Celebrity ads spark thousands of social work job enquiries

This surge of interest comes just three weeks after the launch of the campaign, which aims to recruit 5,000 social workers and has involved celebrities such as Michelle Ryan and Nicholas Hoult in TV advertising.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said he is "overwhelmed" by the response to the campaign.

"It shows the tide is beginning to turn for the profession. We are fully committed to making sure social workers have the full support of the public and media as they do a tough job often in challenging circumstances," he added.

The campaign has involved two phases, the first called Help Give Them A Voice featuring celebrities, such as Ryan and Hoult as well as Goldie and Sadie Frost, in TV advertising playing the role of a child or vulnerable adult in need.

The second called Be the Difference, focuses more on real life stories and also features celebrities, such as Ken Stott and Imelda Staunton, providing voiceovers for TV advertising.