Analysis of the data as at 4^th December 2023

This report presents data on the whole time equivalent (WTE) number of social workers and social work vacancies in local authority social work services in December 2023. It is the second of our half-yearly reports on practising social workers (that is, main grade social workers and senior social workers). The first report was published in October last year with data from June 2023. That report can be downloaded from here

This second report presents data from all 32 local authorities. Key findings from the report are set out below:

• Compared to December 2018 the December 2023 survey shows a 10.7% increase in the WTE of practising social workers.

• Compared to June 2023 the data collected in the December 2023 survey shows a 1.6% increase in the WTE of practising social workers.

• During that period the WTE of senior social workers increased faster than main grade WTE, particularly in children and justice teams.

• Between June and December 2023, the WTE of adult social workers decreased while all others increased.

• The data from December 2023 reported a decrease in WTE vacancies compared to the June figures (albeit from fewer reporting authorities) but still showed an increase from the December 2022 vacancy rate to 10.3%.

• Vacancy rates are higher for main grade posts than senior posts.

• Vacancy rates vary by team, however high rates in the children and adult teams suggests an increasing demand for social workers.

• A large variation in vacancy rates as at December 2023 can be seen across local authorities from 0.0% to 31.1%. 

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If you have any enquiries about the report please contact:

James Arnold

Data Researcher

Workforce Intelligence Team

Scottish Social Services Council

Compass House

11 Riverside Drive

Dundee DD1 4NY

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