Why choose a permanent role in social work?

Are you currently an agency social worker at Devon County Council, and considering becoming a permanent employee?

Whilst there are benefits to both permanent employment and agency work, being a permanent employee enables you to make a meaningful impact and build trusting professional relationships, as well as providing long-term career progression opportunities, job stability and financial security.

Statutory changes for agency social workers

There are significant upcoming changes that will affect children’s agency social workers being implemented by 1st October 2025, including:

• A regional pay cap across the South West of England. Local Authorities will introduce a maximum hourly rate for Experienced Social Workers, Advanced Social Workers, and Team Managers and remove any additional expense payments that are currently available.
• A minimum notice period of four weeks.
• Restricting movement across the South West – if permanent workers leave their role, they will be unable to work as an agency worker in the South West region for six months.
• Agency Social Workers must have at least three years post-qualifying experience in a permanent role within an English Local Authority children’s service.
• Local Authorities must obtain and provide detailed practice-based references for all agency social workers, using a national template, requiring at least two references before hiring an agency worker.

Job satisfaction

Social work can be demanding and challenging, so being part of a supportive team, finding connection, and building long-lasting professional relationships is key. The positive relationships you’ll build with colleagues and the families, children and young people you support, will not only provide a sense of belonging, it will also enable you to see the impact of the work you are doing, the difference you are making, and provide job satisfaction.

Agency social work can sometimes lack continuity and consistency, making it more difficult to build meaningful relationships and feel the rewards that social work can bring.

Job security and stability

Permanent social worker roles at Devon County Council provide job security and stability, which is critical in the social work profession. As a permanent employee you will have the security that a permanent contract offers, along with incremental pay increases each year, paid holidays, and sick pay, as well as the many other benefits Devon County Council offers.

Permanent employment benefits

Although agency roles may offer a higher hourly rate of pay, permanent roles in Devon County Council offer competitive rates of pay as well as a wide range of additional benefits, including:

Investing in you and your career

As a permanent employee you will have regular reflective supervision and an annual appraisal, as well as access to a range of opportunities including structured pathways to progress your career. Devon County Council offers career progression pathways aligned to the BASW Professional Capability Framework (PCF) for Social Workers, and you’ll have access to training, continuous professional development and secondment opportunities to further your career.

Being part of Devon’s vision and improvement journey

Now is an exciting time to join Devon County Council, we are continuing our journey of improvement in children’s services, which you can contribute to and shape. There are areas of good and outstanding practice in Devon, and our vision is to ensure every child and family in Devon receive the same high standard of practice. As permanent employee you are able to see the difference you are making and be part of something bigger.

Career opportunities

The long-term benefits of permanent employment far outweigh the short-term gains of agency work. Providing stability, career progression, wider benefits and the ability to make a real difference, invest in yourself and become a permanent employee at Devon County Council.

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