High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Thursday, September 15, 2011
Workforce
There were 41,062 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff employed by Scottish local authority social work services departments in October 2010. However, this total WTE staff figure includes 323 WTE staff (largely teachers and assistants who work with children with additional support needs) who are now being included in this Census by Scottish Borders as a result of its new integrated Children's Services. Excluding these additional staff, the total number of WTE staff employed would have been 40,739, a fall of 2.3% compared with the comparable figure the previous year.
The average (median) age for staff in filled posts in October 2010 was 47 years old. This was the same as in October 2009, but higher than the average (median) age of 45 years old in October 2004. The average (median) age was highest for Senior Mangers, etc. (50 years old) and lowest for Trainee Social Workers (39 years old).
Source: Staff of Scottish Local Authority Social Work Services, 2010
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Note: In 2006, different counting methodology used to eliminate double counting of staff covering for absent staff. Therefore 2006 figures are not comparable with previous years.
In 2007 and 2008, Glasgow provided information on their home care staff. However, from 2009 these staff are being excluded as they have moved to the private sector. Therefore, figures for 2007 and 2008 are not comparable with other years.
In 2010, as part of its new integrated Children's Services, Scottish Borders included additional filled posts (largely teachers and assistants who work with children with additional support needs). Therefore, totals for 2010 are not comparable with 2009.
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