For almost 20 years, social care recruitment in the UK has not moved forward. Like so many directors of service for children’s and adult services, we’re acutely aware of how much strain the social work community is under, a situation made worse by out dated recruitment processes.

The national picture

It pains us to say, but the national narrative looks bleak.

6,000

Children and family social worker vacancies unfilled

5,300

Children and family social workers left in 2020

73%

of vacancies are currently covered by agency staff

15.1%

FTE staff turnover rate remains stubbornly high

49%

of LA's find it hard to recruit team leaders

Traditional recruitment systems are flawed

Fastest finger first

Availability is prioritised over ability, making it impossible to find the best person for the role.

Referencing system is broken

Just 30 local authorities consistently confirm employment dates when asked.

Costs are vast

Employers are paying for technology and agency margins, and have little control over rising costs.

Variable compliance

There’s a lack of transparency and accountability in worker and IR35 compliance.

Lack of expertise

Employers are not always working with social work experts.

Inflexible

With traditional processes, it’s virtually impossible to quickly increase resource.

Changing the narrative

As a social work-led business with an established community of over 40,000 social work practitioners, Resource Stream’s founders at Sanctuary Personnel knew there had to be a better way.

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in resolving resourcing and practice challenges, we set about to transform the social work recruitment roadmap.

By bringing high-quality practitioners and employers closer together in a structured and accountable way, we’re removing recruitment barriers and driving down costs.

Social Work Hub by Resource Stream

As a thriving online community, Resource Stream’s Social Work Hub gives employers:

Profile

Ability to raise your profile

Choice

Greater practitioner choice

Savings

Lower recruitment costs

Accountability

Greater accountability

Community

Grow your community

There had to be a better way…