'Inadequate' children's services department launches bid to halt exodus of social workers

A new social worker academy is being launched by Tameside Council’s failing children’s services to help recruit, train and retain staff.

The department - which was rated ‘inadequate’ in its latest Ofsted report - has been losing staff for months on end.

Last month Cllor Teresa Smith was appointed the executive board meber for the department following the departure of Cllr Bill Fairfoull.

Now in a bid to slow the exodus of staff a new Academy has been designed to offer a 36-month programme of high-quality learning and development for newly qualified social workers, who will be supported by experienced practitioners within children’s services. 

The council says Tthis will help strengthen and stabilise the workforce and reduce the need for agency social workers.

The Social Worker Academy pathway recognises that staff are its greatest asset and will provide good supervision and management support, with opportunities for learning and development. 

The training will align newly qualified staff with experienced colleagues, building on social worker retention and providing future career development for those that have completed the training.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Teresa Smith, said: “The launch of the Social Worker Academy is an exciting step in our improvement journey and will offer high quality training and development opportunities for our social workers while also increasing the quality of support that is offered to our families in Tameside. 

“This training programme will provide newly qualified social workers with the support to continue their learning, along with dedicated mentoring to help children and families achieve the best outcomes and ensure they get the right help at the right time.”