Innovative staff scheme showing signs of success
An innovative scheme to help recruit more social workers in Inverclyde is off to a successful start.
Social work recruitment is a local and national challenge and so Inverclyde HSCP staff came up with the idea of Grow Your Own.
From September this year, HSCP staff who are keen to gain social work qualifications will be given financial support from the HSCP.
And at the end of their studies, candidates will be eligible to apply for social work vacancies within the HSCP and agree to remain in their posts for a minimum of three years.
In its first year, four members of staff have signed up and more than 50 other employees have expressed an interested in the scheme.
Councillor Robert Moran, chair of Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board - the organisation that oversees local health and social care functions delegated to it by the council/health board and delivered by the HSCP, said: “This is a clever scheme and one which is already showing results.
“It’s encouraging to see so many HSCP staff in Inverclyde who are keen to undertake further studies to gain a professional qualification.
“This project represents a key offer in showcasing Inverclyde HSCP as an employer of choice for social workers.
“Developing our current workforce is a key priority for the HSCP and I am sure the Grow Your Own scheme will continue to be a success.”
In the first year, up to six candidates will be eligible to undertake the social work qualification while also learning within Inverclyde HSCP.
The first group of candidates will start their studies in September 2024, with their experiences informing the further development of the scheme in year two and beyond.