Negative feedback from current staff is the factor most likely to affect a social workers’ feelings about working for that organisation in the future, according to a report into recruiting social workers.

A whitepaper entitled ‘Recruiting Social Workers’, from recruitment communications firm TMP Worldwide, says: “A damaged reputation cannot be easily fixed (as authorities like Haringey and Doncaster are finding to their cost).”

The report adds: “In terms of rewards, money talks and this is becoming more of an issue with the rising cost of living coupled with public sector pay freezes.

“This is not to suggest that authorities should simply ‘buy’ social work recruits by continually increasing salaries.”

As reported yesterday on recruiter.co.uk, nearly 80% of graduates, MBA students and middle managers participating in ‘The Sky Future Leaders Study’ say that the vision and values of a company is an important factor when looking at potential employers.