Social work remains councils’ biggest recruitment and retention challenge, survey finds

Social workers continue to be English local authorities’ biggest recruitment and retention challenge, research has found. Majorities of authorities reported challenges attracting or holding onto social workers across all of children’s services, adults’ services and mental health, found the Local Government Association (LGA) survey, carried out from October to December 2024. The results, based on responses from 59 of the 153 councils with social services responsibilities, are similar to those recorded in previous LGA workforce surveys in 2023 and 2022 that all highlighted authorities’ particular challenges finding and keeping hold of social workers. They come despite reductions in vacancies in both children’s and adults’ services in the year to September 2024, though staff shortages remain significant, particularly in children’s services, according to official figures. Read more.