Great opportunities for a career in care as council celebrates Social Work Week

Shropshire Council today celebrates the launch of Social Work Week (Monday 18 March to Friday 22 March 2024) by highlighting the great opportunities and careers in social care.

The national campaign, now in its fourth year, is run by Social Work England, and is aimed at all those with an interest in social work in England. The campaign brings people together to learn, connect and influence change.

Throughout the week the council will be showcasing stories from leading and frontline staff on what social work means to them, and how it makes a real, positive difference to the lives of those they support.

Social Work Week 2024

Social Work England is the professional regulator which is committed to raising the standards of social care through collaboration with everyone who works in the sector. The organisation is taking a new approach to supporting social workers, to help millions of people across the country to improve their chances in life.

Over the years the council’s social care teams have been nationally recognised for their ambition, innovation and good practice. The teams continue to work hard in developing ways of working that have made real positive differences to thousands of residents across the county.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said:-

“I’m delighted to support Social Work Week, and hope it will raise awareness of the amazing, life-changing work that our brilliant social work teams do every single day.

“Social Work Week certainly aligns with our own values: working together, working with kindness and respect,working to value and promote diversity, working in an open and honest way, and working with big dreams – for everyone, the people we care for, and the staff who care for them.

“We’re committed to ensuring a proper work/life balance for all staff. We’ve brought in administrative support, so social workers can focus on their jobs. We’ve made caseloads manageable, so that our people have the time they need to really give that continuity of care that residents expect from us.

“It all amounts to one thing. Giving social workers and social care teams all the support they need to do what they do best: helping Shropshire’s most vulnerable people live their best lives.”

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, added:-

“Like most councils we face very pressing financial challenges, and we are having to make many difficult decisions. Currently, we spend nearly 80% of our total annual budget on social care and related activities, and some £40 million on agency social workers.

“That has to change: for the good of the council, and so that the people who need us have proper continuity of care.

“However, we are absolutely committed to investing in our social care teams and social workers. This is a growth area for us, and will continue to be so.

“So this Social Work Week, I strongly urge anyone who works in social care at any level to join Shropshire Council. As well as competitive pay, we can offer a whole host of benefits, including pension, holiday and sick pay, and more – you just don’t get these sort of benefits at third party agencies. Plus, there are real opportunities for career progression.”

To find out more about social work jobs at Shropshire Council, visit Current Vacancies – Shropshire Council.

We have vacancies available for social workers, occupational therapists, and also a trainee social worker position. Recruiting into these posts will help the council manage the increasing demand the council is seeing in social care.

Throughout the week the national campaign will highlight and showcase the work of social care through a series of events, webinars and other initiatives. This includes recognising World Social Work Day tomorrow (Tuesday 19 March 2024).

Social Work England have organised over 20 online events. Another 40 events have been planned independently. To find out more, or to book an event, visit Social Work Week – Social Work England