Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 47
47
Acknowledged
Develop comprehensive workforce strategy to improve recruitment, retention, and training across children's social care.
Conclusion
The Department for Education should develop a workforce strategy for children’s social care setting out how it will improve recruitment, retention and training across the children’s social care workforce, including social workers, residential care workers, personal advisers, educational psychologists, health visitors, and personal assistants. This should include measures such as increased pay, bursaries for studying and training, and improving awareness of the different roles within children’s social care. (Recommendation, Paragraph 113)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the importance of the workforce and described ongoing initiatives like the Families First Partnership Programme, graduate training, and reviews of post-qualifying standards and residential care qualifications. However, it did not commit to developing an overarching workforce strategy or new measures such as increased pay or bursaries, stating pay and staffing remain local authority responsibility.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We recognise the critical importance of the children’s social care workforce and are committed to improving recruitment, retention and training across the sector. While pay and staffing remain the responsibility of local authorities and providers, we are supporting the sector through provision of advice and practical tools, in addition to national programmes. Through the Families First Partnership Programme, we are working with local and national partners to gather evidence and shape future workforce support, including enhanced training pathways, professional development, and recruitment strategies. We train an average of 850 new social workers each year through our national graduate training programmes: Approach Social Work and Step Up to Social Work. We have recently consulted on new post-qualifying standards (PQS) and induction support to strengthen early-career development, recognising the importance of this stage of a social workers career and providing opportunities to focus on important areas of practice, including working with disabled children and their families. For residential care, we are reviewing qualifications and training access to ensure staff are equipped to meet children’s needs and keep them safe.