| Description | Social Worker Posts and Vacancies: April 2005 |
|---|
| ISBN | (Web Only) |
|---|
| Official Print Publication Date | |
|---|
| Website Publication Date | June 23, 2005 |
|---|
Listen
SOCIAL WORKER POSTS AND VACANCIES: APRIL
2005
23 June 2005
A Scottish Executive Statistics Publication
ISSN 1479-7569
(online)
ISBN
0 7559 2602 1 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in
pdf
format (88k)
This publication forms part of a series of publications
which provide aggregate information on social workers
employed by Scottish Local Authority Social Work Services.
It contains the results of a quarterly social worker census
held across all Scottish local authorities on 4 April
2005.
These staffing figures were originally planned for
release on 28 April 2005. However, due to inconsistencies
in the number of filled and unfilled social worker posts
being recorded in the October 2004 annual social work
services survey, with those previously published in the
October 2004 quarterly social worker survey, the release of
these statistics was postponed until the discrepancy had
been fully investigated (see Background Notes 1.4 to 1.6
for more details).
Care should be taken when comparing staffing figures
over time (see Background
Notes 1.2 and
1.8).
Headline messages are:
- The number of filled social worker posts has shown
little change between October 2004 (4,576 Whole Time
Equivalent) and April 2005 (4,591
WTE).
- The number of social worker vacancies has fallen
from 557
WTE
vacancies in October 2004 to 503
WTE
vacancies in April 2005 - a fall of 10 per cent.
- The proportion of all social worker posts that were
vacant has fallen from 11% in October 2004 to 10% in
April 2005 - a fall of one percentage point.
- The number of filled adult services posts increased
from 1,453
WTE in
October 2004 to 1,488
WTE in
April 2005, and vacancies fell slightly from 154
WTE to
150
WTE
over the same time period.
- In children's services, the number of filled posts
have decreased slightly from 2,053
WTE in
October 2004 to 2,041
WTE in
April 2005, but vacancies have also fallen from 281
WTE to
266
WTE
over the same time period.
- Between October 2004 and April 2005, the number (
WTE)
of filled senior social worker posts has increased by
16 per cent and vacant senior social worker posts have
fallen by 4 per cent. As for main grade social workers,
the number (
WTE)
of filled posts has fallen by 3 per cent and the number
of vacant main grade social worker posts has fallen by
11 per cent.
- Thirty one per cent of all vacant social worker
posts have been vacant for over six months. This ranged
from 18 per cent in services for offenders to 57 per
cent in generic provision.
The following tables and charts are
available:
Table 1: Summary figures on social worker staffing
statistics: April 2005
Table 2: Social worker staffing position within each
local authority area: April 2005
Chart 1: Social workers - October 2000 to April
2005
Chart 2: Social worker vacancies - October 2000 to
April 2005
Chart 3: Social worker vacancies as percentage of all
posts - October 2000 to April 2005
BACKGROUND NOTES - Social Worker Staff
1. Notes and Definitions
Method of Collection
1.1 Each local authority is asked to submit a quarterly
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 quarterly surveys are the first Monday in
January, April, July, and October. Details on the number of
filled and unfilled social worker posts by type of
activity/ location are collected.
Organisation of Social Work Services
1.2 Social work services can be organised in a number of
different ways, and this may impact on the results reported
in this publication. For further details, see the Annex to
a previous statistical bulletin, 'Staff of Scottish Local
Authority Social Work Services, 2000'.
Estimates and Revisions
1.3 In April 2005, a number of local authorities were
unable to confirm their social worker figures were
consistent with those provided in the annual October 2004
social work services census. For these local authorities,
their October 2004 figures have been used as estimates to
the number of filled and unfilled social worker posts in
April 2005.
1.4 Figures from a quarterly survey on the number of
filled and unfilled social worker posts for October 2004
and January 2005 have been previously published (8 November
2004 and 14 February 2005 respectively) by the Scottish
Executive. Results from these quarterly surveys showed a
higher number of filled social worker posts than shown in
the annual (October 2004) survey.
1.5 Investigations into the discrepancy in the number of
filled social worker posts highlighted a number of
inconsistencies in reporting of social worker posts between
the annual and quarterly surveys. For example, some staff
who were social worker qualified (but who were not carrying
out a social worker role) were incorrectly included in the
quarterly survey; some staff who were carrying out a Senior
Social Worker role (but whose job title was Team
Leader/Manager) were being included in the quarterly survey
as a Senior Social Worker but were being recorded as a Team
Leader/Manager in the annual survey; some staff were being
counted as Main Grade Social Workers (but whose job title
was Care Manager) in the quarterly survey but were being
recorded as Care Managers in the annual survey; and some
vacant social worker posts were being counted in the number
of filled social worker posts in the quarterly survey.
1.6 We now believe that the number of filled and
unfilled social worker posts reported in this publication
provides a more accurate picture. As such, the results of
the October 2004 and January 2005 quarterly social worker
survey have been withdrawn.
1.7 Results from the quarterly social worker census are
subject to revisions once results become available from the
annual social work services census.
Changes Over Time
1.8 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)
1.9 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 following Executive publications provide figures
from the local authority social services staff annual
census:
Scottish social work employee statistics 2002
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00273-00.asp
Scottish social work employee statistics 2003
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00355-00.asp
Scottish social work employee statistics 2004
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00420
2.2 The Scottish Children's Statistics Gateway provides
a comprehensive summary of regular Scottish social work
staffing statistics -
www.scotland.gov.uk/statistics/children
2.3 Public enquiries (
non-media) about the information contained
in this News Release should be addressed to Children, Young
People & Social Care Analytical Services Unit, Scottish
Executive Education Department, Area 1-B(S), Victoria Quay,
Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ (telephone 0131 244 0311 or e-mail
children.statistics@scotland.gsi.gov.uk).
2.4
Media enquiries about the information in
this Statistics Publication Notice should be addressed to
Vikki Quinn on 0131 244 2560.
Table 1: Summary figures on social worker staffing
statistics: April 2005
| Filled posts (
WTE)
(1) | Vacancies (
WTE) | Vacancies as % of posts |
|---|
Number | % change since Oct 04 | Number | % change since Oct 04 | %vacancies >6 months
(2) | Per cent | % change since Oct 04 |
|---|
All social workers | 4,591 | 0% | 503 | -10% | 31% | 10% | -1% |
|---|
Children's services | 2,041 | -1% | 266 | -5% | 33% | 12% | -1% |
|---|
Adult services | 1,488 | 2% | 150 | -2% | 28% | 9% | 0% |
|---|
Offenders services | 745 | 7% | 56 | -19% | 18% | 7% | -2% |
|---|
Generic service | 318 | -16% | 31 | -43% | 57% | 9% | -4% |
|---|
All senior social workers | 908 | 16% | 95 | -4% | 25% | 10% | -2% |
|---|
All main grade social workers | 3,683 | -3% | 408 | -11% | 33% | 10% | -1% |
|---|
Note:
WTE stands
for the whole time equivalent for each post and is
expressed as a figure between 0 and 1
(1) Due to uncertainty surrounding April 2005
staffing data figures supplied, October 2004 annual figures
have been used for some local authorities
(2) Where
LAs
were unable to provide vacancy breakdowns, vacancies were
assumed to be <6 months
Table 2: Social worker staffing position within each
local authority area: April 2005
| Staff (
WTE)
(1) | Vacancies (
WTE) | Vacancies as % posts |
|---|
Number | % change since Oct 04 | Number | % change since Oct 04 | %vacancies >6 months
(2) | Per cent | % change since Oct 04 |
|---|
Scotland | 4,591 | 0% | 503 | -10% | 31% | 10% | -1% |
|---|
Aberdeen City | 209 | 0% | 17 | -26% | 16% | 8% | -2% |
|---|
Aberdeenshire
(1) | N/A | N/A | 22 | 2% | 14% | N/A | N/A |
|---|
Angus | 57 | -2% | 7 | -30% | 72% | 11% | -4% |
|---|
Argyll & Bute | 67 | 7% | 8 | -29% | 53% | 10% | -4% |
|---|
Clackmannanshire | 33 | -16% | 10 | 19% | 89% | 23% | 5% |
|---|
Dumfries & Galloway
(2) | 117 | 11% | 45 | 120% | N/A | 28% | 11% |
|---|
Dundee City | 175 | -11% | 11 | -40% | 0% | 6% | -3% |
|---|
East Ayrshire | 112 | 5% | 9 | -54% | 3% | 7% | -8% |
|---|
East Dunbartonshire | 37 | 12% | 16 | -15% | 63% | 31% | -6% |
|---|
East Lothian | 65 | 7% | 9 | 350% | 33% | 12% | 9% |
|---|
East Renfrewshire | 87 | 16% | 3 | 0% | 0% | 3% | 3% |
|---|
Edinburgh | 526 | 0% | 33 | -18% | 31% | 6% | -1% |
|---|
Eilean Siar | 15 | 38% | 1 | -80% | 0% | 6% | -26% |
|---|
Falkirk | 145 | 30% | 19 | -2% | 44% | 12% | -3% |
|---|
Fife | 285 | 1% | 47 | 33% | 33% | 14% | 3% |
|---|
Glasgow
(2) | 667 | -8% | 13 | -73% | N/A | 2% | -4% |
|---|
Highland | 181 | 3% | 32 | 36% | 48% | 15% | 3% |
|---|
Inverclyde | 95 | 3% | 18 | 51% | 57% | 16% | 4% |
|---|
Midlothian | 66 | 24% | 0 | -100% | 0% | 0% | -17% |
|---|
Moray | 80 | 8% | 7 | 11% | 0% | 8% | 0% |
|---|
North Ayrshire | 95 | -2% | 0 | -100% | 0% | 0% | -9% |
|---|
North Lanarkshire | 225 | 6% | 34 | -10% | 68% | 13% | -2% |
|---|
Orkney Islands | 20 | 44% | 2 | -67% | 67% | 7% | -18% |
|---|
Perth & Kinross
(1) | N/A | N/A | 10 | -44% | 16% | N/A | N/A |
|---|
Renfrewshire | 126 | -6% | 23 | 14% | 52% | 16% | 2% |
|---|
Scottish Borders
(2) | 116 | -5% | 17 | -10% | N/A | 13% | -1% |
|---|
Shetland Islands | 19 | -8% | 4 | 75% | 57% | 16% | 7% |
|---|
South Ayrshire | 111 | 3% | 10 | -22% | 0% | 8% | -2% |
|---|
South Lanarkshire | 245 | 1% | 36 | 16% | 0% | 13% | 2% |
|---|
Stirling
(1) | N/A | N/A | 9 | -41% | 35% | N/A | N/A |
|---|
West Dunbartonshire | 105 | -5% | 30 | 0% | 57% | 22% | 1% |
|---|
West Lothian | 118 | -5% | 5 | -27% | 0% | 4% | -1% |
|---|
Note:
WTE stands
for the whole time equivalent for each post and is
expressed as a figure between 0 and 1
(1) Due to uncertainty surrounding April 2005
staffing data figures supplied, October 2004 annual figures
have been used for some local authorities
(2) Where
LAs
were unable to provide vacancy breakdowns, vacancies were
assumed to be <6 months
Chart 1
Chart 2
Chart 3
