Recruitment drive turns around Croydon’s social work service

A drive to recruit more full time social workers in Croydon following the Baby P tragedy means 98 per cent of staff in the borough will be permanent by November compared to just 16 per cent at the start of the year.

Children and young people are also benefiting from one of the first social work academies set up in the UK, providing staff with intensive and structured training.

The academy has been running as a pilot since January and will be officially launched at Fairfield Hall on Thursday.

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said: “This has been a spectacular turn-around for our children’s social services department.

“In less than a year we have created a stable and committed team who have the full support of a professional training and development unit that will ensure that our work with young people meets the very highest standards in the country.

“Although agency social workers can at times be an essential part of the service, we are determined to maintain a team that can deliver consistent support to those who most need it.”