Unitary Change Means Long-Term Opportunities For Locums

With the Unitary status coming into effect by March 2009, there has been a freeze on permanent recruitment and councils are struggling under the strain. As a result of this, Local Authorities have been given the budget to recruit locum solicitors to help with the workload.

An example of the impending changes is that of the County of Cheshire, where two unitary councils of East and West Cheshire will be created. This will mean seven councils being reduced to two in a move that is expected to save £16m per year.

Although this move will serve to improve services and save money it has left the councils within Cheshire in a period of transitional change. Permanent recruitment has been frozen and, coupled with the problem of staff leaving to find increased job security, has created a dilemma where the Councils need to recruit staff but are only permitted to recruit for contracts that end on or before the 31st March 2009.

As Councils struggle to fill gaps in their teams, staff are being moved internally in order to cover the workload. However this is still insufficient and, as caseloads continue to be high, there is the need for locums to come in and assist Local Authorities.

In the last two months, Sellick Partnership has been approached by a number of Authorities nationwide to recruit for positions commencing imminently. These contracts will continue on until March 2009.

If you are interested in hearing more about these vacancies please contact Lucy Tootell on 0161 834 1642 or e-mail her at lucy.tootell@sellickpartnership.co.uk