Social workers are being lured away from Dumfries and Galloway because other councils offer better salaries – and financial incentives.
Some local authorities even offer lucrative payments up front, which are known in the sector as “the golden welcome”, which may also be contributing to the worrying shortage of social workers in the south west.
The struggle to retain and recruit enough social workers was on the agenda again at the council’s social work services committee.
A workforce plan for 2022-25, which has been produced to try and address these issues, revealed that the pay range for Dumfries and Galloway Council social workers is between £35,067 and £38,319.
Described as “less than competitive” when compared to other Scottish local authorities, it was also explained that social work counterparts across the border offer a top salary of around £10,000 more per annum.
Lillian Cringles, the council’s chief social work officer, said: “I don’t have the Carlisle figures but I’m aware that Cumbria has a starting salary of £37,000.
“The real issue is that their top salary goes up to over £48,000 – and that’s a real challenge for us.
“We get workers coming to us, they do their training, we invest in them.
“But then, of course, there’s that opportunity – because they’re so highly-skilled – that when they go across the border they get the offer of a higher salary.
“Currently, south of the border a lot of local authorities are also doing what would be classed as ‘the golden welcome’. They’re encouraging people to go and work with them for a period of time for a kind of payment up front.
“So, we certainly have a challenge sitting on the border.”
The authority’s human resources team is re-evaluating social worker salaries, however any changes have to be weighed up properly because increases may affect the whole council pay structure.
Nith Councillor David Slater asked for more information on why there is a social worker crisis in Dumfries and Galloway.
He said: “Is it shortage of staff, is it salaries, or heavy workloads, or the lack of career promotion that causes the problem?”
Ms Cringles responded: “It’s a combination. We certainly have some challenges with the salary, and we do have huge caseloads.
“Promotion, I’d say, is not. We have lots of opportunities for development.
“On average, social workers only stay in the profession up to six years, and that’s a combination of the challenges. It’s a very difficult career.
“The burden on the social workers is growing, as well as dealing with some very challenging cases. Our referrals are increasing and the complexity is increasing as society changes.”
The department’s workforce plan for 2022-25 is aimed at attracting more staff and bringing more stability over the next three years.
According to the report, this may involve working more closely with local business support, career services, employment programmes, and strengthening connections with other third sector organisations.
Councillors endorsed the social work services workforce plan and agreed to receive updates every six months on its impact.
