Male social work recruitment falls for third year

The annual report into social work education and training showed that men make up just 13 per cent of the workforce, down three per cent on last year's figures.

According to the study, although the social work degree is preparing students for the start of their career in social work, the support and ongoing training once they enter the workplace needs to be strengthened.

Covering the academic year 2007-2008 the report found that in some areas degree courses are not running because there is not enough demand, but in other areas employers are struggling to recruit enough graduates. The GSCC has called for a model of workforce supply and demand to ensure the right numbers of social workers are being trained in the right regions.

Rosie Varley, chair of the GSCC, said: "Tragedies such as the death of Baby P and other recent cases remind us how immensely challenging the role of a social worker is. We need to attract the best people into the profession, with a diverse workforce that reflects the society we live in.

"We are, therefore, concerned that so few men are entering the profession and believe this needs to be addressed, as it has been for other professions like teachers, through targeted marketing campaigns, funding and support systems."

Included in the other recommendations outlined in the report are the development of national standards for post-qualifying training in safeguarding, and further research into poor progression rates amongst some black and minority ethnic students.