Improving young lives at the centre of Gloucestershire’s new Children’s Social Work Academy

The Gloucestershire Social Work Academy will provide training and continuous professional development opportunities for all children’s services’ staff at the council from social workers starting their career to advanced practitioners and managers. The aim is to establish and embed a unique ‘Gloucestershire Approach’ to social work practice, leadership and management which will make sure that good social work practice is evidenced consistently across the service and improves outcomes for children.

The academy is supported by Research in Practice, a professional body which encourages the use of evidence and research to inform the way services support and  improve the lives of children, young people and their families in their local area.

Cllr Richard Boyles, cabinet member for children and young people at Gloucestershire County Council said: “Improving social work practice is one of our top priorities and our Children’s Social Work Academy is fundamental in our journey to do just that.

“The best social work practice comes about when social workers are challenged, supported, nurtured and provided with the opportunity to access training and space for reflection – this ethos is the driver for our academy. Social work is a challenging and rewarding career and we want staff to feel valued and supported so they can deliver excellent social work practice”.

The academy, based on Commercial Road, Gloucester, officially launched earlier today with social work professionals from across the county attending the launch event. The event included talks from a number of key individuals working in the sector including Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director for Social Care.

For more information about the academy, go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/social-work-academy