CYP Now - Building a workforce for the future

I was recruited as one of 16 international social workers arriving from Southern Africa in 2003. What is striking are the parallels of 20 years ago and now. Key issues for international social workers remain such as arriving in teams that are struggling with recruitment and retention issues and high caseloads whilst being expected to hit the ground running within weeks of arriving.

The initiative is aimed at supporting young people who are unlikely to report crimes against them. Picture: C Fizkes/Adobe Stock

The number of social workers leaving the profession in the UK has been rising since 2017, and social workers leaving child and family positions in England exceeded new starters in 2022. According to Department for Education statistics, 5,400 social workers left the profession resulting in a record 7,900 vacancies being reported in 2022, a 21 per cent rise from 2021.This prompted many local authorities to extend their recruitment to international social workers directly or through agencies. These challenges make me reflect on my own experience 20 years ago arriving as an international social worker. Once again this was prompted by a shortage in social workers.

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