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This is the second year that the council has teamed up with the charity Frontline to give high potential graduates and career changers a unique route into the profession, through which they will benefit from intensive practical and academic training tailored to their needs.
Dozens of people applied to take part with successful candidates Abbie Mascord, Daniel Webber, Febbie Sulumba, Natalie Kidd, Darren Campbell, Yomi Bogle, Rachael Walker and Pippa Smith spending 5 weeks at a summer training camp before arriving in Wolverhampton last month.
They will be with the council for 2 years, working out of Dove and Bingley Strengthening Families Hubs where they will undertake face to face work with service users and their families while qualifying as a social worker in their first year and working towards a full Masters qualification in their second.
Although the focus of their work will be within children's social care services, the eight will also be given experience of adult social care services and adult mental health services during their time in Wolverhampton.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We are very pleased to be working with Frontline on this important programme, which offers people a unique introduction to social work and gives them the opportunity to learn through practice whilst they are also supported in their academic learning.
"This on-the-job training not only ensures the graduates feel confident in what is a very challenging role, but also helps us further improve the already high standard of children's social work practice in Wolverhampton. I would like to welcome Abbie, Daniel, Febbie, Natalie, Darren, Yomi, Rachel and Pippa to he Wolverhampton and wish them the very best as they embark on their social work careers."
Febbie Sulumba, who is based at Dove, said: "The frontline programme has been an excellent experience so far; It has been rewarding, challenging, educational and inspiring. I have found that working alongside such experienced workers daily is enhancing my practice and I can ask anyone anything. I am looking forward to the rest of the year and what it has to offer both in practice and academically."
Natalie Kidd added: "Not only do I feel like I am making a difference to the families we work with, I also feel like I am learning a lot about myself. I would recommend this programme to anyone who wants to learn all about the difference social work can make while helping families at the same time."
Racheal Walker, who is working at Bingley, said: "I'm really enjoying being on the frontline programme and finding each day challenging yet exciting. I love the learning style as it is hands on."
Yomi Bogle added: "The programme is fast paced, interesting and pushes you out of your comfort zone. I feel I have developed my ability to think on my feet whilst still making well informed decisions."
The group are being supported in their roles by Consultant Social Workers Leanne Broxton and Hardeep Sandhu and Deputy Consultant Social Workers Sandra Messenger and Samantha Tufft.
For more information about the Frontline programme, please visit Type=links;Linkid=9796;Title=Frontline;Target=_blank;.
- released: Tuesday 30 October, 2018