40 agency staff plug socialworker shortage

The agency staff were principally deployed to meet severe staffing needs in the southern sector of WHSCT, said Mr McGimpsey.

He said the staff cost just 26 pence more than a band six social worker.

He revealed the social worker shortage in response to an Assembly Question from Alliance MLA Anna Lo.

She asked why 40 agency staff were employed and how much more it cost the Trust to employ them compared to the Trust’s own Social Workers.

The Minister replied:

“The Western Trust has advised me that although it may have employed 40 agency staff over 2 years these staff were covering vacancies and sick leave at various points throughout the two years i.e. the Trust did not at any stage have 40 agency staff at any one time.

“The Trust had to employ agency staff in the past two years due to extreme staffing difficulties particularly in the Southern Sector of the Trust area, where people were not applying for permanent posts.

“The agency staff were necessary in order to maintain safe working practices in all parts of the Trust and to ensure that an appropriate level of qualified experienced staff were in post.

“The situation has now changed considerably with the Trust now employing 10 agency social workers and there are plans to reduce this further.”

He said the difference in labour costs was minimal.

“The difference in cost between an agency Band 6 Social Worker and a Trust Band 6 Social Worker is 26 pence per hour,” said the Minister.