There’s never a dull moment in social work! As the sector evolves, societal, political, and economic factors constantly challenge practitioners and their employers, keeping them on their toes.

As recruiters, we’re seeing key trends and challenges that impact both employers and job seekers. In this article, we’ll explore the state of social work recruitment in late 2024, highlighting areas of high demand, recruitment obstacles, and the tension between remote and in-person roles.

Growing Demand for Social Workers

The demand for qualified social workers is expected to continue to rise. This is driven by several factors:

• Aging Population: As the population continues to age, there is an increased need for adult’s social workers, including mental health support, end-of-life care, and case management for older adults.
• Mental Health Crisis: The mental health crisis, still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to affect many communities. Social workers are needed in various sectors, such as schools, healthcare settings, and community organisations, to address mental health issues and provide support for individuals and families.
• Child Welfare and Protection: With rising concerns about child welfare, social workers are in high demand in child protection agencies, foster care services, and with family counselling. Employers are particularly focused on finding professionals with expertise in family intervention and trauma-informed care.
• Healthcare Sector Growth: Medical social workers remain essential in hospitals and healthcare settings, where they help patients navigate complex health systems, provide emotional support, and coordinate care. This sector is expected to see continued growth due to rising healthcare demands and ongoing public health issues.

Social Work Recruitment Trends

Several trends are shaping the social work recruitment landscape in 2024, making it both an exciting and challenging time for job seekers and employers alike.

1. Increased Focus on Specialised Roles

Employers are increasingly looking for social workers with specialised skills. Areas like trauma-informed care, substance abuse counselling, and crisis intervention are seeing particularly high demand. For job seekers, acquiring advanced training in niche areas can significantly boost job prospects.

2. Remote vs. In-Person Social Work

The rise of remote work across many industries has impacted social work as well, although the transition is not straightforward due to the profession’s reliance on face-to-face interactions.

• Remote Social Work: It’s now possible for social workers to use video calls or phone sessions. This trend has opened up new opportunities for social workers seeking flexible work arrangements, allowing them to work from home while providing essential services.
• In-Person Social Work: Despite the rise in remote services, many social work roles still require a physical presence. Fields like child protection, community outreach, and healthcare social work often demand in-person interaction, especially when handling sensitive or crisis situations. Many employers have moved quickly to provide a balance where possible. For those who want them, hybrid roles are available – useful for employers looking to attract top talent while ensuring that the quality of services is maintained.

3. Technology Integration

In 2024, social work has continued to adopt new technologies to streamline case management, data collection, and client communication. Employers are looking for social workers who are comfortable using digital tools such as case management software, telehealth platforms, and electronic health records (EHR). Job seekers with strong tech skills are likely to have a competitive edge in the hiring process.

4. Diversity and Inclusion

There’s a growing push for diversity and inclusion in social work recruitment. Employers are actively seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds to better reflect the communities they serve. Additionally, social workers who specialise in cultural competence and have experience working with marginalised populations are in high demand.

As we head toward the end of 2024, the social work sector is as dynamic as ever. It continues to be shaped by skills shortages, evolving recruitment trends, and persistent funding issues. Nevertheless, the need to reduce risk factors and improve life chances for children, families and adults, many with complex needs is not going anywhere. Social work employers are looking for people with a pro-active, persevering, non-shaming and collaborative approach. Multi-agency work is also essential, as are creative strategies and practical methodologies. For recruiters and employers, the key to success lies in addressing these trends head-on, attracting and retaining top talent, and nurturing a workforce that is ready to tackle a diverse and complex caseload.