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Scheme aims to attract graduates to social care careers

Published: Friday, 19 February 2010   Category: Gap year, volunteering and charities

Graduates still unsure of what career path to take have been targeted by a new government-funded scheme aimed at recruiting social workers.

A minimum of £15,000 will be handed to those looking for graduate jobs to retrain in the field, which will include studying for a Masters degree.

All graduates to have gained a 2:1 or better can apply for the 'Step Up to Social Work' programme, while experience in working with children and families would be an added bonus.

Most of the funding for the development has come from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Approximately 200 places are available, with the decision of how money will be spent falling on the heads of each council taking part.

Keith Brumfitt, director of strategy for the Children's Workforce Development Council, which created the programme, said: "This new scheme is a really positive step in ensuring that we attract the absolute best people to pursue a career in social work.

"We want to remove potential barriers which may prevent skilled professionals from seeking to train as a social worker."

Some of the areas of social work which individuals may choose as a graduate career include supporting the homeless, those with learning disabilities or people living in foster care.

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