York celebrates the work of social workers during national Social Work Week

City of York Council is joining with partners across the city and country to celebrate the work of social workers this week, during national Social Work Week (20-24 March).

The annual week provides an opportunity to bring social workers together to learn, connect and influence change, as well as a chance for families and employers to celebrate the work of adults and children’s social workers.

Cllr Andrew Waller, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Children’s social workers really do get the chance to help change young people’s lives for the better and we know that by changing one young person’s life, you can change outcomes for future generations.

“We’re always looking for passionate, people-focussed social workers to join our committed teams and, with great supervision, manageable caseloads and a focus on training and progression, York is a fantastic place to work. I’d like to thank all our children’s social workers for their hard work and dedication to supporting children, young people and families across the city.”

Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “The variety, pace and partnership working in York creates a richly rewarding social work career. I want to congratulate those who have just completed their social worker’s qualifications. They received tremendous support during their training, and I urge anyone considering becoming a social worker to find out more about the variety of routes into the profession.

“I’d like to thank all social workers in York for their invaluable contribution to our residents’ wellbeing. Whether working in the hospital or the community, in safeguarding, mental health or learning disabilities, their interventions aim to help people live the life they want.”

There are lots of ways people can get into social work, including by a national, government funded-programme to support people with degrees into social work, or through apprenticeships.

A City of York Council employee explained how she got her social work qualification through an apprenticeship.

Louise Wannell, Social Care Worker at City of York Council, said: “I’d hit the glass ceiling in my career and needed the social worker qualification. I knew I couldn’t afford to go back to uni so this was a great opportunity to carry on working and earning at the council with 20% study time.

“I was working on the apprenticeship through the pandemic which gave me something positive to focus on. I loved the structure and placements of the Open University course: being designed to be delivered online and around students’ commitments, it works really well. It’s hard work, exciting, challenging but possible to manage a work/life balance around it.”

For more information on joining City of York Council’s Social Work teams visit www.york.gov.uk/WorkInSocialCare

Regional information about Children’s Social Workers is available at www.childrenssocialworkmatters.org/

For more information about the nationally funded scheme to support people into children’s social work visit For more information on the Step up to social work scheme and how to apply to work in York, visit https://susw.eu-careers.pocketrecruiter.com/ Applications close at noon on Friday 24 March.