Three regions will take part in a new programme to help retrain 100 social workers who have left the profession.
The West Midlands, East of England and London will work with the Local Government Association (LGA) to promote and support the recruitment of 100 experienced social workers into critical roles.
The Return to Social Work programme will provide successful applicants with five weeks’ training to prepare them to re-register with the Health and Care Professions Council and return to work from early 2018.
Latest figures show there were 5,540 vacancies for child and family social workers in 2016, representing 12.6% of the workforce.
Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: ‘The programme will build on the success of our Come Back to Social Work campaign by offering tailored training and development placements to 100 social work returners.
‘It’s easier than people think to come back to social work. This scheme will give 100 social workers the opportunity to retrain without cost. If you left social work between two and five years ago you may qualify for a place on the Return to Social Work programme.’