A scheme to increase the number of Social Workers in Cumbria is already paying dividends.
In a first for Cumbria, five trainee Social Workers are being sponsored to take the county's first ever social work degree course at St. Martin's College in Carlisle, while also working for the council.
Students have previously had to travel to Lancaster, Preston or Newcastle to gain their degrees.
The five trainees have now completed the first year of their studies and are about to undertake supervised on-the-job training, supporting families and helping people across the county to lead independent lives.
Each trainee will spend a minimum of two years working as a fully trained Social Worker in Cumbria after they complete their three-year degree course.
The new scheme means trainees have time to develop professional links in the county which will hopefully lead to many staying on beyond their two year minimum work period.
A further two trainees are being recruited for teams in the south of the county from other social work degree programmes.
Councillor Oliver Pearson, Cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care, said: “There is a national shortage of Social Workers and similar to other local authorities, Cumbria County Council needs new recruits to boost its ranks.
“This innovative training scheme means that the Social Workers of tomorrow have an opportunity to put down strong roots in the county which will hopefully result in them choosing Cumbria as the place to develop their long-term careers.”
More information on how to become a Social Worker in Cumbria can be found on the County Council's website www.cumbriacc.gov.uk/adultsocialcare