The City of Wolverhampton Council's Principal Social Worker Louise Haughton and Heads of Service from Adults and Children's Services will be hosting sessions on Tuesday 19 March to celebrate the contribution Wolverhampton's social work services make to the city.
They will both highlight the crucial role that social workers play and showcase good practice within both Adult and Children's Social Care in Wolverhampton.
The theme of this year's World Social Work Day, organised by the international Federation of Social Workers, is Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships, and the events will enable staff across Adults and Children Services to come together to share their experiences.
Social workers will also be given a petal on which to write what a relationship means to them; these petals will then be brought together to build a 'Blossoming Relationships Flower'.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "This is great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work our social workers do day in, day out, for our city's vulnerable adults, children and young people and to share good practice across our services."
Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, Cabinet Member for Adults, added: "Our social workers do an incredible job, often in very difficult circumstances, and it is important that we recognise the vital role they play."
Meanwhile, there is still time for people who are considering a career in children's social work to apply for the new West Midlands Step Up to Social Work programme. The fast-track training programme leads to a Masters in Social Work and a potential career as a children's social worker within 14 months.
The course will be running from January 2020 to March 2021 and participants will receive a tax free bursary of over £19,000 towards living costs and any child care arrangements. In addition, all course fees are paid. At the end of the course, successful candidates will be expected to practice with one of the organisations which are partnering with the programme - such as the City of Wolverhampton Council - for at least 2 years.
The application window is open until Monday (18 March, 2019). Potential applicants need a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree or a 2:2 honours degree plus a higher degree at level 7 or above, and at least six months' experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families. Candidates also require English and Maths GCSE qualifications at grade C or above, or equivalent. For more information about the West Midlands Step Up to Social Work programme, and to apply, please visit GOV UK - Apply for Step Up to Social Work or email jill.stephenson@stoke.gov.uk.