Moving from agency to permanent was not initially part of the not initially part of the plan for three social workers at South Gloucestershire, when rules limiting English councils’ use of locums came into force.

But when the rules were implemented in October 2025, the option to go permanent revealed a range of opportunities that they may not otherwise have known existed.

Tom, Jariatu and Charliejo explain more.

Listen below and read the transcript.

About the Social Work Community Podcast

The Social Work Community Podcast explores the issues that matter to social work practitioners in their working lives. Senior commercial editors Kirsty Ayakwah and Sharmeen Ziauddin interview experienced and inspiring guests, including frontline social workers who speak from the heart about their jobs, the sector and society. 

It was nominated, alongside Community Care Inform’s Learn on the go podcast, in the audio content category at the 2026 Professional Publishers Association Awards.

It can be found on all major podcasting platforms including:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Click ‘follow’ or ‘subscribe’ on your podcast app so you know when a new episode is published. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date with the latest news and sign up for the Social Work Community to join the conversation on all things social work.

Read more here:

Councils using fewer agency social workers on back of rules - Community Care

 

Moving from agency to permanent was not initially part of the not initially part of the plan for three social workers at South Gloucestershire, when rules limiting English councils&rsquo; use of locums came into force.
But when the rules were implemented in <a href="https://www.communitycare.co.uk/content/news/councils-using-far-fewer-agency-social-workers-in-childrens-services-in-wake-of-dfe-rules">October 2025</a>, the option to go permanent revealed a range of opportunities that they may not otherwise have known existed.
Tom, Jariatu and Charliejo explain more.
Listen below and&nbsp;read the <a href="/media/5iqba1s1/transcript-making-the-transition-three-social-workers-discuss-the-unexpected-benefits-of-moving-from-agency-to-permanent.pdf">transcript.</a>
About the Social Work Community Podcast
The Social Work Community Podcast explores the issues that matter to social work practitioners in their working lives. Senior commercial editors Kirsty Ayakwah and Sharmeen Ziauddin interview experienced and inspiring guests, including frontline social workers who speak from the heart about their jobs, the sector and society.&nbsp;
It was nominated, alongside Community Care Inform&rsquo;s Learn on the go podcast, in the audio content category at the <a href="https://ppaawards.co.uk/2026/en/page/shortlist26">2026 Professional Publishers Association Awards</a>.
It can be found on all major podcasting platforms including:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7iRzMlc76mWse5B40m98EV">Spotify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-social-work-community-podcast/id1714472159">Apple Podcasts</a></li>
</ul>
Click &lsquo;follow&rsquo; or &lsquo;subscribe&rsquo; on your podcast app so you know when a new episode is published. And don&rsquo;t forget to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/communitycareofficial">follow us on Instagram&nbsp;</a>to keep up-to-date with the latest news and&nbsp;<a href="https://thesocialworkcommunity.com/">sign up for the Social Work Community</a> to join the conversation on all things social work.
Read more here:
<a href="https://www.communitycare.co.uk/content/news/councils-using-far-fewer-agency-social-workers-in-childrens-services-in-wake-of-dfe-rules">Councils using fewer agency social workers on back of rules - Community Care</a>
&nbsp;

The Social Work Community podcast is where social workers come to discuss the key issues affecting their profession. Whether you are a student or an experienced social worker - whether you are frontline or management, this podcast is for you. You will hear direct from social workers in your community about their successes and their challenges.

Follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date with the latest news and join the Social Work Community for all things social work.

The Social Work Community podcast is where social workers come to discuss the key issues affecting their profession. Whether you are a student or an experienced social worker - whether you are frontline or management, this podcast is for you. You will hear direct from social workers in your community about their successes and their challenges. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/communitycareofficial/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow us on Instagram</a> to keep up-to-date with the latest news and <a href="https://thesocialworkcommunity.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">join the Social Work Community</a> for all things social work.

The Social Work Community podcast is where social workers come to discuss the key issues affecting their profession. Whether you are a student or an experienced social worker - whether you are frontline or management, this podcast is for you. You will...