A NEW academy to help train newly qualified social workers is being set up in Bradford.

Bradford Council will launch the academy for people who work with children, young people and families.

It comes as the District faces a major shortage in Children's Social workers, and heavily relies on agency staff to fill vital roles.

This is one of the main issues that has plagued the Children's Services Department in recent years, and has been regularly referred to in various critical Ofsted reports.

The ASYE Academy, which takes on its first cohort today, will provide additional support, learning and development opportunities for staff during their first three months of their employment as part of their year-long ASYE programme.

The Council has plans for the longer term development of the Academy to provide access to learning and development opportunities for the whole of the children’s social care workforce.

ASYE stands for assessed and supported year in employment and is intended to support newly qualified social workers as they adjust from college to the workplace and put into practice information they have learnt throughout their degree.

These workers will join the ASYE Academy after starting their employment with the Council’s children’s social care team. It will help NQSWs consolidate their knowledge and skills so that they can offer children and families a high quality service.

The academy will run for the first three months of a NQSW’s employment, and will also be linked to a social work team from the first day and will have the support of a team manager and an ASYE assessor.

They will also be able to shadow more experienced social workers. The ASYE will closely support and monitor new staff and the casework that receive.

Councillor Sue Duffy, portfolio holder for children and families, said: “This is a really exciting initiative which we want to see grow. It’s a great way in which we can develop new staff as they start their employment journey and begin working alongside the many experienced social workers who work in our district and who are passionate about wanting the best for our children.

"It’s an exciting time for new social workers to join us as we begin to develop our Children’s Company and we have a lot to offer them in terms of their career development.

“The new ASYE Academy will provide the right environment for our newly qualified social workers so that they are well prepared and confident and flourish in their job.

"It will provide a supportive place where staff can consolidate the knowledge and skills they gained during their social work training. It demonstrates our commitment to supporting and developing our social work staff and forms a key part of our Children’s Services improvement journey.”