Social Worker Posts and Vacancies: October 2007
This publication presents statistics from the biannual social worker census held across all Scottish local authorities on 01 October 2007. Care should be taken when comparing staffing figures over time (see Background Notes 1.3 to 1.8). Headline messages are:
- The number of filled social worker posts has shown little change between April 2007 and October 2007, with 5,043 whole time equivalent ( WTE) posts in April 2007 and 5,036 WTE in October 2007. However, since October 2006 the total number of filled posts has shown an increase of 1.8%.
- The number of social worker vacancies has increased by 8.4% between April 2007 and October 2007, from 362 WTE to 392 WTE. However, the total number of unfilled posts has shown a decrease of 1.9% between October 2006 and October 2007.
- The proportion of all social worker posts that were vacant has increased from 6.7% in April 2007 to 7.2% in October 2007. However, the proportion of all social worker posts that were vacant has shown an overall decrease of 0.3 percentage points between October 2006 and October 2007.
- In children's services, the number of filled posts remained steady between April 2007 and October 2007 with 2,334 WTE posts and 2,331 WTE posts respectively. However, the number of vacancies increased by 13.1% over the same period from 184 to 208.
- The number of filled adult services posts increased by 2.0% from 1,575 WTE in April 2007 to 1,607 WTE in October 2007. The number of vacancies also increased, albeit marginally, over the same time period from 94 WTE vacancies in April 2007 to 96 WTE in October 2007.
- Since October 2006, the number ( WTE) of filled social worker posts has increased overall, with the largest percentage rise in adults services (a 8.0% increase). However, the number of filled ( WTE) social worker posts for offenders services and generic services have both seen decreases over the same period of 3.2% and 12.2% respectively. The number of social worker vacancies has decreased in all services, excluding offenders services, since October 2006, with the largest percentage fall in adult services (a 15.3% decrease).
- Between April 2007 and October 2007, the number ( WTE) of filled senior social worker and main grade social worker posts has seen little change. However, the number ( WTE) of vacant senior social worker and main grade social worker posts have both increased by 25.6% and 3.1% respectively.
- Since October 2006, the total number ( WTE) of filled senior social worker posts has shown little change rising marginally from 1,061 WTE to 1,066 WTE in October 2007. However, the number of vacant senior social worker posts has increased by 37.9% from 77 WTE to 106 WTE over the same time period. As for main grade social workers, the total number ( WTE) of filled posts has increased by 2.2% from 3,884 WTE in October 2006 to 3,970 WTE in October 2007. The number of vacant posts has decreased by 11.4% from 323 WTE to 286 WTE over the same period.
- In October 2007, 10.7% of all vacant social worker posts have been vacant for over twelve months - a decrease of 2.6 percentage points since April 2007.
The following tables and charts are available:
Table 1: Summary figures on social worker staffing statistics: October 2001 - October 2007
Table 2a: Social worker staffing position within each local authority area: October 2001 - October 2007
Table 2b: Social worker vacancy position within each local authority area: October 2001 - October 2007
Table 2c: Vacancies as percentage of all social worker posts within each local authority area: October 2001 - October 2007
Chart 1: Social workers - October 2001 to October 2007
Chart 2: Social worker vacancies - October 2001 to October 2007
Chart 3: Social worker vacancies as percentage of all posts - October 2001 to October 2007
Background Notes - Social Worker Staff
1. Notes and Definitions
Method of Collection
1.1 Each local authority is asked to submit a biannual census form detailing the number ( WTE) of filled and unfilled social worker posts there were in its social work/social services department, whether free-standing or part of a larger department. The census dates for these biannual surveys are the first Monday in April and October. Details on the number of filled and unfilled social worker posts by type of activity/ location are collected.
1.2 This is the last time this biannual survey will take place. Results of the number of social workers and other staff employed in local authority social work service departments are reported annually by conducting a census of all staff in October of each year.
Organisation of Social Work Services
1.3 Social work services can be organised in a number of different ways, and this may impact on the results reported in this publication.
Estimates and Revisions
1.4 Guidance notes have been created to reduce the discrepancies in the reported number of filled and unfilled social worker posts highlighted in previous biannual surveys. These notes can be found through the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/SurveySocialWorkStaffingQ
1.5 It has been previously highlighted that there are discrepancies in the reported number of filled and unfilled social worker posts by local authorities at the October reference point. As the number of filled and unfilled social worker posts derived from the annual October Social Work Services census are deemed to be the definitive number of social worker posts at this reference point, the filled and unfilled social work posts figures need to be adjusted in order for them to be comparable with the annual October figures. The filled posts series obtained from the biannual survey has been adjusted by calculating the difference in the number of reported social workers between the annual and biannual October 2006 surveys and apply these differences to subsequent quarters. The unfilled posts series obtained from the biannual survey has been adjusted by using the original biannual vacancy rates by grade and client group and applying these to the adjusted filled post series.
1.6 For further information on the reasons for these revisions, and the scale of them, please refer to the Statistics Publication Notice titled "Staff of Scottish Local Authority Social Work Services, 2006" which was published on Wednesday 27 June 2007. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00595
Changes Over Time
1.7 It should also be noted that different local authorities may classify staff differently, according to the way work is organised in their area. Social workers, for example, may be classified either under generic provision, or by the nature or location of their work (adult services, children's services etc.). In addition, an increase in care management services has resulted in many staff (previously designated as social workers or occupational therapists) being assigned to care manager roles.
Whole Time Equivalent ( WTE)
1.8 It should be borne in mind that WTE figures may be calculated using different weekly hours across local authorities. This can have the effect of WTE figures being slightly higher in local authorities who have reduced their standard full-time working week.
2. General
2.1 The Children, Young People and Social Care Statistics website provides a comprehensive summary of regular Scottish social work staffing statistics - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/childrenstats
2.2 Public enquiries ( non-media) about the information contained in this News Release should be addressed to Gillian Miller, The Scottish Government, Area 1-B(S), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ (telephone 0131 244 0311 or e-mail gillian.miller2@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)
2.3 Media enquiries about the information in this Statistics Publication Notice should be addressed to Brendan Rooney on 0131 244 2960.