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Graduate Recruitment Scheme

We are piloting a post-graduate course aimed at high achieving individuals who have not previously worked in the social work field.

The Graduate Recruitment Scheme for social work

To help employers of social workers address the challenges of finding enough talented and committed people to meet the needs of children, young people and families, CWDC is piloting ways of attracting into the profession people who would not previously have considered a career in children's social work.

This includes piloting a post-graduate course aimed at high achieving individuals who have not previously worked in the social work field. Over 100 graduates began their studies in autumn 2008. The pilot will be evaluated to identify whether targeting high achieving graduates leads to more capable social workers and better outcomes for children, young people and families.

On 16 June 2009, a conference was held for graduates and workforce leads to celebrate their first year of being involved with this scheme. Over one hundred people attended and made the day a great success for CWDC.

Recently the Government announced that the graduate recruitment scheme will run for a further cohort of 200 graduates from September 2009. CWDC has started gauging interest from all local authorities across England by writing and sending e-shots to directors of children's services. This will be followed up by an intensive marketing campaign commencing in early July and August 2009 targeting local authorities and graduates through a variety of media outlets.

On 9 July 2009, an information half-day will be held, where those local authorities who submitted an expression of interest will be invited to come along and receive further information about the scheme. Topics on the day will include a detailed briefing on the eligibility criteria, and will also highlight areas of best practice identified during the first year of the scheme. The expansion of this scheme will help to increase the number of highly competent social workers entering the profession, which will only have a positive impact on the lives of children, young people and families.

If you are a graduate and not sure what career path to tread or are in a career that you don't enjoy, then why not become a qualified children and young people's social worker and make a real difference to someone's life.

For further information regarding this scheme's eligibility criteria and application process, please ring 0113 290 4020 or e-mail us at socialwork@cwdcouncil.org.uk

Page updated: 26 June 2009
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