New recruits join award-winning social work Academy in Hertfordshire...

(18th April 2012)

Fifteen new recruits joined Hertfordshire’s innovative Academy for newly qualified social workers this week.

The recruits were chosen from nearly 200 applicants to take a place on the award winning programme that allows new social workers time to develop essential skills over their first year in the role before taking on a full caseload.

The Academy was launched by Lord Laming in 2009 and to date 130 social workers have started their social work careers with Hertfordshire Council Council through the Academy, which has gained a national reputation for excellence.

Guest speakers at the launch included Louise Grant from Bedford University, who shared her research into Resilience in Social Work, and Angela King from the recently formed College of Social Work.

Liam Way joined The Academy in 2010 for his first role before starting frontline social work. He said at the event: “During my training my caseload was increased gradually allowing me time to reflect and think about what I was learning. Essential feedback from managers helped me to develop and progress in a way that provided me with the skills and knowledge to safeguard children and be an effective social worker. I am now working with a full caseload and have learned so much from my Academy training.”

John Wood, who takes up the reigns of Hertfordshire County Council chief executive on June 1, welcomed the new recruits saying: “I am incredibly proud of The Academy and I’m also delighted to welcome you and to wish you well for your training.

“Even through difficult economic times, there has always been an absolute commitment from this authority to investing in The Academy to allow you to do your critical job of protecting and nurturing vulnerable families and children in Hertfordshire. I am sure the communities of Hertfordshire are going to benefit from the work you go on to do.”

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