Growth and development.pdf

Staff6. StaffingManagers & central staff 148 0.5 3 183 0.6 3Frontline staff 1,366 4.2 3 1,664 5.1 2Other 417 1.3 2 376 1.1 2Total 1,930 5.9 3 2,223 6.8 2VacanciesWTE1999actualWTE1999per 1,000Vacancies2000 % Vacancies2000Quartile1999% Vacancies2000ScotlandWTE2000actualWTE2000per 1,000Vacancies2001 % Vacancies2001Quartile2000% Vacancies2001ScotlandSWs with adults 12 18.0 7.8 7 11.6 10.9SWs with children 19 18.9 7.4 25 23.5 10.7SWs with offenders 7 17.2 7.5 6 14.5 7.2Generic workers 5 10.2 8.0 13 27.5 12.7Total 42 16.7 7.7 50 19.9 10.5An increase in total staff numbers between 1999 and 2000 means that the overall staffing rateis now relatively high. Numbers of managers, frontline staff and 'other social work services'staff all increased, but the rate of managers and central staff remains lower than in most otherauthorities. Vacancy levels are high in all areas and have increased from 2000 to 2001.In early 2002 the Council had a vacancy rate of 16% for qualified social workers, in children’sand criminal justice teams. In response to difficulties in recruiting social workers, occupationaltherapists and home care staff, the Council reviewed workforce needs and implementedmeasures including improvements to career structures, the introduction of social work assistantsin a supportive role, and a review of the service provided by occupational therapists. There areproposals to introduce senior practitioner posts for social workers and occupational therapists.The department support unqualified workers to undertake social work qualifications throughdistance learning.The Department has commissioned an external consultant to look at the reasons for the highlevel of sickness that prevails in the social work department.190