Increasing numbers of graduates are using agencies to find social work jobs, according to last week's report by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

The GSCC's annual report on social work education for 2008-9 revealed that 11% of newly qualified social workers in England were electing for agency work - twice as many as in 2006-7, when just 6% sought to start their careers through agencies.

Tracey Newcomb, associate director of a firm which works with local authorities to resource social work staff, said that new graduates felt that agency work would be less stressful than a permanent position with a local authority.

"Newly qualified practitioners have reported that they fell they will 'suck it in and see' by joining an agency to test the water. They also feel that being with an agency gives them the freedom and flexibility to move on if it's too difficult" said Newcomb.

She added that there was "an ever increasing perception among students" that sometimes a full time role with a council can be "stressful and unrewarding."

A spokesperson for the department of Skills and Care has said that it is working with recruitment agencies to develop a flexible process for sourcing newly qualified staff through agency to positions in local authorities. They added that department's position was "that we should be working to ensure that any newly qualified social worker can benefit from framework support."

Extra support for new social work graduates is being funded by the Government in response to similar sentiments expressed in last years Social Work Task Force report.

Dave Hill, policy lead on social work reform for The Association of Directors of Children's Services said that the planned "Extra supervision and reduced caseloads should relieve fears that going straight into a statutory setting is too stressful. In fact, it should be an encouraging and supportive environment for social workers to hone their skills and develop a wide range of experiences."