Social Services managers in Oxfordshire hope to save £250,000 a year by signing exclusive contracts with employment agencies.

Temporary staff, used to cover short-term absences, cost the social services department £1.5m a year.

The bill is expected to fall significantly now that Champion Employment takes full responsibility for supplying administrative and catering temporaries.

Social Services employs 3,100 staff in Oxford. No other council departments have exclusive agency contracts.

A further exclusive agency contract for temporary care staff will follow in the next few weeks, as part of continuing efforts to save money.

Vicky Field, head of personnel at social services, said: "We shall do all we can to employ permanent staff, but we have to recognise the realities of the employment market in Oxfordshire. Given the nature of our services, there will always be a need for agency workers.

"We have taken this step to ensure the quality of service, protection of users and to minimise costs."

Champion, an Oxfordshire recruitment agency, competed with national companies to win the contract in a rigorous selection procedure that began in February.

Tracy Hoodless, founder of Champion, said: "We have supplied the county council with staff for 20 years and are excited to extend our partnership with them.

"Our temporaries enjoy working for social services and many have secured permanent jobs in the department."