The council held an open day last Friday to try to recruit social workers.

The open top bus tour was part of the recruitment day by the council to try and attract social workers.

Other activities the council put on included a question and answer session and a workshop.

Newly qualified social work students and experienced professionals went along.

Councillor Bukky Okunade, portfolio holder for Children’s Social Care said she was pleased with feedback from the day.

“Thurrock has a very unique offer to social workers,” she said.

“Being a small authority and close to London means social workers have exciting opportunities to experience many aspects of the social care system which is often not the case in larger authorities.”

Barbara Joseph from Grays was one of the interested candidates. She said: “It was a great idea. Not many councils have an open day for social workers.

“Getting to meet the different teams was a good opportunity to ask questions and find out more about being a social worker in Thurrock.”