Solihull Council’s leader, Councillor Karen Grinsell, has pledged to focus on retaining the talented staff who have driven significant improvements within the authority’s children’s services department.
Speaking at a recent council meeting, Grinsell, who also serves as the lead member for children and education, emphasised the reduction of agency staff from 50% to just 15%. This shift reflects the authority’s commitment to building a strong, permanent workforce.
Solihull’s children’s services underwent intense scrutiny following the tragic murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes in 2020. However, with dedicated effort, the department has transformed, earning a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted for the first time in the authority’s history. The council announced last week that government intervention in the department has officially ended.
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Recruitment and retention of social workers remain a major challenge, as the department historically relied heavily on agency personnel. In 2024, Beate Wagner, the former director of children’s services, described this as the “greatest challenge” in the improvement process. Similarly, Sir Alan Wood, the government-appointed commissioner at the time, called it a “real serious issue.”
Recent updates have been more optimistic. Andrea Ashley, the council’s HR business manager, reported in March that several agency workers in key positions have been converted to permanent staff, and vacancy levels have significantly decreased. “We are in a very good position,” Ashley confirmed.
At the first children’s services and education scrutiny board meeting following the elections, Councillor Grinsell outlined staff retention as a central priority for the year ahead. “While agency staff will always fill gaps, our focus will be on retaining good staff,” she said.
Councillor Keith Green raised concerns about staff retention amid a competitive job market, noting the risk of losing experienced employees to better offers elsewhere. Grinsell responded by highlighting the positive workplace culture and supportive team environment that contribute to staff satisfaction. “It’s like a family here,” she said. “Staff feel much happier now. While salary competitiveness is important, the environment we create plays a crucial role in retention.”
Looking ahead, Grinsell also noted that the council will be focusing on implementing government reforms related to social care, education, and particularly SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
The meeting took place at Solihull’s Civic Suite on June 4.