Fast track social worker plans to be unvieled

The children’s secretary Ed Balls is due to reveal plans encouraging professionals to switch careers to social work, following recruitment problems in the wake of the Baby P case.

Mr Balls who is speaking at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services Conference today, is to offer 200 people the chance to change careers and earn £15,000 while retraining.

The fast track scheme is hoped to appeal to those who want to get into social work, but may be put off by the idea of a 3-year unpaid degree.

The government would foot the training costs and students will be placed at councils across the country for around 200 days on the job training.

Kim Bromley-Derry, president of the ADCS, gave the scheme a cautious welcome saying it must not take qualified social workers from the front line.

‘While any initiative that will increase the supply of social workers in the system is welcome, the devil will be, as always in the detail.

‘Training new social workers is not cost neutral, even when their salaries are being paid from central funds.’

Social worker recruitment and retention has taken a huge blow following their treatment in the tabloid press, particularly after the disturbing ‘Baby P’ case.