We aim to provide our employees with an opportunity to focus on their own personal health, wellbeing and resilience so that they can feel and perform at their best and are supported.

All Council employees have access to ‘My Wellbeing’ which contains self-help resources including videos, links to external guidance and advice, suggested apps and tailored e-learning. 

We also have internal Mental Health First Aiders who are colleagues trained to be there for others and to signpost employees to help and support should they experience challenges, wellbeing concerns or mental health issues. 

We also have an Employee Assistance Programme which provides a complete support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7, covering a wide range of issues. This includes life support, legal information, bereavement support, medical information and online CBT. 

We hold an annual Wellbeing Week with a number of free online and in person wellbeing activities including health MOTs, financial advice and yoga classes. Many of these events are also on offer throughout the year.

We have a learning platform which hosts regular mandatory learning opportunities to ensure we are up to speed on topics that will keep us safe at work and up to date on current guidance and legislation. As well as the mandatory learning, there are many online and face to face training and development opportunities on topics including communicating with impact, aspiring managers, coaching, business skills, customer services, digital skills and equality, diversity and inclusion. 

To further develop your skills and qualifications we offer employment-based apprenticeships in a range of both subjects and levels of qualification to support your career progression with us. Through an apprenticeship an employee is able to gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and the wider skills they need for their immediate job and future career via a range of learning in the workplace, off the job training and the opportunity to practice new skills in a real work environment.

If you're thinking about vocational training for your employees, email the HR and OD service at: apprenticeshipsteam@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Children’s Services hold several briefings throughout the year, celebration events and hold the annual children’s services staff conference. All these enable us all to keep up to date with our practice, recognise the difference we all make to the lives of children and young people and share our knowledge, skills and practice and appreciate each other.

Children’s Services values and places importance on diversity and inclusion, through our work. We come together quarterly to work together to create an environment where everyone is engaged, supported and able to thrive not only at work but through our direct work and engagement with children, young people and their families. Creating an environment where people are listened to, valued for their experiences, backgrounds, and ideas and where we treat each other with respect and celebrate our differences and the value they bring. All staff are welcome to join this forum.

Children’s social work services work with higher education establishments to provide both 70 and 100-day practice-based placements for students who are undertaking their social work qualification. We have a range of opportunities across different social work teams and also the positive outcomes project which students can apply for. Student Placements at Worcestershire are coordinated with Universities and Social Work Programme Providers. When undertaking a placement, you will be supported by a Workplace Supervisor and/or a Practice Educator. For more information please take a look at: Positive Outcomes Project (PoP).

In Children’s Services we offer an opportunity for non-social work staff who want to pursue a career in children’s social work with Worcestershire children’s services the opportunity to apply for one of our social work apprenticeships. This is currently a 3-year degree course which supports you in achieving this whilst working in your current role. Worcestershire County Council and children’ services are currently supporting the Social Work Apprenticeship Scheme provided by Warwick University and University of Worcester. 

There is a formal application and interview process, and more information is available through our faculty lead.

This is the assisted and supported year of employment for social workers who have just passed their formal qualification and have joined Worcestershire children’s services as a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England. This is a twelve-month programme of support run by Skills for Care and is mapped against the Knowledge and Skills statement for Social Workers.

As a newly Qualified Social Worker you will work in a Social Work Team with the additional support of an Advanced Social Work Practitioner and the Social Work Academy Team.

You can find helpful information and resources from Skills for Care ASYE (skillsforcare.org.uk)

Our offer includes 1 to 1 support from qualified social work staff, monthly supervision, peer supervision, reflective practice sessions and action learning sets, briefings and training across a whole spectrum of direct work with children and young people.

We have joined up with to “Approach to Social Work” which was formerly known as Frontline to offer individuals who already have a degree and want to go on and qualify as a children’s social worker the opportunity to do this with Worcestershire children’s services. Children, young people and their families need support when they are going through difficult times. On Approach Social Work you will work directly with the most disadvantaged in society and empower them to bring about positive change in their lives.

During your training, you’ll develop a range of skills, including relationship-building, conflict resolution and leadership. You will receive high-quality supervision and training from experienced social workers, academics and professional coaches. To find out more please look at Approach Social Work – Frontline or contact our faculty lead.

The Step Up to Social Work program is a UK initiative designed to attract and train new social workers. It offers a fast-track route for graduates and professionals looking to enter the social work field. Key features include:

1. intensive training: the program combines academic study with practical placements, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience while earning a postgraduate qualification in social work
2. support: trainees receive mentoring and support from experienced social workers throughout the program.
3. focus areas: the program often emphasizes child protection and social work with families, preparing trainees for roles in high-demand areas of social work
4. funding: participants may receive financial support, including a salary during their training, to help alleviate the financial burden while they study

Candidates for the Step Up to Social Work program typically need the following qualifications and requirements:

1. degree: a minimum of a 2:1 degree in any subject or a relevant postgraduate qualification
2. experience: while specific social work experience isn't mandatory, candidates often benefit from prior work or volunteer experience in care, community work, or related fields
3. personal attributes: strong interpersonal skills, resilience, empathy, and a commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families
4. references: candidates usually need to provide references that demonstrate their suitability for the role.
5. background checks: successful applicants must pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure they are suitable to work with vulnerable populations
6. commitment: a readiness to engage in a full-time, intensive training program that combines academic study and practical placements

Each local authority or university may have slightly different criteria, so it’s best for candidates to check the specific requirements for the program they are interested in.

The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership aim to strengthen the quality of education and training for social work students and practitioners across the West Midlands.  

Worcestershire is part of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership and employees can access the varied range of resources and bespoke learning events offered by the partnership. Find out more here: The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership.

The Children’s Workforce Academy supports trainee Practice Educators to achieve Practice Education awards in partnership with higher education establishments and in line with the Practice Educator Professional Standards.

Our court progression officers are on hand to support any staff who are required to write court statements, reports and / or attend or give evidence in court matters concerning the children and young people we work with. They provide us with regular updates, briefing and support to guide practitioners. 

Research in Practice is an online learning platform which supports social care professionals in their day-to-day work. It aims to support organisations and individuals to access, understand and apply evidence into their work with children and families, young people and adults.

Worcestershire employees have access to Research in Practice to support their practice including a programme of national conferences, workshops and online events, resources such as case law and legal summaries and bitesize learning tools to meet a range of learning styles.

One of our Social Workers says: “Research In Practice is an invaluable tool for developing knowledge that can be used in practice. There are a variety of sources from webinars, research papers and online training. I love how the online training incorporates time to go through materials before the session and how the materials support your learning” - Newly Qualified Social Worker. Find out more here: Research in Practice.