Almost 600 social workers recruited into HSC since agency use ended

Date published: 19 December 2024

This includes both former agency and newly qualified social workers. 

In July 2023, Health and Social Care Trusts ceased all social work agency usage in Northern Ireland following intensive work between the Department of Health and the specialist healthcare recruitment services company Healthdaq. 

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt paid tribute to those involved in the initiative after the Department and Healthdaq were awarded joint winners of an Excellence in Public Service HR Award in London in recognition of the project’s success. 

The Minister said: “I highly commend the tireless efforts and collaboration between my Department, HSC Trust representatives and Healthdaq in ensuring the successful delivery of this significant initiative.   

“Spend on recruitment agency social workers over the last 10 years totalled almost £75m. 

“With our HSC system facing continued budgetary pressures, ending agency usage has been an important step to take. But it’s not just about the costs. The main driver of this work has always been to stabilise the workforce and as a result, improve social work services. 

“HSC staff have also clearly told us that the use of agency social workers is counterproductive, unfair and impacts negatively on morale. Having ended its use, we would expect to see improved and more consistent social work services for adults, children and families. 

“I want to congratulate all those involved in winning this award.” 

The policy decision to end agency social worker use was announced in December 2022 and implemented in June 2023. 

Intensive collaboration between the Department, Trusts and Healthdaq resulted in the majority of social workers who had been working in an agency capacity choosing to apply for permanent HSC posts. 

With the assistance of local universities and colleges, arrangements were also made to create a quick and effective recruitment pathway for newly qualified social workers into Trust vacancies within weeks of the completion of their training courses.

Aine Morrison, Chief Social Worker, said: “I am delighted that we have received this award. It is a fitting testimony to what can be achieved when different parts of a system work together to achieve a clear, common goal. 

“Effective social work services are built on sustained and meaningful relationships. The changes we have made to date provide an opportunity to establish a stable and consistent workforce for the future and the potential to improve the services our social workers provide everyday. I am really grateful to everyone who contributed to making this happen.”

Stephen McLarnon, Chief Executive, Healthdaq, said: “We at Healthdaq are proud to have been part of the effort to deliver on this important workforce stabilisation and agency cost-saving initiative led by the Department on behalf of HSCNI.

“The award brings well deserved recognition to a team that has worked tirelessly to achieve measurable and impactful results. Congratulations to all.” 

The move to end social work agency recruitment is part of an overall drive by the Department to reduce agency staff costs across the health service.