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.