Social work leaders have raised concerns over plans to renew an £80 million contract for fast-track training programmes for children and family social workers. An £80m tender process for the development of fast-track schemes, which was first announced by the Department for Education in December, is now underway with expressions of interest open to training providers until 9 May.
The contract is currently held by Frontline and covers the training of four cohorts of social workers but is due to end in 2025, according to DfE. However, BASW, the professional association for social workers, warns that there is “little evidence for improved retention, systemic change or better outcomes for children and families” stemming from fast-track schemes. Read more.
