Purpose

The report provides an outline of the Alternative Social Care Recruitment Agency project that is being progressed in the region.

Decision

That the Executive Director for Children’s Services and Children’s Cabinet Member support Knowsley Children’s Services to participate and financially contribute to the two year pilot of creating an alternative Social Care Recruitment Agency with St Helen’s, Cheshire East and Wirral Local Authorities. The pilot will run from April 2024 for two years, with a financial contribution of £15,000.00 per  year from year two of the project.

Alternative options considered

The current cost of agency staff through existing services is at a much higher price as this alternative proposal, so this is more cost effective, localised and from a not for profit agency service.