More than 700 newly-qualified social workers have taken up posts
within Northern Ireland's Health & Social Care Trusts over
the last two-and-a half years.
This significant number reflects a huge collaborative effort
between the Department of Health, the Trusts and our universities
and colleges to maximise the direct recruitment of social work
graduates into HSC roles. It follows the ending in 2023 of the
use of recruitment agencies to employ HSC social workers.
The Department of Health has also been steadily increasing
investment in training places for social workers, with a record
344 places commissioned this academic year.
Health Minister recently met and welcomed a
number of newly-qualified social workers who have taken up roles
within the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust.
“I was delighted to be able to meet and take questions
from some newly-qualified social workers who have started with
the Trust in recent months,” the Minister said.
“They spoke so eloquently and passionately about their
roles and the wider challenges within health & social
care.
“I really value the vital contribution social workers
make to communities across Northern Ireland, day in and day out.
In recognition of this, my Department is engaged in an extensive
programme of social work workforce reform, including significant
investment in additional social work training places as well as
investment in a range of actions to ensure those who choose this
career are well-supported.
“I am hugely encouraged by the fact that over 700 social
workers have been directly recruited into Northern Ireland's five
Health Trusts since mid 2023. My aim is to have a stable and
sustainable workforce, in which social workers are able to do the
crucial work they are trained and motivated to do. My Department
will continue to work closely with the Trusts, and with other
social work employers, to make sure that workforce planning and
social workers' wellbeing is given the priority it
deserves
“I wish those who have taken up HSC social work posts in
recent months my very best, and I hope that they have a long and
rewarding career.”
Belfast Trust will have appointed 84 newly-qualified social
workers to vacant posts by the end of this year as a result of
efforts between the Department, Trust staff, the universities and
colleges, and specialist healthcare recruitment services company
Healthdaq.
While many have completed their professional training in Northern
Ireland, a number of have been attracted here from universities
in England and Scotland, including some originally from non-EEA
countries.
The Minister added: “We know how important it is for
early-career professionals to receive mentoring and support to
sustain them in their professional journey, and my Department has
been working closely with the Trusts to enhance the supports on
offer to newly qualified social workers.”
Kerrylee Weatherall, Interim Executive Director of Social Work
and Children's Community Services at Belfast Health and Social
Care Trust said: “Belfast Trust has worked intensively to widen
the scope of our recruitment and are proud of the support
developed for new entrants to the profession.
“This year, the Trust has welcomed a number of new recruits from
universities in GB and welcomes the diversity that this has
brought to the workforce. A number of initiatives have been
progressed to enhance staff well-being and ensure that staff are
well supported in the transition from student to
professional.
“We welcomed the visit from the Minster of Health and were
delighted that the newly qualified social workers had the
opportunity to share with him the pride they have in what they
do. While the supply of social workers in Northern Ireland
continues to be a challenge and vacancies remain, the Trust is
fully committed to continued workforce planning with the
Department of Health and other key partners such as the Northern
Ireland Social Care Council (Social Care Council) to ensure a
workforce with capacity to deliver high quality services across
our communities.”
Notes to editors:
1. In July 2023, Health and Social Care Trusts ceased all social
work agency usage in Northern Ireland following intensive work
between the Department of Health and the specialist healthcare
recruitment services company Healthdaq. This resulted in a
focused effort to boost direct recruitment of social workers into
the HSC system.
2. The total number of newly-qualified social workers recruited
into each Health Trust since 2023 is:
Belfast Trust – 201
Southern Trust – 116
South Eastern Trust – 115
Northern Trust – 157
Western Trust – 124
Total - 713
