A DOZEN
aspiring social workers were in celebratory mood on Friday (7 March) at the Civic Offices in New Road, Grays.
Thurrock Council supports the national Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme and the 12 workers – from both the adults and the children’s areas – have completed a probation year so they can continue their career progression with Thurrock Council.
ASYE helps newly qualified social workers develop their skills, knowledge and capability and strengthen their professional confidence by providing regular and focused support during their first year of employment.
The Social Workers have had their practice with service users observed by senior staff and have received feedback on their performance as well as having to ensure their practice meets the needs of their role.
Each social worker has received targeted support from the council to help them achieve this and on Friday received a certificate from the College of Social Work to recognise them completing this year successfully.
Cllr Barbara Rice, portfolio holder for Health and Adult Social care. said: “I am thrilled that so many people still want to be Social Workers even though the work is extremely taxing,
“I have – through my work as a nurse – worked with many social workers and admire their dedication and commitment to what is a very difficult area of work.
“What is even better is that this shows our commitment to social work, but also to ‘growing our own’ social workers too.”
And Cllr Bukky Okuande, prtfolio holder for Children’s Social Care, added: “We are extremely pleased that we have been able to recruit to our training progamme and look forward to them joining our dedicated teams.”
