Newly Qualified Social Worker Project

Children’s Social Workers have the highest vacancy and turnover rates of any local authority employee group. Vacancies are reported to be costing Children’s Services in some counties up to £1m every year. The Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) project provided support in solving issues such as lack of skills and training in order to enable a reduction in turnover and sickness rates. Efficiences per social worker retained can amount to over £60,000.

What did we set out to achieve?

• Support local authorities and their partners to meet efficiency targets of £30m over five years
• Work with the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to recruit the right people and provide specilised training
• Facilitate improvements in safeguarding of children across south east
• Reduce Social worker turnover in Children’s Services pilot sites to 12% from 17%

What have we achieved so far?

2 rounds of training have been completed with participants from Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton & Isle of Wight councils. An evaluation of outcomes is taking place. Approx. 85 newly qualified social workers have taken part.

Training materials are being updated following the learning from the initial training groups and should be available from this website soon.

How can your council benefit?

For further information on this training, please contact: amanda.lloyd@southeastiep.gov.uk