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North East solution to social worker crisis

The North East is to pilot a new scheme aimed at reducing the country’s current social worker crisis.

Figures revealed earlier this year showed that as many as one in seven social worker posts with local authorities may be vacant.

But now a team -including a former social worker - who are experts in working in the social enterprise sector are planning to launch the Social Work Co-Operative which will not only supply temporary staff to local authorities but will also give social workers themselves an opportunity to benefit from better support.

The enterprise has been set up by business development director Dr Guy Turnbull, who has worked across the UK as a social economy consultant, social/community enterprise expert Carol Bell and Walter Young, founder and co-director of not-for-profit agency, Team Fostering.

The three North East based directors believe their model will provide a new level of service and will be able to fill the current gaps in the market along with giving social workers the benefit of feeling part of an organisation where they will get a share of the success.

“What the SWC will offer is completely unique,” said Dr Turnbull. “Firstly the temporary staff will have a profit share and a minority stake in the enterprise.

“Unlike a typical locum agency, the SWC will offer all temporary workers the opportunity to share in the profits of the business.”

The directors are also committed to the organisation being highly ethical, working on the basis of “putting people before profit” which has been an integral part of all of their careers to date.

Once the format has been tested in the North East the plan is establish a social franchising network to roll out a number of similar social work agencies across the UK.

“At a time when the shortage of social workers is really reaching crisis point in many areas we believe we have created a unique solution which when launched will benefit everyone,” said Walter.

Any social worker wanting to find out further information is asked to call 0845 313 8452.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .