Consultation launched on social work bursary

A consultation has been launched to review the social work bursary scheme in order to ensure it continues to attract sufficient high quality candidates to come forward to study and work as social workers. This follows from recommendations made by the Social Work Taskforce.

At a time of financial pressures there is a need to ensure that funding for social work education delivers value for money. In order to ensure quality and achieving value for money it has been decided to consult on reforming the bursary. Five options are set out in the consultation document.

In preparation of this consultation the Department has discussed the range of possible options with representatives of the Social Work Reform Board and an External Reference Group. Their involvement has been helpful in developing the five options.

The aim is to introduce the reformed social work bursary during the 2013 academic year.  Existing students, including those starting in academic year 2012, will remain on current schemes and will not be affected by this review.

Comments are welcomed from social work students (prospective and current), social work employers, higher education institutions offering social work qualifying courses and service user and carers by 27 July 2012. Comments should be submitted through the response form to: [email protected]

Read the consultation document
Read the impact assessment
Download response form