The chairman of ASWEB (Association Social Work Employment Businesses) has called on the government to allow more flexibility after media reports that a temporary cap on immigration is exacerbating  social worker shortages.

An interim limit of 24,100 non-EU skilled workers entering the UK was imposed in July, ahead of a permanent immigration cap.

Ben Arnold, chairman of ASWEB told Recruiter: “What’s needed is a case by case review of the supply and demand for social workers for each local authority to allow employers the scope to meet their needs from overseas.”

Colin Green, director of children, learning and young people at Coventry City Council, told Recruiter: “The difficulty is in recruiting experienced social workers. The government initiatives may increase the supply in the long term but not in the short term. There are more jobs and the supply has not kept up. This is a national issue, these are high-pressure jobs and it is difficult to retain people in certain positions.”

Arnold adds: “ASWEB supports the education and training of more social workers but in the short-term this is not scaleable to meet employers’ needs.”