This is the sixth year that the council has teamed up with the charity Frontline to give people 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 the successful candidates Aleisha Kaur, Tiarnna Lawrence-Thompson, Chloe Fullerton and Kimberley Deeves joining a summer institute before arriving in Wolverhampton in September.
Over the next 2 years they will work with children, young people and their families while qualifying as a social worker in their first year and working towards a full Masters qualification in their second, also their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), under the guidance of Consultant Social Worker Charmayne Dean.
Although the focus of their work will be within children’s social care services, the group will also be given experience of adult social care, disability services and fostering.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This is the sixth year in which we have offered the Frontline programme in Wolverhampton, and we are delighted to be giving more people a unique introduction to social work and the chance to learn through practice whilst they are also supported in their academic studies.
"The programme has provided the council with numerous qualified social workers, all of whom have completed an intense programme of both academic and practical studies working with some of our most vulnerable families in Wolverhampton and who have gone on to take permanent positions within the council. This is really important, particularly given the recruitment pressures there are within social work nationally.
"I would like to welcome our latest cohort to Wolverhampton and wish them the very best as they embark on their social work careers with the council.”
Aleisha said: "Frontline is an amazing programme which allows us to gain practical experience along with a master’s degree. I’m excited to be working with families and developing my skills to become a successful social worker. I also feel very thankful for the current support I am receiving at Wolverhampton and I look forward to what the upcoming 2 years will bring.”
Tiarnna explained: “I wanted to be part of a programme that strives to make positive changes to the lives of children and families. I am very grateful that Frontline has given me this opportunity to develop into the best social worker I can be whilst achieving a master’s degree. I am thankful especially to be placed in Wolverhampton and it has been refreshing to see how they value diversity and equal opportunities. I am very excited for this journey.”
Chloe said: “I knew that I have always wanted to work with children and families, where I can help to make a difference to their lives. The Frontline programme is a great way to help me to achieve that. The support we have had in Wolverhampton so far has been fantastic, I look forward to seeing what the next 2 years bring."
And Kimberley added: “I am thrilled to be a Frontline 2022 cohort member in Wolverhampton; the council has been very supportive and welcoming. The Frontline programme itself offers an array of educational, professional and practical learning opportunities and I’m really excited about my future in social work, while working towards attaining an MSc qualification.”
For more information visit Frontline programme.
