A SUGGESTION, repeated over many years, that poor pay lies behind the chronic shortage of social workers in Birmingham, is rejected by the inquiry.

The investigation found that wage levels are as good as, if not better than, those in other large cities, and that staff also benefit from “golden hello” payments of up to £2,500 when joining the city council.

The problem is not so much recruiting qualified staff as retaining them once they arrive in Birmingham to start work.

Research shows that the financial increments, introduced in 2007, have had a “negligible” impact on retention levels.

Colin Tucker, director of children’s services, believes the enormous challenges of the job and the mental and physical toll taken means that most social workers can remain in the job for only a certain period before quitting to seek an easier working life.