Non-practicing social workers urged to return
By Gemma Raw
With absences mounting in children's social work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department for Education (DfE) is calling on non-employed practitioners who are temporarily registered with Social Work England to return to work.
"There are many qualified but non-practicing social workers that remain on the temporary register set up in March 2020" wrote Children's Minister Will Quince on @willquince in December. "If you’re able to support on a temporary basis, we encourage you to contact your local authority children’s social care team, or sign up with a local agency."
The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on social work staff, particularly those working with children and families. The recent rapid spread of the Omicron variant has exacerbated the situation, forcing many social workers, support staff and other public service workers to isolate and putting a huge strain on workforces across the country.
Fast-track return
Under emergency powers granted by the government in response to the pandemic, Social Work England can invite previously registered social workers in England to return to frontline practice without them having to train or re-register. This applies to any social worker who left the main register after March 2018, including those who failed to renew their registration by November 2020 and those who voluntarily left the register up to 22 December 2020.
These 'temporarily registered' practitioners can apply for social work roles with local authorities, health trusts and other employers in England. Social workers with temporary registration are listed on the Social Work England public register. The temporary registration works on an 'opt out' basis, so there's no need to apply to be on the register.
If you're a previously registered social worker who's not on the list but think you should be, you should send an email to enquiries@socialworkengland.org.uk with your name, registration number (if known) and the date you left the register.
No free refresher training
The Local Government Association's Return to Social Work scheme, which offered free refresher training to social workers who had been out of practice for over two years, came to an end in 2021 and has not as yet been replaced.
The Social Workers Union (SWU) has said that the temporary registration scheme is a 'quick fix' and has called for social workers to be 'inducted and integrated appropriately with adequate access to supervision and support'.
However, Steve Crocker, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), has welcomed the DfE's call for social workers to return temporarily to frontline practice. "Nationally we need to recruit and retain more social workers so any additional workforce shortages as a result of COVID-19 will be a challenge for us," he told Community Care. "This is why any efforts to encourage social workers to support the profession and children and families once again are welcome."
Read more about temporary registration with Social Work England for non-practicing social workers here or browse our latest social work jobs.
