Agenda item

This report seeks approval to continue with the recruitment and retention payments for social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers in Adult Social Care (ASC), to improve the recruitment and retention of permanent staff, following on from approval of the previous payments in November 2023.

Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy) followed by Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) introduced a report seeking approval to continue with the recruitment and retention payments for social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers in Adult Social Care (ASC), to improve the recruitment and retention of permanent staff, following on from approval of the previous payments in November 2023.

In presenting the report, it was highlighted that the payments had been introduced in response to significant recruitment and retention challenges affecting Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officers. The payments to the Adult and Social Care workforce aimed to reduce reliance on agency staff and increase the number of permanent staff in harder to recruit areas. It was noted that these professional areas continued to experience recruitment difficulties, reflecting wider national pressures. It was further mentioned that the recruitment and retention payments had been in place for almost 3 years and had played an important role in reducing agency reliance and progressing agency staff into permanent roles.

In reviewing the arrangements, the importance of ensuring that the Council continued to attract and retain suitably qualified and experienced staff was emphasised. It was stated that it was essential to ensure that the Council remained competitive within the employment market and continued to attract the right people into the right roles.

It was further highlighted that reducing the use of agency staff and increasing the proportion of permanent employees brought both practical and moral benefits. It was stressed that the report was not solely focused on workforce resources but also reflected the Council's commitment to securing high quality social care provision through the employment of reliable, committed and appropriately compensated professionals.

Having thanked Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy) and Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) for introducing the report, the Chair then moved on to invite questions and comments from the Committee, with the following comments highlighted:

• The Chair noted the challenging labour market conditions affecting Adult Social Care services. It was highlighted that the recruitment and retention payments for Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officers had proven effective in supporting both recruitment and retention efforts. It was further observed that the payments had assisted the Council in converting a number of temporary and agency workers into permanent members of staff, strengthening the Council's workforce and reducing dependency on agency provision.

Having thanked all those involved for their contributions to the discussion and consideration of the item, it was RESOLVED:

(1)  That the Committee agree to the continuation of the use of recruitment and retention initiatives, as follows:

i)               To make a one-off payment of £5,000 to newly recruited permanent qualified social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers on grades PO2 - PO7, on satisfactory completion of their probationary period and repayable where an employee leaves the council within 12 months of receiving the payment.

ii)              To make annual retention payments of £3,000 to all qualified social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers on grades PO2 to PO7 to be paid annually after completion of a full year’s service.

iii)            To make retention payments for Best Interest Assessors of £2,000 a year for being on the rota to carry out statutory duties commensurate with the role.

iv)            To make retention payments of £1,000 a year for qualified Practice Educators to take two students a year.