The Director of Children’s Services presented a report detailing the outcome of the procurement process for the delivery of social work training under the national pilot programme “Step Up into Social Work” which offered an employment based route to qualifying as a social worker.

Resolved: That

(1)  the tender by the University of Chester in the sum of £367,840 be accepted; and

(2)  the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to enter into a contract with the University of Chester to deliver MA in social work training on behalf of the Learn Together Partnership.