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Caithness News Bulletins August 2004

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SOCIAL WORK RECRUITMENT SUCCESS

The Highland Council have announced the appointment of six trainee social workers as part of a national scheme intended to meet some of the difficulties in recruitment that Social Work is experiencing at this present time. 


From left to right on front row - Trainees Alan Easton (Wick), Steven Shiels (Aviemore),
Morag Macleod (Skye) and Fiona Simpson (Golspie) with back row (left to right|)  Sandy Riddell, Head of Operations and Harriet Dempster The Highland Council�s Director of Social Work.  Also appointed, but not pictured, are Marissa Mackinnon (Fort William) and Anne Nicholson (Golspie).

The Fast Track Trainee Scheme allows graduates who have the potential to train and qualify as social workers to gain experience of social work through working within a team, whilst studying for their Diploma in Social Work with their employer�s support.

The Highland Council launched its own trainee scheme in 2002 which led to the appointment of eight staff, a number of whom are due to graduate later this year.  Due to the success of the local scheme, the Council was keen to participate in the Scottish Executives Fast Track Scheme for graduates with relevant experience.

This scheme provides some funding towards the costs, including the training costs.  Students join the Robert Gordon�s University Social Work Course at an advanced stage, thereby allowing them to fast track to a qualification.  To date eleven trainees have been appointed as a result of the Scottish Executive Scheme in Highland.  It is hope that a further three appointments will be made by the autumn and advertising for next year is due to start in January.  Highland Council already has expressed an interest in attracting a further five candidates.

Harriet Dempster, Director of Social Work stated: �We are committed to this scheme and are delighted with the success we have had in attracting high quality staff.  This is a very positive development which over the past 3 years has been a real benefit to our workforce.  This scheme plays an important role in ensuring that Highland Council has the capacity and the skills to respond to the many challenges faced by Social Work.�

The Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education at Dundee, who administers the scheme, reports that The Highland Council is the authority with the most successful take-up of the scheme.