Decision details

Resolved:-

1.1    That approval be given to increase the contract sum to Sandwell Children’s Trust by a maximum of £260,000 to continue the payment of a market supplement of £2,500, plus on costs, for 2023/24 to all permanent case holding social workers.

1.2    That approval be given to Sandwell Children’s Trust adopting a retention payment policy for all permanent case holding social workers and permanent team managers, payable based on length of service at a maximum additional cost to the Council of £310,000 in year 1, £585,000 in year 2 and £1.136m in year 3.

1.3    That approval be given to authorise Sandwell Children’s Trust to recruit up to 12 International Social Workers in 2023/24 at a maximum additional cost of £556k.

1.4    That in connection with 1.1 - 1.3 above, approval be given for the total maximum cost of £1.126m for 2023/24 to be funded from the Social Care Earmarked Reserve.

1.5    That the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Direct of Children’s Services, review the Sandwell Deal Policy in December 2023 to evaluate its effectiveness in recruiting and retaining social work employees and consideration given to funding ongoing costs through the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy.