BEXLEY: Aim is to fill a further 20 posts this year

SHARON Harper is one of three new social workers in Swanley who have been taken on as part of a Kent County Council (KCC) recruitment drive.

Like other counties up and down the country, Kent has a shortage of social workers because of the demanding nature of the work and cost of training.

But thanks to a recruitment drive in the spring, KCC was able to take on 52 children and family social workers across the county.

There are still 50 vacancies and 15 of those are in west Kent which includes Dartford and Gravesham. KCC aims to employ a further 20 social workers through the scheme, this year.

KCC made social work more attractive to potential candidates by improving staff care packages and including a fast track project for quick promotion.

It also launched a pilot scheme to allow untrained local people to train as social workers while being paid by the council.

Mrs Harper, 43, who works at Littleheath Social Services office in St Mary's Road, said: "I worked in Bexley for several years as a family support worker which is equivalent to a social work assistant post.

"It was a natural progression to develop further by completing the social work training.

"Kent seemed very proactive with training and career development so it was an attractive option. The learning is ongoing and Kent supports that with good quality training."

KCC's newly-appointed cabinet member for social care and community Peter Lake has spent time meeting new members of staff.

He said: "I was amazed at how motivated the staff were despite doing a difficult and demanding job not generally valued by the public."

If anyone is interested in becoming a social worker in Kent, call 01622 221840 or check out their website at www.kentsocialcare.com

December 7, 2001 13:13