A COUNCIL has revealed how it has reversed having a shortage of social workers, after Ofsted urged local authorities to address the issue.

North Yorkshire County Council has heralded its social workers after Ofsted inspectors expressed concerns that 40 per cent of social workers in Northamptonshire were agency staff.

North Yorkshire County Council, which until four years ago relied on agency staff for over a quarter of its social workers, said it employed no agency staff and had an experienced workforce with more than 50 per cent of social workers in the county having been qualified for two or more years.

Despite needing to make £168m savings by 2020, the council has increased the number of children’s services social workers from 109 in 2008 to162 this year.

A council spokesman said by giving its social workers manageable caseloads, they could maintain regular contact with children and their families, and were supported by specialised administrative staff.

It said it also supported newly-qualified social workers with mentors.

Councillor Tony Hall said: “We have transformed children’s social care through our total commitment to supporting families and young people when they are most in need."

“These achievements have led to a significant increase in job satisfaction and we have excellent workforce stability.”