The shortage of social workers in Essex is approaching the 200 mark.

Currently there are 178 vacancies with 100 in children's services and the remainder in the community care sector.

The shortfall in staff means that in some parts of the county, people are waiting several months for an assessment.

Social services director Mike Leadbetter admits the level of vacancies, although partly covered by agency staff, does have a significant impact on the department's ability to meet needs.

"As a result of this staff start, quite understandably, to begin to feel demoralised," he said yesterday.

In a report to the county's social services committee yesterday, Mr Leadbetter was to tell members that neighbouring Hertfordshire, where problems were as serious as those in Essex, had recently increased the salaries of social workers.

A newly-qualified social worker in Essex would be offered a salary of between £16,719 and £18,546.

But in Hertfordshire the pay cheque would be between £18,546 and £20,355 while in Kent it would range from £17,117 to £20,289.

Senior practitioners in Kent would start at £3,577 more than the top banding offered in Essex of £23,217 and the maximum pay would be almost £9,000 a year more.

In Hertfordshire, a senior practitioner would start at £23,895 rising to £26,661.

"Consideration needs to be given to make our posts more competitive," he said.

He said since his last report, 16 qualified social workers had been recruited as a result of a strategy to promote the professional image and the benefits of working in Essex and a further 16 had been engaged on a locum basis from South Africa.

Further appointments would be made later this year through staff completing diploma in social work qualifications and by the sponsorship of 40 final year students due to graduate this summer.

It had also been agreed to increase the sponsorship of these students from ten to 50 each year starting in the autumn leading to recruitment in two years' time.

Mr Leadbetter said other measures to try to recruit more staff would include advertising and developing and promoting the council's website.

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