Decision details
Apprenticeship programme for Social Work (Degree) procurement
Decision Maker: Assistant director, people
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The council has a skills gap and challenge in
recruiting qualified social workers, this is a challenge mirrored
nationally. The council therefore has a plan to ‘Grow Our
Own’ social workers in both Adults’ and
Children’s directorates to address this issue.
The increase in the number of social workers will lead to improved
service provision for service users.
As a large employer the council is required to make mandatory
contribution to the government apprenticeship levy pot. However,
the council is also able to benefit from this levy by accessing
Apprenticeship courses funded by the levy.
The Apprenticeship provider draws down the funding directly from
the government Apprenticeship levy. The maximum that can be claimed
for each Apprentice is £23,000 for the three year Social Work
(degree) Apprenticeship programme. The council is seeking to train
21 Apprentices starting in 2021. Therefore, the contract value will
be approximately £483,000, which requires an open tender
process to procure a provider.
The provider must be registered on the Register of Approved
Training Providers to deliver an approved apprenticeship leading to
a degree-level qualification in social work.
Contact: Tracey Sampson, Director of HR and OD Email: Tracey.Sampson@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 383715.
Publication date: 24/09/2020
Date of decision: 31/07/2020
Accompanying Documents: