Council facing care worker crisis

The shortage of care workers is putting a strain on services

A council in East Yorkshire is trying to lure social workers from London amid a serious shortage of staff.

East Riding Council says one in five of its social services posts is vacant, putting a strain on its existing teams.

It is staging a recruitment drive in London on Thursday, focusing on the lifestyle advantages of moving north.

Jon Mager, director of children, family and adult services, said if not enough London workers applied the council would cast its net wider to Canada.

"We are determined to maintain and improve frontline child and adult care services and we are prepared to go to great lengths to ensure that is achieved," Mr Mager told BBC News.

Families targeted

The council has e-mailed every qualified social worker in London and invited them to Thursday's event.

Those attending will be presented with brochures highlighting the lower housing costs, easier commuting and access to countryside available in East Yorkshire.

"We are pitching this at people in their 30s and 40s with young families who want to take advantage of the better lifestyle which this region can offer," he said.

"We can't rely on covering vacant posts with temporary or agency staff because we are very concerned that that does not give us the continuity of experience required to provide high quality services to vulnerable people."

If the London event fails to attract enough staff the council will consider the more expensive alternative of recruiting from Canada and possibly eastern Europe, he said.