For National Apprenticeships Week, the Minister for Children and
Social Care met with former apprentices to hear how an innovative
scheme helped them qualify as social workers in Rhondda.
Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council's Social Care Academy offers
training and apprenticeships for staff members who want to gain
qualifications in social work.
96% of staff supported by the Academy have stayed within the
council, with many becoming experienced social workers in
children and adult services.
27-year-old Naomi Frere was a looked after child in RCT, and
thanks to their apprenticeship scheme, she is now a qualified
social worker helping to safeguard children and keep families
together.
Naomi started off as a finance assistant in the council in 2015
but was always passionate about working in children's services.
As a corporate parent, RCT supported her through their Care2Work
scheme where she accessed a range of training and employment
opportunities and resources.
In 2017, she secured an apprenticeship within RCT's Miskin
services, which promotes placement stability for children facing
difficulties in their lives.
She then graduated from her social work degree in 2022 and has
been a social worker for nearly 3 years.
Naomi said:
“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with and help
children. Being care experienced, I wanted to understand the
decisions that were being made for me and other looked after
children.
“The apprenticeship scheme helped me in many ways. I couldn't
afford to go back into education and RCT supported me to pursue
my dream role.
“The council invested their time in me and helped me grow over
the last 10 years.
“I wanted to give back to the community that raised me, and now I
can help children who had similar experiences to me.
“I would encourage anyone to do an apprenticeship, the support
and training I received was phenomenal.”
In 2022, the council received the Princess Royal Training Award
for its commitment to developing staff and success in employing
nearly 400 apprentices in RCT.
Minister for Children and Social Care, said:
“Social care can be a career for life.
“By providing career progression and comprehensive training
opportunities through apprenticeships, we can significantly
strengthen our social care workforce. It was inspiring to witness
this in action in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where individuals are
thriving and applying their skills to support local communities.
“We will continue to work with local authorities to see how we
can scale innovative practices like this across Wales.”
Councillor Gareth Caple, Cabinet Member for Health and
Social Care in Rhondda Cynon Taf said:
“I understand how important it is to support children and young
people in Rhondda Cynon Taf to thrive and achieve their career
goals.
“Supporting apprentices and schemes like Care2Work are
instrumental in the council's approach to achieving a stable,
skilled and well supported workforce. I am proud to see this
fantastic initiative helping individuals and strengthening our
community by fostering skilled and dedicated social workers.”
Notes to editors
- Corporate parenting
charter | GOV.WALES - The collective responsibility of
partners when a child enters care. This includes local
authorities, elected members, employees and partner agencies.
Every member and employee of the council has a statutory
responsibility to act for that child.
