Supporting the supporters

CWDC director of strategy Keith Brumfitt discusses work underway to support social work and the forthcoming launch of a major national campaign to recruit the next generation of social workers

Established in 2005, the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) exists to improve the lives of children, young people, families and carers by ensuring that those working with them have the best possible training, qualifications, support and advice It also helps children and young people’s organisations and services work together better so that children are at the centre of all services. CWDC is working hand in hand with local government to support the implementation of Every Child Matters.

Social work is changing. Despite recent events and intense media scrutiny, there is widespread recognition that social workers need more support, particularly in relation to promoting and celebrating the crucial contribution they make to the lives of children and young people.

This year we’re putting £32m into supporting social workers who work with children and young people. As part of that, we’re focusing on three key areas - recruitment, retention and reform - and are running 15 national projects which currently affect thousands of social workers. To ensure we have world-class social workers to work with children, young people and families, we need to attract more talented, committed candidates. In September, CWDC launches a national marketing campaign to improve understanding of social workers and attract a wider range of high-calibre people into the profession. This is part of a wider programme of work which CWDC is leading to develop better skilled, supervised and supported social workers.

One of our key areas of work is the Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) pilot programme. It puts those in their first role through a structured and managed induction year with reduced caseload, time set aside for training and development, and guaranteed support and supervisionfrom employers in order to meet a set of nationally agreed expectations.

The programme started this year with 1,000 people working for 89 different local authorities. From September, the offer broadens to include all newly qualified social workers working with children and young people in a voluntary or maintained sector environment. In addition to many local authorities running ‘grow your own’ social worker programmes, CWDC is also part funding a Graduate Recruitment Scheme pilot to help attract high calibre graduates into the profession.

The scheme will provide up to £15,000 part-funding for 200 places nationwide for graduates on the social work Masters Degree for each of their two study years. It will target high achieving graduates who aren’t currently employed in social work or social care. Applications for funding are open until 31 August and the pilot begins in September.

To address issues of retention in the early years of practice, CWDC is running an Early Professional Development programme for second and third year practitioners, providing specified expectations to ensure better national consistency and support. We’re also working with local authorities to recognise excellent senior frontline expertise and experience by developing Advanced Social Work Professional Status, launching this October.

For those professionals who miss the cut and thrust of frontline work, the return to social work programme provides an opportunity to return to the workforce with full advice and support. It will bring mature expertise, knowledge and perspective to the profession, which with the new wider routes to entry, will create a well-balanced and diverse workforce. Piloted initially in London and the South East, a 20-day intensive training course will bring returners to social work up to date with necessary skills, knowledge and legislation. Training programmes will be commissioned from interested HEIs and employers to deliver a mixture of classroom and practice based development.

The on-the-job social work training, which was recently announced by the government, is a new employment-based pathway providing a more flexible route for high quality graduates to complete their Masters degree and qualify as a social worker with children and families.

Set for delivery across England from 2011, the programme will help 200 high calibre mid-career changers such as teachers and lawyers to join the profession without having to return to full-time study. Graduate professionals will be paid around £15,000 a year while training. 200 places will be available from September 2010 with recruitment for the scheme beginning immediately and selection in the New Year. The programme is fully funded through CWDC and local authorities can decide whether to opt in.

Tragic and shocking events in recent years have put the profession under intense scrutiny. We recognise that the system has not always worked as well as it should and as a result, social work is changing.

There is wide recognition that collectively we need to do more to support social workers through every stage of their careers – and we call on local government executives to work with us on this vital programme of work. Social workers are unsung heroes and do a challenging job. They work with society’s most vulnerable people and play a vital role in safeguarding children and young people. In short, they make a difference. We simply can’t leave them isolated and unsupported.

For more information about any of the reform strands set out in this feature, please visit www. cwdcouncil.org.uk or contact socialwork@ cwdcouncil.org.uk or call 0113 390 7626. For more information about the return to social work programme, call 0300 123 1220. To find out more about being a social worker with children, young people and families, call 0845 781 0815 or search ‘be the difference’.