A fast track training scheme for social workers in the Highlands is paying dividends with the second group of nine trainees emerging as qualified social workers. Just before Christmas all were successful in achieving the Diploma in Social Work qualification via the Open University and are now being employed as social workers.
Five trainee social workers were sponsored by the Council’s "Grow Our Own" scheme. They are: - Tish Hoole, Children & Families, Fort William; Evelyn Larvin, Community Care, Fort William; Alison MacAdie, Community Care, Thurso; Margaret Sinclair, Children & Families, Wick; and Susan MacGregor, Children & Families, Culloden.
Four were sponsored by the Scottish Executive’s fast track scheme. They are: -
Trish Bailey, Children & Families, Wick; Fiona Lorrain-Smith,Youth Action, Alness; Gerry Chapman, Youth Action, Inverness; Dawn Harper, Children & Families, Nairn.
Many were present at the Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee in Inverness to receive congratulations from Chairman Councillor Margaret Davidson.
Councillor Davidson said: "This is a substantial personal achievement by the individuals concerned, who undertook their qualifications whist working and retaining significant domestic responsibilities. The Service is very proud of their efforts which have only been made possible through the tremendous support and encouragement provided by their managers and colleagues. It is further testament to the success of the two trainee schemes that we invest in – our own in-house scheme and the Scottish Executive’s "Fast Track" scheme."
Harriet Dempster, Director of Social Work, told the Committee that eight further Council trainees have taken up post and will undergo training – four in children and families; three in youth action; and one in community care.
She said: "When we advertise for these positions, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response which is tangible evidence that people want to be social workers in Highland and see it as a positive career choice."
The Council’s "Grow Our Own" training scheme won a COSLA Excellence Award last year.
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