THE Department of Social Care will ask Tynwald for almost half a million pounds to pay for 10 new social workers.
According to the department the additional staff are "urgently needed" after a 50 per cent increase in the workload of the Children and Family Services division over the last year.
The increase in work has been attributed to the introduction of improved child protection procedures and the increase in support given to the courts in relation to cases involving children.
In July last year the Department of Social Care conducted a review of its services, helped by independent experts, which concluded that 10 additional staff were required in the department, as well as additional staff training and investment into IT.
10 staff from a UK agency were brought to the Island last year but the department has said this is not a long term solution as it is too expensive and does not provide effective, continuous care for the children concerned.
The department will now ask for £498,000 at the July sitting of Tynwald to fund the new posts which it says are integral to the department meeting its performance targets.
Social Care Minister Martyn Quayle MHK said: "Protecting the vulnerable in our community is a key aspect of government's and in particular my department's role.
"I can confirm that my department's proposals secured approval from the Council of Ministers who recognise that ensuring the Island's children are adequately protected is essential.
"Despite the rising demand for my department's services we have plans in place to deliver staff savings - such that my department requires no increase in its head count budget in order to recruit the extra staff.
"However due to rising non-staff costs (principally social security benefits) it is impossible for my department to fully fund the additional staff and other planned improvements within its existing revenue vote.
"Therefore I will bring a motion seeking a supplementary vote for the necessary funds to the July sitting of Tynwald."
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