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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 October 2, 2006.
Care should be taken when comparing staffing figures over time (see Background Notes 1.3 to 1.7).
Headline messages are:
- The number of filled social worker posts has increased slightly by 0.9% between July 2006 and October 2006, from 4,810 whole time equivalent ( WTE) to 4,855 WTE. The total number of filled posts has also shown an increase of 2.0% between October 2005 and October 2006.
- The number of social worker vacancies has decreased by 10.7% between July 2006 and October 2006, from 442 whole time equivalent ( WTE) to 395 WTE. The total number of unfilled posts have also shown a decrease of 21.4% between October 2005 and October 2006.
- The proportion of all social worker posts that were vacant has decreased from 8.4% in July 2006 to 7.5% in October 2006. The proportion of all social worker posts that were vacant has also shown an overall decrease of 2.0 percentage points between October 2005 and October 2006.
- In children's services, the number of filled posts decreased by 0.1% from 2,164 WTE in July 2006 to 2,163 WTE in October 2006, but the number of vacancies also decreased by 17.1% over the same time period (from 226 WTE vacancies in July 2006 to 188 WTE in October 2006).
- The number of filled adult services posts increased by 1.7% from 1,413 WTE in July 2006 to 1,437 WTE in October 2006, and the number of vacancies decreased by 5.1% over the same time period (from 118 WTE vacancies in July 2006 to 112 WTE in October 2006).
- Since October 2005, the number ( WTE) of filled social worker posts in all services has increased, with the largest percentage rise in services for offenders (a 4.3% increase). The number of social worker vacancies has decreased in all services since October 2005, except offender services which saw a rise of 11.1%, over the same time period.
- Between July 2006 and October 2006, the number ( WTE) of filled senior social worker posts has decreased by 0.6% and the number of vacant senior social worker posts has increased by 11.0%. As for main grade social workers, the number ( WTE) of filled posts has increased by 1.3% and the number of vacant posts has decreased by 15.7%.
- Since October 2005, the total number ( WTE) of filled senior social worker posts has increased by 3.8% from 973 WTE to 1,010 WTE in October 2006. The number of vacant senior social worker posts has decreased by 15.9% from 108 WTE to 91 WTE over the same time period. As for main grade social workers, the total number ( WTE) of filled posts has increased by 1.5% from 3,787 WTE in October 2005 to 3,845 WTE in October 2006. The number of vacant posts has decreased by 22.9% from 394 WTE to 304 WTE over the same period.
- In October 2006, 20.5% of all vacant social worker posts have been vacant for over twelve months - an increase of 10.9 percentage points since July 2006.
The following tables and charts are available:
Table 1: Summary figures on social worker staffing statistics: April 2005 - October 2006
Table 2a: Social worker staffing position within each local authority area: April 2005 - October 2006
Table 2b: Social worker vacancy position within each local authority area: April 2005 - October 2006
Table 2c: Vacancies as percentage of all social worker posts within each local authority area: April 2005 - October 2006
Chart 1: Social workers - October 2001 to October 2006
Chart 2: Social worker vacancies - October 2001 to October 2006
Chart 3: Social worker vacancies as percentage of all posts - October 2001 to October 2006
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.
Estimates and Revisions
1.3 Guidance notes have been created to reduce the discrepancies in the reported number of filled and unfilled social worker posts highlighted in previous quarterly surveys. These notes can be found through the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/SurveySocialWorkStaffingQ
1.4 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 2005 Social Work Services survey 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 quarterly survey has been adjusted by calculating the difference in the number of reported social workers between the annual and quarterly October 2005 surveys and apply these differences to subsequent quarters. The unfilled posts series obtained from the quarterly survey has been adjusted by using the original quarterly vacancy rates by grade and client group and applying these to the adjusted filled post series.
1.5 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, 2005" which was published on Wednesday 28 June 2006.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00511
Changes Over Time
1.6 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)
1.7 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 Scottish Children's Statistics Gateway provides a comprehensive summary of regular Scottish social work staffing statistics - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children
2.2 Public enquiries ( non-media) about the information contained in this News Release should be addressed to Gary Sutton, Children, Young People & Social Care Analytical Services Unit, Scottish Executive Education Department, Area 1-B(S), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ (telephone 0131 244 1690 or e-mail gary.sutton@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)
2.3 Media enquiries about the information in this Statistics Publication Notice should be addressed to Vikki Quinn on 0131 244 2960.
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