Locum Social Workers are a vital part of our social services sector. They are employed by an organisation on a contractual basis rather than permanently, enabling them to work in various settings across social services. They offer vital support to those who need it, who would otherwise be left unattended due to a lack of staff.
A contract for a locum Social Worker usually lasts for a minimum of six to nine months. However, as an agency, we have had people in the same locum assignment for up to 6 years, showing that stability is possible within locum assignments. Due to the ever-increasing demand for Social Workers and the recent lack of newly qualified workers entering the sector, the need for Social Workers across most teams has never been higher. This ensures a steady availability of locum work, making the role more appealing than ever.
Locum Social Workers support end users alongside permanent staff, ensuring well-being and safeguarding. The role is equally vital but offers greater flexibility, allowing individuals to tailor work to their lifestyle and financial needs.
A locum Social Worker will often go into a service and have an immediate caseload assigned as there are no permanent resources to cover it. Due to the fast-paced nature of locum work, Social Workers need to have lots of experience as the expectation is for them to hit the ground running and require little to no training. Due to this, locum Social Workers are most effective in positions where they have direct experience, as they can come in and make the biggest impact immediately.
Benefits of working as a Locum Social Worker:
Greater Flexibility
Locum Social Work offers flexibility with short notice periods and the freedom to move for better opportunities, ensuring workers can always secure the best role for their needs.
Financial Freedom
The higher rates offered to locum Social Workers come from incorporating sick pay, holiday pay, and pension contributions into their hourly wage. Unlike permanent employees, who cannot access the cash value of these benefits, locums have the flexibility to use this additional income as they choose, whether taking time off, saving for future leave, or even improving mortgage eligibility with a larger financial cushion.
Better Work-Life Balance
With the pressure and strains of working within social work, it is vital to achieve a great work-life balance to avoid burnout. Thanks to TOIL (see below) and increased flexibility in when and how they work, locums can manage workloads differently than permanent staff. Many work intensively for 3-6 months and then take time off with extended breaks between assignments to rest and recuperate, holiday with family and friends or even complete projects such as household renovations before returning to their next role.
Broader Experience
It is easier to move across different organisations to gain new skills and learn different working methods as a locum Social Worker, even when staying within the same team. The exposure to new organisations with different models of social work, working alongside new colleagues with new experiences and the ability to move into teams with linked skills all allow the locum Social Worker to become a well-rounded professional.
Long-Term Job Security
The demand for Social Workers continues to grow, and while fewer people enter the sector, locums remain essential. Organisations rarely maintain full permanent staffing, often due to roles favouring employers over workers, leading to burnout and high turnover. By aligning with market needs, experienced Social Workers can always find locum opportunities.
Improved Skills & Development
By working with a wider range of teams and professionals and strengthening practice through shared experience, it makes locum Social Workers much more attractive in the market. This helps not only in terms of future career opportunities but also for continuous learning and development, helping locum workers avoid feeling stale or unchallenged within their work.
TOIL (Time Off in Lieu)
Many assume locum Social Workers miss out on paid sick leave or annual leave, but that’s not true. Since locums work set contracted hours, any extra hours can be taken back as time off more easily than permanent staff, who are often expected to work beyond their hours. This allows locums to accrue TOIL, using it for holidays or sick days while still receiving their higher hourly rate.
Larger Professional Network
Social work is a small world and the exposure to different authorities, teams and other Social Workers helps build valuable industry connections. Many locum workers have been contacted directly by previous colleagues for new locum opportunities in different areas, helping to secure more stability and attractive positions in the market through an increased network.
Higher & Weekly Pay
Locums earn higher pay rates due to their extensive experience and are paid more frequently, providing quicker access to their earnings. This ensures greater financial flexibility to support their lifestyle.
Unrestricted Career Opportunities
With the recent DFE changes, permanent employees have restrictions on where they can or can’t work in the future. For instance, most Local Authorities will not let you work as a locum in any other Local Authorities within the same Memorandum of Cooperation for at least 6 months after finishing your position. Locums can work in any location, at any time, with none of these restrictions allowing a greater number of opportunities when seeking new employment.
Less Competitive Market
Only candidates with 3+ years of experience can go locum, meaning fewer competitors for roles compared to permanent positions.
There are many benefits to working as a locum Social Worker and there is one key thing you can do to guarantee a successful locum career:
Stay flexible to market demands, and you'll always find work. While the perfect job may not exist, we can always find the best fit with benefits over your current situation. Career locums stay employed by adapting, when one role ends, the market shifts. Taking available opportunities can be a stepping stone toward long-term goals while we search for the ideal position.
How to find a Locum Social Work role:
Whether you are new to locum social work or have years of experience in the locum market, finding the right role can be tough. Using a recruitment agency is the easiest way to secure locum positions.
At Charles Hunter Associates we are a specialist recruitment agency in the social work sector. When looking for a locum social work role, you will work directly with one dedicated consultant who is an expert in the industry. They will have access to exclusive roles due to their strong relationships with managers in local authorities and private companies.
The consultant will take the time to understand what you are looking for and match you with the best fit, a fully tailored experience. They will enhance your CV, assist with interview preparation, help fill out application forms and our award-winning compliance team will complete all compliance needs and chase references. Charles Hunter Associates will also pay for your DBS.
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