Herefordshire Council has successfully recruited seven experienced social workers from seven different American States in a trans-Atlantic drive to recruit qualified personnel.
Like most local authorities in the UK, the council has struggled to recruit sufficient qualified and experienced social workers in recent years, despite extensive local and national advertising campaigns.
As a result, three council employees, working with specialist social care recruitment agency Pulse Recruitment, spent five days in Atlanta, Georgia last month successfully recruiting seven social workers from Maine, Chicago, Texas, Florida, New York, Mississippi and Georgia. The new recruits will take up their posts from August onwards and embark on an intensive induction programme to familiarise themselves with UK legislation.
Shaun McLurg, head of safeguarding and assessment, said: "We are delighted this recruitment campaign has been such a success. Seven experienced social workers will undoubtedly have a positive impact and add to the diversity of our workforce. Their employment will also help the council reduce the costs involved in employing agency staff which can total an extra £20,000 per year when compared with a full time social worker employed by the council.
"The council may consider this method of recruiting again, although we shall continue to strive to recruit staff locally and in the rest of the UK."