Last month, the City Council approved a radical restructuring of the city’s fieldwork services, with the creation of new posts, and re-grading for existing staff. It includes the appointment of up to 287 Practice Team Leaders over the next few months. This newly created role will manage a small Practice Team as well as managing a limited number of complex and challenging cases.

David Comley, Director of Social Work Services, says: "The aim is to ensure that experienced council workers are able to continue doing what they are trained to do – working with people on the frontline." The restructuring is part of a long term plan to address the shortage of social care graduates across the country, and a shortfall in senior workers in Glasgow."

Social care across Scotland has been adversely affected by the national shortage of qualified social workers during the past three years. East End Area Social Work Team in Glasgow has a 34% vacancy rate and some areas have been down to 50% in recent years.

Councillor John McKenzie, Convener of the Council’s Social Care Services Committee, says: "If there was ever a time for radical thought in social work, it's now. This new structure will allow us to deliver a better service to our clients and alleviate the strain on employees. The status quo cannot continue or we face a situation where the pressure on staff will become unbearable because of the number of vacancies. It would be unacceptable for us to allow the drift towards this point to continue unchallenged and this structure will herald real improvements for everyone."

The new staffing proposals are heavily influenced by the findings of a comprehensive staff survey carried out earlier this year by MORI on behalf of the Council.

For information on the new posts call Glasgow City Council Social Work Services on 0141 565 0105