Sixth formers got their heads together with Islington Council's social services staff to find out what it’s like to be a social worker at a careers day yesterday (Thursday 17 February.) Over 30 students from City & Islington College currently doing an AVCE (A-Level equivalent) in Health and Social Care came to learn about the different kinds of jobs available in social care from working with children and families to working with people with learning disabilities or with asylum seekers. Councillor James Kempton, executive member for children said: ‘Social work is a very rewarding career and due to a national shortage it’s difficult to recruit people to these positions. By holding careers events young people get a chance to talk to social workers and find out just what the job entails. "It's great to see so much interest, especially in children and families social work. We’re hoping to start offering work experience placements within Islington social services for schools and colleges teaching health and social care studies at GCSE or AVCE level. We’re also planning a much bigger careers day in April where we will be explaining about jobs in both health and social care. I'm looking forward to some of these young people working for Islington Council in the future.’’After they finish their AVCE the students can either go on to further study to become social workers, nurses or occupational therapists or begin working directly as support workers in care homes for example or health care assistants in hospitals. The event was jointly organised by Islington Council, the City & Islington Sixth Form College and the Islington 14-19 Pathfinder project.Ends
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008