The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and the Government are teaming up in a new joint venture that promises to attract the country’s top graduates into the social work profession.

The Step Up to Social Work scheme will give up to 200 graduates in England a £15,000 incentive to retrain as a children’s social worker. The scheme will run in eight regional areas, including parts of the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the South East and will be available for Masters courses in Social Work throughout universities across England.

Each of the thirteen local authority partnerships taking part in the initiative will determine exactly how the cash is spent, with a minimum of 85% going towards the graduate and the rest being spent on the costs of supporting the programme.

Director of Strategy for the CWDC, Keith Brumfitt, explained:

“This new scheme is a really positive step in ensuring that we attract the absolute best people to pursue a career in social work. We want to remove potential barriers which may prevent skilled professionals from seeking to train as a social worker."

Graduates with a 2:1 degree, or higher, and with some experience of working with children, can apply online at www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/stepup. All placements are due to start this September and include work-based training.

Mr Brumfitt added:

“Step Up to Social Work is a perfect opportunity for people with relevant qualifications and experience working with children who want to change their career while being supported financially.

“By teaming up with the Local Authorities, we can ensure that what the training candidates receive is relevant, allowing employers to play an active role in developing the next generation of social workers. 'Step Up to Social Work' is just one of the many ways that we are engaging and supporting the social work workforce of the future,"

Once graduates have completed the course they will then be eligible for further support through the CWDC’s Newly Qualified Social Worker and Early Professional Development programmes, which both offer funding for training, regular supervision and specialist support for new social workers.

Source: CWDC