Not sure whether to choose a permanent position or an agency role? Both options have their advantages, so it’s essential to find what works best for you. At Eastern Regions, we primarily focus on permanent roles, but here we break down the benefits and challenges of both permanent and agency positions to help you make an informed decision.

Permanent roles

Permanent roles offer job security and stability, which are essential for building confidence in the challenging field of social work. By working directly with one of our 11 authorities, you gain a consistent salary and more job security.

Permanent positions provide long-term financial stability and comprehensive benefits such as paid holiday, sick leave, travel discounts, and health and wellbeing initiatives. Local authorities prioritize professional development, offering structured training, mentoring, and clear career pathways to help social workers advance. Additionally, permanent roles allow for impactful work by fostering long-term connections with families and children, which are critical for effective safeguarding and promoting family welfare. Comprehensive support systems, including reflective supervision, mentoring schemes, and wellbeing programs, are also in place to ensure personal and professional success for permanent staff.

Agency roles

Agency roles may offer short-term flexibility, but they come with significant uncertainty, particularly regarding job security and benefits. While agencies often advertise hourly rates, the pay gap between agency and permanent roles has diminished in recent years.

Agency positions also might not provide the same level of benefits as permanent roles, such as pensions or paid leave. Career development opportunities in agency roles are typically limited, with fewer chances for structured training and mentoring. Additionally, agency work often lacks the continuity needed to build meaningful relationships with families and children, which can reduce the overall impact of the social worker’s interventions.

Agency social workers may miss out on the robust support systems that local authorities provide to their permanent staff. This hasn’t been helped by recent government regulations have also tightened the processes for agency placements in local authorities, adding complexity to agency roles.

Why choose a permanent children’s social worker role?

In a permanent social work position, you’ll have the chance to build closer, more meaningful relationships with the children and families you support. Unlike agency roles, which prioritize flexibility, permanent roles offer the continuity necessary to foster long-term connections. Local authorities focus on sustained interventions, which are essential for safeguarding children and promoting family wellbeing.

As a permanent member of a local authority team, you’ll experience the outcomes of your work firsthand. This ongoing connection allows you to see the lasting impact of your efforts, offering a profound sense of fulfilment and pride in knowing you’ve made a real difference in people’s lives.

Ready to make an impact? Explore the permanent roles available across our 11 authorities and find your next opportunity here.