Services are being affected as Fermanagh faces a recruitment crisis in social work. It was revealed this week that nine social workers are employed full time within the county and that a total of 19 would be required to take "the team to its full capacity."

The worrying figures were revealed after Deirdre Mahon, Director of Women and Children's Services for Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT), said that the Trust were having "real difficulty" in recruiting social workers in Fermanagh and that social workers from other areas of the Trust were travelling to provide provision in Enniskillen:

"As you can imagine, Enniskillen is a particular area that unless you are from that area, a lot of people don't want to travel to that area," she told BBC Radio Foyle this week.

In response to questions from the Impartial Reporter the WHSCT stated that "services have been affected due to staff shortages."

"The Trust has had to prioritise the cases requiring allocation based on those families identified as being in greatest need. All Child Protection cases are currently allocated," a spokesperson said.

This recruitment crisis comes at a time when more children than ever are needing social services. A report from the Trust stated that there are 6016 'children in need' in the Trust area, and that this represents a 19% increase and an additional 964 cases for social workers.

665 children are being "looked after" by the Trust, according to the report, representing an increase in 77 children in an 18-month period, while the number of children on the Child Protection Register has also increased during this time.

Deirdre Mahon said: "The Western Trust ensures that every day the needs of children and young people in our care are attended to whether the child is in foster care or residential care. Despite our best efforts the number of children for which we are now taking parental responsibility for, is at an all-time high. There are many reasons for this including: family illness, family stresses and breakdown, impact of poverty and domestic violence or challenging behaviour of young people."

Deirdre Mahon added: "The Trust takes very seriously its responsibility as a corporate parent and makes every effort to ensure we do the best we can for the most vulnerable children living in the Western Trust area."

When asked why there was a current shortfall in social workers in the Fermanagh area the Trust pointed to a number of factors.

"The reasons for the current shortage in the area is related to a limited pool of qualified Social Workers willing and available to work in the Fermanagh area.

This is compounded further by it being a border region with two health authorities competing for the same pool of staff."

The Trust explained that they have identified recruitment as being a serious issue and as well as continually trying to fill positions they are targeting a campaign in schools to raise awareness of a career in health and social care:

"The Trust, through Pathfinder, is underway with a significant look at workforce and recruitment challenges with a view to achieving sustainable solutions for Fermanagh and West Tyrone. This will include working closely with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and delivering a strong marketing campaign on health and social care careers through Primary Schools, Post Primary Schools and Further Education Colleges in the region," Mr. Kieran Downey, Deputy Chief Executive of the WHSCT stated.