Championing the dedication of Norfolk's social workers

The hard work and dedication of hundreds of Norfolk social workers and frontline practitioners is being championed this week as part of World Social Work Day and social work week.

With twin themes of 'Leaving No-one Behind' and 'Social Work and Me', the national campaign is a great opportunity to highlight the difference social work support makes to the lives of the children, vulnerable people, and families who need it.

Cllr Bill Borrett, cabinet member for Adult Social Care at Norfolk County Council, said: "I would like to thank all our social workers and practitioners for their hard work supporting vulnerable adults and disabled people across Norfolk and making such a positive difference. "They play such an important and pivotal role in the long-term commitment for quality care for older people."

Cllr John Fisher, cabinet member for Children's Social Care, said: "I am immensely proud of all Norfolk's social workers and practitioners and the dedication and compassion they show every day to protecting children and supporting them to flourish."

Over the last year there have been a number of new developments across adult's and children's social care:

• The Norfolk Social Care Academy has offered additional help to those wanting to join the adult social care sector, with free training, one-to-one mentor support, and a guaranteed job interview.
• Approval was given for Adult Social Services to begin a new phase of the council's Promoting Independence Programme, giving a radical new focus on prevention and early intervention.
• Children's Services social workers scooped gold and silver awards in the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards in the practice educator of the year category and the social justice advocate category.
• The New Roads service was launched to support some of Norfolk's most vulnerable young people providing them with education, life coaching and speech and language therapy, as well as access to short term residential beds and foster care placements to help meet their needs.
• The new Targeted Youth Support Service was launched to support young people at risk of harm outside of the family home through criminal or sexual exploitation

Here are two stories of how social work support changes lives:

• Social work support was key for Beattie's journey as a young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) wanting to leave home and become an independent adult. Watch how support helped Beattie on YouTube. (opens new window)
• Norwich dad Dave has been able to stabilise his life and provide a nurturing home for his five-year old son, following help from social workers and Children's Services specialist support workers through the council's free Dads Matter programme. Read more about Dave's story.

Norfolk County Council is recruiting social workers now. Anyone who is already qualified and is interested in a job with Children's Social Care should visit our Children's Social Care vacancies page.

The council also offers a variety of apprenticeships and training opportunities for adult social care careers.

Book a place on our online recruitment event at 6pm on Thursday 17 March. (opens new window)

You'll be able to hear from experienced practitioners about what the council can offer, vacancies and what it's like to be a social worker at Norfolk County Council.