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Guidance: Apply to join the early adopter programme

Department For Education

March 7
16:00 2023

About the programme

We want to work with local authorities to develop a new early career framework for social workers. Through the early adopter programme, we want to:?

  • understand the support needs of early career child and family social workers
  • test and gain insight to inform the design of the early career framework
  • design a development programme for social workers

Who can apply

To apply, you should:

  • be Ofsted rated outstanding, good or requires improvement
  • currently have an early career support offer for social workers that extends beyond the provisions of the assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE)
  • have been delivering your extended early career support offer for at least 2 years
  • be confident that participating in this programme will not affect the delivery of your other work
  • not be part of the families first for children pathfinder

You can only submit one expression of interest for your local authority. If you work in a partnership, a lead local authority should submit your expression of interest. The lead local authority will be responsible for managing the funding and resource capacity.

Whats involved

As an early adopter local authority, youll need to:

  • attend regular policy design workshops and forums
  • provide access to frontline social workers
  • take an active role in the design and testing process

What youll get

Early adopter local authorities will have access to funding to support costs.

We expect this to be 50,000 for the 2023 to 2024 financial year, with further funding confirmed in the coming months for the testing and delivery of some early models. Well confirm funding for future financial years in due course.

Funding will be paid in arrears based on delivery against the agreed terms. Well make payments throughout the length of the programme.

Submit an expression of interest

Read the application guidance (PDF, 222 KB, 13 pages) before completing your expression of interest form. It includes:

  • more information about the programme
  • the key dates for the application process
  • guidance on how to complete the form
  • how well assess your application

Email your completed expression of interest form (MS Word Document, 98.1 KB) by midday on 31 March 2023 to SocialWork.ECF@education.gov.uk.

Published 7 March 2023

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