The number of agency social workers employed in Bedford Borough Council’s children’s services fell from 50 to 31 over the year to March 2025, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).
The data shows the agency social worker headcount stood at 31 on 31 March 2025, compared with 50 a year earlier and 37 in March 2023.
Over the same period, the council’s permanent children’s social worker workforce increased from 66.76 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts in March 2024 to 82.07 FTE in March 2025.
In March 2023, the permanent workforce stood at 72.02 FTE.
The figures were disclosed by the council in response to a Freedom of Information request.
The council said the figures cover children’s social care staff employed in the roles of newly qualified social worker, social worker, experienced social worker and advanced social work practitioner.
The data show agency worker numbers rose between March 2023 and March 2024, then fell the following year, while permanent staffing fell between 2023 and 2024 before increasing in 2025.
The council’s director of children’s services, Harmesh Bhogal, was asked what had driven the reduction in agency staffing.
- Whether it reflected a recruitment and retention strategy
- Whether the workforce position had stabilised
- Whether the change had reduced costs or caseload pressures
- What the current vacancy rate was within children’s social care
The questions were sent on 14 May. Following a further request for comment on 2 June, his office said: “Apologies, we will get a response to you by close of play tomorrow.”
No response had been received by the time of publication.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
