GovWire

About the programme

We are currently taking applications to join the programme through the recruitment of cohort 2. We also expect to work with more organisations in the future to develop the early career framework (ECF) for social workers.

Through the early adopter programme, we aim 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

Local authorities we appoint in the second cohort will meet the following criteria:

• are Ofsted rated outstanding or good?
• appoint a minimum annual cohort of 20 newly qualified child and family socialworkers (this will be measured usingan average of the last 3 years of ASYEregistrations)
• have sufficient capacity, flexibility and willingness to fully engage with theengagement and testing activities required as an early adopter?

We are especially interested in receiving applications from local authorities that meet the criteria from regions that are not currently represented in the existing cohort of early adopters:

• Yorkshire and Humber
• East of England
• East Midlands

Local authorities can only submit one expression of interest application on behalf of their own organisation.

Whats involved

As an early adopter organisation, 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 organisations have access to funding to support costs.

This is 50,000 for the 2024 to 2025 financial year, with further funding confirmed for the delivery of a testing programme.

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

Organisations in early adopter cohort 1

We have recruited the first cohort of early adopters who are helping us to develop a new early career framework for social workers.

The following local authorities and trusts were successful in their application:

• Achieving for Children (led by Royal Borough of Kingston and London Borough of Richmond)
• Birmingham
• East Sussex
• Gloucestershire
• Plymouth
• Stockport
• Together for Children (Sunderland)
• Tower Hamlets

Organisations applying to cohort 1 had to:

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

The criteria was changed for the selection of cohort 2 and we expect it will be revised again for future opportunities.

Further information

To obtain a copy of the expressions of interest form and accompanying guidance, please email SocialWork.ECF@education.gov.uk with your contact details.

Its important to read theapplication guidance before completing the 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

Please email your completed expression of interest form bymidday on 4 April 2024 to SocialWork.ECF@education.gov.uk.

If you are interested in applying, please attend one of the following online information sessions to find out further information about the programme:

15 March: 12pm to 1pm

20 March: 2pm to 3pm

Contact SocialWork.ECF@education.gov.uk with your details to secure your place for one of the above events. For any questions or comments, please also send them to the above address.