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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Joint Staffing Watch - September 2003

31/08/2004

Figures published today show a year on year increase of 4,663 full-time equivalent staff working in local authorities, a 1.9 per cent increase up to September 2003.

The September 2003 Joint Staffing Watch, released jointly by the Executive and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, shows a total of 248,181 full-time equivalent staff compared with the September 2002 figure of 243,518.

The Joint Staffing Watch and other Executive Surveys indicate that these reported increases are primarily due to the recruitment of 'front line' staff and those staff who directly support them, such as social workers and education support staff.

The Social Work service group increased by 2,810 FTE over the year. This category includes professional social workers and home helps.

The number of Non-Teaching Education Staff increased by 1,979 FTE. This includes education support staff, youth workers and pre-school staff.

Increases were also reported in the number of police officers and their support staff (up by 576 FTE).

Variations in definitions can lead to apparent differences between the figures produced in the JSW, and those published elsewhere.

The teacher figures recorded in the JSW includes all pre-school teachers and teachers employed centrally by the local authority.

The JSW also covers all teachers in paid employment whereas the Teacher Census only covers the number of teachers working during a certain week, this difference affects the way in which supply teacher cover is recorded.

A decrease of 2,006 full-time equivalent staff working in Housing Services over the year was a result of the transfer of staff to Housing Associations and other service groups.

For more detailed information regarding Social Work Services staff please see Staff of Scottish Local Authorities Social Work Services.

Page updated: Tuesday, August 31, 2004