Return to social work programme relaunched

The Local Government Association (LGA) has teamed up with the Government Equalities Office (GEO) to relaunch the Return to Social Work programme.

The national scheme, which aims to get former social workers back into the care sector, was originally launched in 2017 and, according to an LGA spokesman, has already trained and recruited dozens of staff.

The spokesman said 60 per cent of councils feel that the retention of care staff is one the biggest challenges facing the sector. The LGA said that by getting more social workers back into communities, it can ensure that vulnerable adults and children can continue to rely on the support of social workers they so desperately need.

Candidates will be eligible to apply for the scheme until 31 March, with the programme beginning in May 2020. Placements vary according to how long trained social workers have been out of the profession.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘Councils are committed to ensuring children and adults of all ages have access to high-quality care and support.

‘We are delighted to open up the scheme again after it proved so successful last year. Councils are desperate to get good quality, trained professionals on their books.

‘The LGA looks forward to working with the Government Equalities Office to ensure our communities are equipped with social workers that they need as demand increases.’

Minister for women and equalities, Liz Truss, said: ‘No one should be held back in their career because they have taken time out of their job to care for a loved one.

‘Councils across the country need the talent, experience and care these people can bring to this vitally important work.

‘We are investing in returners to work – giving them the opportunity to refresh and grow their skills. By acting on this issue we can fill empty jobs across the country and achieve true equality in our workplaces.’

A spokesman for the LGA said the scheme’s success could also see it replicated across other local government professions identified as at risk of recruitment crises – including planning, ICT and legal departments, central to the functioning of local government.

Across these professions, 55 per cent of councils report that they have difficulties recruiting planners, 24 per cent report difficulties recruiting legal staff and 17 report difficulties recruiting ICT professionals.

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