Thousands of social workers return to profession during pandemic

Thousands of former social workers are now able to support the national effort in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Secretary Matt HancockHealth Secretary Matt Hancock
Health Secretary Matt Hancock

Social Work England, the specialist regulator for almost 100,000 social workers, has reinstated the professional registration of 8,000 former social workers so they can fill vital roles across England.

It has written to suitably qualified social workers who left the profession in the last two years to advise them that they can practise again if they wish to.

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Registration means they can apply for roles with local authorities, health trusts and other employers in England, helping to protect the public amid staff shortages.

It is also contacting social workers who are already on the professional register, but not in employment, to ask them to consider going back to social work.

Alongside the register, a campaign - Social Work Together - has been launched with the Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care and the Local Government Association to allow social workers to express their interest in employment opportunities. A website can be found at www.local.gov.uk/social-work-together.

Colum Conway, chief executive of Social Work England, said: “This is a huge joint effort with all of our partners to get social workers back into practice and to people who need their support, as fast as possible, without compromising standards or safety. People who need support in our society are more vulnerable than ever right now.

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“I would like to thank all the social workers who have already indicated that they want to come back to work, as well as all those currently practising in extremely challenging circumstances.”

Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford said: “Social workers are the unsung heroes of our society and their dedication to supporting families and children in their care during this pandemic is truly outstanding.

“The unprecedented challenges we face are putting a strain on our social care system and I am proud to see how many social workers have come forward already to play a critical role battling this virus – we owe them all a debt of gratitude.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The skill, expertise and commitment shown every day by social workers up and down the country is a vital part of our collective battle against Covid-19. I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of them.

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“We are calling on all those who left the profession within the last two years to return and support the most vulnerable during the pandemic.

“I want to give a huge thank you to all those social workers currently providing essential support to people in exceptionally difficult circumstances. It is incredibly humbling to see everybody pulling together to provide outstanding care and support to those that need it.”

Meanwhile, the North West Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (NWADASS) has launched a campaign promoting thousands of roles available to support adult social care services during the pandemic.

Councils have seen a reduction in staff numbers of up to 50 per cent due to factors related to Covid-19 and the association is looking to recruit to key worker roles, including care workers within residential care settings and in people’s own homes, as well as cleaners, cooks and many more.

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Deputy chief executive Delyth Curtis said: “There is a real issue mounting across adult social care so we have joined together to launch this much needed recruitment campaign.

“With an estimated one in four workers likely to be furloughed in the UK there is a huge number of people with incredible skills that would be greatly valued within adult social care right now."

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