This is the third 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 Roxanne Green, Millicent Baah, Ashley Silverstone, Maya Carter and Edward Hayles spending 5 weeks at a summer training camp before arriving in Wolverhampton earlier this 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 year, also their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
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 and mental health services during their time in Wolverhampton.
Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This is the third year that we have offered the Frontline programme here in Wolverhampton, giving people a unique introduction to social work, learning through practice whilst they are also supported in their academic studies.
"The programme has so far provided the council with 12 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. We are delighted that they have all now taken positions within our Child in Need and Child Protection teams.
"I would like to welcome our latest cohort to Wolverhampton and wish Roxanne, Millicent, Ashley, Maya and Edward the very best as they embark on their social work careers.”
Darren Campbell, who joined the Frontline programme in 2018, said: "The Frontline experience has been a unique opportunity to learn and develop ‘on the job’, allowing a hands on experience whereby I have learnt from other professionals around me.
"It has at times been extremely challenging to manage both full time work and academia studies on top, but this has helped me to develop resilience and organisational skills. I look forward to working with my new team as I progress to the ASYE."
Yomi Bogle, also part of 2018's cohort, added: "The Frontline process is a fiery baptism, but personally, has been a perfect fit for my practical and pragmatic learning style.
"I consider myself privileged to have completed this course working with the City of Wolverhampton Council and am excited to enter my combined ASYE and Masters year."
For more information about the programme, please visit Frontline.
