A cash boost for Berkshire jobs in social work

Berkshire jobs in social work will receive a cash boost of £3,000 to each social worker working with children.

After the Baby P case, vacancies in the profession have increased dramatically. The venture will aim to fill these vacancies and also boost the field of work.

According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, salaries for newly qualified children social workers will also be increased from £23,880 to £24,688.

Senior specialists in this field will see their salaries increased to £32,669 from £31,796.

A recent survey from The Local Government Association (LGA) unveiled that six out of 10 councils in the country are experiencing problems to retain social workers, BBC News Online reported.

Shireen Ritchie, chairman of the children and young people board, told the news source: “The vilification of children's social workers has increased the risk of harm to some children by opening up gaps in the safety net which works so hard to protect them.”

Ritchie added: “During the past 12 months too many social workers have clearly decided the strain of this difficult work is more than they can handle.”

The Government will be investing £109m during the next two years to boost jobs in the field.