Retention Payment for Children's Social Workers

​Milton Keynes City Council offers a retention payment for eligible qualified social work professionals working within specific Children's Social Care services. This payment recognises the valuable contribution of staff who support some of the city's most vulnerable children, young people and families.

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The payment is available to eligible employees in a range of qualified social work roles across services including Family Help and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Corporate Parenting, Children with Disabilities and Contextual Safeguarding.

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Eligible employees may receive a retention payment of up to £2,000 per year (pro rata for part-time employees), paid in two instalments, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria. Payments are non-consolidated, subject to tax, National Insurance and pension contributions, and do not form part of contractual salary.

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Eligibility is assessed at the end of each qualifying period and is subject to continued employment and satisfactory performance. The scheme is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains appropriate and aligned with workforce retention needs

 

The retention payment is available to qualified Social Workers employed in the following roles within specified Children's Social Care teams.

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Retention Payment​

Eligible qualified social workers in the following Children's Social Care roles may receive a retention payment of up to £2,000 per year (pro rata for part-time employees).

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How is it paid?

The retention payment is paid twice a year, in October and April, in two equal instalments. Payments are subject to eligibility criteria and continued employment at the end of each qualifying period.

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Eligible roles​

• Service Manager

• Team Manager

• Deputy Team Manager

• Senior Practitioner

• Lead Child Protection Practitioner

• Social Worker

• Professional Lead Missing Exploitation

• Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW)

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Eligible teams​

• Family Help and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams

• Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), including the Emergency Social Work Team

• Corporate Parenting (Children in Care and Care Leavers Team)

• Children with Disabilities (Children in Need) Team

• Contextual Safeguarding Team

 

Eligible roles Employees must also

• Meet the essential qualification and experience requirements for their role.

• Remain employed at the end of the qualifying period.

• Have satisfactory performance as assessed by management and in line with Social Work England professional standards.

• Not be subject to an upheld formal disciplinary sanction that is still in force.​​