Decision details

9.1

The Executive Director, People Services submitted a report regarding the Step up to Social Work Programme.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the contents of the report;

(b)

notes that the Council has entered into the Grant Funding Agreement for the Step Up To Social Work Programme as the lead authority for the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Partnership;

(c)

approves that Inter Authority Contracts between the authorities of the Partnership, which have been agreed in principle, are now executed;

(d)

approves that the Council enters into an extension of contract with Salford University for Cohort 5; and

(e)

delegates authority to administer the Department for Education (DfE) funding awarded to the Partnership to Sheffield City Council’s Assistant Director of Children and Families Fieldwork Services.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The Step Up to Social Work programme is a national initiative which is wholly funded by the Department for Education by way of a grant.  This funding includes a bursary payment for each successful student on the degree programme, funding of the University course, funding for training and supervision of each student whilst they are placed in their host authority across the region and administration of funding by the lead authority.

9.3.2

The programme has been running since 2010 and has flagship status both regionally and nationally. The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Partnership is the largest of the 22 national partnerships participating in the Step up to Social Work programme. This initiative has produced 158 high calibre graduates since its initiation and 98% of these graduates have been successful in gaining employment as social workers in authorities across this region.  This initiative has proven to be highly successful in resolving recruitment difficulties in social work in children and families and raising standards in social work education. 

9.3.3

This year the DfE have approved funding for the Yorkshire and Humberside region to host 37 students which means that external funding awarded will be £1.3m for the 14 month programme which will start in January 2018. Admissions recruitment takes place in June/July 2017.  Sheffield is the lead authority and acts as the broker for the grant funding with the responsibility of distribution of funding to each authority as directed by the Department for Education and oversees the success of the programme.

9.3.4

The 10 local authorities in the Partnership include: Barnsley MBC, Doncaster Children’s Services Trust, Calderdale County Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull City Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, Rotherham MBC, City of York Council and Sheffield City Council.  Letters of Commitment from all these authorities were received at the point of submitting the bid and Inter Authority Contracts have been prepared in accordance with the DfE template.  The Grant Offer Letter from the Department for Education was received on 15 June 2017. Salford University were procured to deliver the 14 month post graduate degree programme for Cohort 4 with an agreed extension for Cohort 5 and the relevant contract terms have been agreed (Appendix 1). The grant will be paid on a monthly basis and any underspend on funding as at March 2019 will be repaid to the DfE.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Sheffield City Council has been the lead authority for the Step up to Social Work programme since its inception at a pilot stage in 2010.  The Regional Partnership is the largest in the country and is highly praised by the DfE for its success.  The DfE looks upon Sheffield for expert guidance and we are currently providing support and advice to the new West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Regional Partnership.

9.4.2

Sheffield City Council has been invited to join a DfE advisory group of research into the retention and progression of social work graduates from the Step Up to Social Work and Frontline.

9.4.3

Sheffield City Council wishes to continue to act as the lead authority for  Step up to Social Work within the Yorkshire and Humberside region as it raises the profile of the Authority not only for the workforce across the region but nationally.

9.4.4

Sheffield City Council continues to be the lead authority for the trailblazer Teaching Partnership for the South Yorkshire region providing expert advice for new Teaching Partnerships. The South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership allows Sheffield City Council to contribute nationally to the future and raising of standards of social work education which includes Step up to Social Work and the future Social Work Apprenticeship degree programme.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, People Services

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People and Family Support