduction in the use of agency staffing across Childrens Social Care reflecting the need to address rising financial pressures while maintaining the statutory service delivery and safeguarding standards. By retaining agency workers only in essential roles and committing to regular workforce reviews, the Council can ensure a safe transition toward a more stable and sustainable permanent work force.
Risk Implications
Reducing agency staffing poses a risk to service continuity, caseload management, and statutory compliance if not managed carefully. There is a potential for increased pressure on permanent staff, delays in assessments, and a negative impact on workforce morale.
Measures to Redress Risk
To mitigate these risks, reductions will be phased and closely monitored through fortnightly HR & Service meetings (Chaired by AD for CSCS). Agency staff will be retained in critical roles, and safe caseload thresholds will be upheld. Workforce planning will remain dynamic, with escalation routes in place for Heads of Service to request short-term agency support where necessary to manage operational risk.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact Paula Swindlehurst on 01744 671028
