A report by the Director of Children’s Services advised Members that the Learn Together Partnership consisted of the Merseyside local authorities plus Warrington and Halton and that on a shared basis, it developed training and learning for the children’s workforce.  Step Up into Social Work was a national pilot programme offering an employment-based route to qualifying as a social worker. The Director outlined the programme and sought agreement for Wirral Council, as the lead local authority, to host the management of the programme on behalf of the Learn Together Partnership, and also set out the specific arrangements in respect of Wirral.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  Wirral Council be declared the lead authority for the Step Up into SocialWork programme on behalf of the Learn Together Partnership and the contract with the Children’s Workforce Development Council be approved; and

(2)  It was agreed that the Council will enter into a procurement process to deliver the MA in social work course.