Recruitment drive for Social Care Workers

On Wednesday 26 March, County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services and Mike Siegal, Director of Social Services launch the county's biggest ever recruitment drive for social care staff. This follows the County Council's latest investment of £1.8 million to increase staff capacity in Social Services. 

The launch takes place at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 26 March at Social Services Headquarters, 3 Victoria Place, Carlisle. Mike Siegal, Director of Social Services says, 

"The County Council's increased commitment to Social Services gives new opportunities for social worker and review officer posts, to work with older adults and those with physical disabilities. There are also opportunities for qualified social workers and family workers in the Child and Family care teams and residential services. 

Cumbria Social Services officers will shortly attend a National recruitment Fair at the Birmingham International Conference Centre to help recruit Social Workers into posts in the county. The Department will also be running a number of local events later in the year to attract people who might not be qualified in social work but are interested in a career in the social care field." 

County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social services welcomes the recruitment initiative. He says, 

"This is one of the biggest recruitment initiatives for many years and comes after significant investment by the Council into Social services. I am pleased that the additional £1.8m enables the recruitment of more social workers review officers & family workers to join our skilled, committed team. Recruitment and retention of Social Workers is a national problem, not helped by the negative attention of the media rather than the positive promotion of the valuable and essential work carried out by a dedicated work force. 

Cumbria County Council is committed to improving quality of services to the people of Cumbria. A key to that commitment is our workforce. I am delighted to launch the recruitment drive and look forward to securing more quality social care workers for the county." 

The new recruitment drive aims to encourages social workers to move to Cumbria, outlining not only the attractions of working for an innovative employer but also in the lovely surroundings in the county. The Recruitment Fair will act as a shop window for the Council, who like other local council's, has found it difficult to recruit and retain staff recently in all sectors of the Caring Business.