“Mr Tregoning, internet searches indicate that UK Pro is a UK company registered with Companies House since April 2003. They do not appear to be USA based or have any overseas subsidiaries registered in Chicago. Their website confirms that they specalise in employing or finding staff from the USA to work in child welfare jobs in Children and Families Teams in the UK and elsewhere. I would once again like to ask why do these council employees have to travel to America to interview the shortlisted candidates? An alternative more cost effective option could possibly be to approach Dr Lyn Evans (CERN) who may be able to advise you how to set up a video conferencing facility similar to the one detailed in the Evening Post on the 12th March 2010.As a bonus to Council tax payers all the travel and accomadation costs saved could then be deducted from UK Pro's finders fee or cashback given. The individuals who have been authorised by someone in Social Services to travel to America could then spend their time in the UK dealing with the difficult staffing and client issues described in various letters and website feedbaback facility regarding this topic.”

“Chris Swansea. You work in education? I counted six English errors in three sentences. That is more of a worry to me.”

“Social Services do pay to put staff through Social Work training every year to fill the vacancies in Child & Family, but training takes 4 years and the current increase in demand (which has affected the whole of the UK) could not have been predicted. Without extra staff in post soon, the pressure on those who do work there is unbearable and there will continue to be a retention problem. Agency workers are always expensive, but it is cheaper getting staff from the States, and if it stops experienced workers leaving then it's worth it.”

“Just a couple of questions which centre around whether Swansea Social Services have a relationship with any Universities ( UWIC for example ) where students will be graduating shortly and looking for jobs. Also are existing staff members being offered the opportuniry to study for qualifications like DipSW; a comment below suggests no.

Someone comments on it being wrong that new staff are being asked to go into Children's Services; if they ask a Social work practioner they will suggest there is nothing wrong with this practice as they will receive 'on the job' training.

What a waste paying an American agency, but hey a nice jolly for those who went.”

“i think this is terrible. i work within this field but in education and want to progress into social work. I have the experience but yet cant become a social worker as ive not got the relevant degree, yet im working with social workers and doing a similar job on a day to day basis. Look closer to home!!!!!!”

“Re: these overseas social workers - I ask the Council

1. Will the social workers be paying tax and insurance?

2. Will they be having FREE or SUBSIDISED housing?

3. Will we be subsidising their council tax and utility bills?

4. Will we be supplying FREE transport?

5. If they have families will we be subsidising their living costs?

6. Will the council be insisting on tying these new recruits into long term contracts?

Perhaps the council or the cabinet member previously referred to as [three jobs Tregoning] please answer my questions.”

“Gareth Perry, London - Only when certain London Boroughs put their own Social Services houses back into order, can the citizens of those same London Boroughs dictate to those that reside outside London! Or have you Gareth, forgotten about the Victoria Climbie's and the Baby P's that just so happen to have been abused in the not so great city of London!?”

“Clearly an inept recruitment and retainment policy, overseen by inept amateurs. Unfortunately the public sector is politically driven, unlike the private sector which is driven by business and what`s best for the company and it`s customers. Occasionally the private sector gets the political disease and screws up, but more often than not business is run effectively and profitably. It doesn`t matter who gets` in, they will all make the same political mistakes, the only difference is the severity and how quickly they screw up.”

“Has a Swansea born citizen,i have always sold our City as "God's Country" Now unfortunatly over the time this ruling led Lib/Dem council of ours have been in power, I can see Swansea just declining. The problem is there are not the councillors with any feeling for our City. They are just complete Amatures , playing at Professional issues, their abilities in overseeing big business is so very limited. Again this issue of seeking Social Workers from different countries, at tremendous expense is just another prime example. Swansea and most of Wales have the highest unemployment in the U.K. Recruit within, there are many highly educationly qualified people who would love to have steady employment, even if they do need some familarize training. for these positions.”

“"Justice for Linda Lewis."”