Government launches programme to retrain 100 social workers

The Local Government Association (LGA) is launching its Return to Social Work programme which will look to retrain social workers for both adults and children who have left the profession.

The programme, run in partnership with central government and supported by the Government Equalities Office, will promote and support the recruitment of 100 experienced social workers in critical roles, providing a high quality training package for individuals who have left or taken a break from social work practice.

The West Midlands, East of England and London will be the first regions to take part in the programme.

It builds on the success of the LGA’s Come Back to Social Work campaign, which sought to retrain 20 social workers from adult, child and family social work, who had left the profession.

With social worker vacancy rates at their highest in four years, the programme is crucial to increasing the number of social workers in the sector.

Richard Watts, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “This is an exciting time for social work as we launch our Return to Social Work programme and announce that the West Midlands, East of England and London will be the first regions to take part.

“The programme will build on the success of our Come Back to Social Work campaign by offering tailored training and development placements to 100 social work returners.

“It’s easier than people think to come back to social work. This scheme will give 100 social workers the opportunity to retrain without cost. If you left social work between two and five years ago you may qualify for a place on the Return to Social Work programme.

“Social workers are extremely motivated by their passion for the profession and we hope that those who are contemplating returning take up this offer, as they can definitely make a difference for people.”