Israel Launches Pilot Program to Recruit Former Social Workers

In an effort to address a severe shortage of social workers in local authorities, the Center for Local Government, the Ministry of Welfare, and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) have initiated a pilot program. This program aims to re-engage social workers who have left the profession or moved to the private sector, as well as retirees, by offering flexible employment opportunities of up to 20% of a full-time position. The initiative, named "HaMese'yet" (The Assistant), utilizes a digital platform and app to recruit individuals for roles with critical staffing needs.

The pilot will initially involve up to 30 social workers, each working approximately 35 hours per month, with an hourly wage ranging from 85 to 130 shekels. The project's budget is around 1.5 million shekels, with 1 million shekels funded by the Ministry of Welfare. Hila Moyal, director of HaMese'yet, stated that the program targets social workers not currently practicing or working outside local government, alongside retirees, emphasizing the flexibility to balance this work with other careers, such as in high-tech.

The pilot will commence in six municipalities: Rishon LeZion, Netanya, Rehovot, Hod HaSharon, Ra'anana, and Elad. Identified tasks suitable for flexible employment include home visits, intake assessments, needs assessments, and rights fulfillment. Since registration opened, approximately 100 candidates have applied.

Iris Florentin, Deputy Director General of Administration and Strategy at the Ministry of Welfare, highlighted that the recruitment and work processes have been adapted to the expectations of younger generations, featuring digital recruitment, flexibility, and competitive pay. However, the Israeli Social Workers Union has expressed concerns, with Chairwoman Inbal Hermoni stating that while the union supports the pilot to mitigate damage and ensure professionalism, it views it as a temporary fix. The union will not permit the program to continue beyond its six-month duration in its current form, insisting on direct employment.

The shortage of social workers is exacerbated by an increasing demand for services, particularly following the October 7th events. A state comptroller's report indicated that while social worker positions have increased, the rate of unfilled positions grew from 13% in 2022 to an estimated 16% by mid-2025, totaling 1,155 vacancies. Data from the Taub Center suggests the situation worsened, with 18% of positions unfilled by March 2026. Many social workers face heavy caseloads, with some handling over 50 cases, and a significant percentage report not receiving payment for overtime, especially since the war began.