London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is committed to developing the next generation of social workers.
They proudly recruit and support aspiring social workers into the profession through a range of pathways, ensuring new staff come from a diverse array of backgrounds, experiences, and life circumstances.
Whether through apprenticeships, traditional university programmes, or fast-track initiatives, each pathway offers unique opportunities for those passionate about making a difference. Russ Belenie, Barking & Dagenham's Principal Children's Social Worker, outlines these routes.
"In LBBD, we know that developing styles of practice require differing routes into the profession. We have a strong “grow our own” approach for both staff coming into the profession, and for career progression. This has led us to develop the Think Ahead, Apprentice, Step-Up, HEI and Approach Social Work routes into social work. We want candidates to choose the best option for them in joining us. Some of these routes in are more systemic in nature while others emphasise on-the-job training.
Our joint borough ASYE training program in LBBD, focuses on smaller allocations and pods where you will meet and work with other ASYE’s. These are usually managed by Consultant Social Workers with practice development and practice education backgrounds. The year begins with a solid induction into the borough and ends with a graduation event with photos and a cake!
When you finish your ASYE you are automatically enrolled on the Early Professional Development pathway (EPD) which is jointly run with other boroughs. This means you will continue to be trained alongside those you met during your ASYE.
We have a focus on strengthening meaningful, direct work with children and young people, and have an accredited Creative Social Work course you can attend with Goldsmiths University. We promote shadowing opportunities and internal movement between services to build retention in the borough. This helps you become a more rounded practitioner with experience of other areas of social work.
For managers we have leadership development programs including BALI and ILM, with additional monthly practice development forums. Permanent managers also have the option of being coached by a Service Manager as part of their progression.
Each staff role has a dedicated progression matrix to help direct them once in post and regular career conversations happen with the Principal Social Worker which adds a more bespoke approach to career development."
Russ Bellenie, Barking & Dagenham
Below, we explore the various routes offered and highlight the stories of three social workers in Barking and Dagenham, each following a different journey into the field.
Social work undergraduate degree
The most conventional pathway into social work is through attaining a degree through a Higher Education Institution. Barking and Dagenham partners with renowned universities including Goldsmiths, UEL, Royal Holloway, and London Metropolitan to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate social work degrees. These programmes combine rigorous academic study with placements that provide invaluable real-world experience.
Tina, who pursued her undergraduate degree at Goldsmiths, reflects on her journey through university into social work practice:
"My degree allowed me to immerse myself in three years of study, which included a two-day shadowing experience, 50 days of work experience, and first- and second-year placements. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into various teams within social work and significantly boosted my confidence. I had the opportunity to observe different social workers in action, learning diverse approaches and techniques within the field."
Since joining Barking and Dagenham, Tina has been able to pursue her passion for supporting looked-after children and has continued to learn, thanks to her supportive colleagues.
"Since joining LBBD, I have completed my ASYE journey within the Corporate Parenting and Permanency service, which aligns with my passion for working with looked-after children. After my ASYE, I was fortunate to continue working within the same service. There are always opportunities for shadowing within our service, and we can also shadow other professionals to gain broader experience."
Apprenticeships
For those who prefer a hands-on approach, social work degree apprenticeships offer structured academic study alongside more practical workplace experience, making them ideal for individuals who want to work while training. Apprenticeships also come with the benefit of a salary during your training.
Barking and Dagenham put a huge emphasis on 'grow your own' apprenticeships, offering existing children's services staff the opportunity to upskill and become a qualified social worker. The borough offers both "stay-in-role" and "come-out-of-role" apprenticeship options to suit varying circumstances.
Emma opted for the apprenticeship route and found it to be the best choice for balancing family responsibilities and career goals. She explained:
"Qualifying through an apprenticeship allowed me to continue working as I trained, and this was important to me as I have a family—this was the best route for me. Being a mature student, the route allowed me to be with other students of a similar age, which made engaging much easier and helped me to feel comfortable attending the lectures. I was supported by the lecturers with my coursework and was treated with respect. They understood that it had been a long time since I last studied and took the time to help where needed."
Emma valued the workplace experience and shadowing opportunities the apprenticeship provided. After qualifying and completing her ASYE in Barking and Dagenham, she successfully transitioned into a permanent role in the borough:
"I have now completed my ASYE in LBBD and have been successful to receive a full-time position as a qualified social worker in the family support and safeguarding service I studied with."
Fast-Track social work degree programmes
Fast-track programmes, such as Step Up and Approach Social Work, offer an intensive route into the profession, combining accelerated learning with hands-on practice. These programmes are designed for individuals transitioning into social work from other careers or disciplines. They also provide financial support during training, helping participants focus on their studies. Another social worker chose a fast-track programme for its shorter duration and financial benefits. They appreciated the flexibility that their fast-track degree offered:
"I really enjoyed this route as it was shorter than taking a three-year degree, and it paid me to study and allowed me to run a home. It paved the way for a career in social work in Adults and Children’s services, although it focused on Children’s social care. The qualification enables me to specialise in different areas of work I want to explore in the future."
Barking and Dagenham has provided this social worker with a supportive environment and an open learning culture:
"The managers here have all been supportive, and there is an open learning culture that I like very much. There is lots of training and support as well as the EAP programme, so I feel I can explore more challenging roles if I wish to do so. The non-blame culture is also very conducive to learning from our mistakes."
How Barking and Dagenham supports social workers
Barking and Dagenham’s commitment to developing its social care workforce ensures that every aspiring social worker, regardless of their chosen route, receives the support and opportunities needed to thrive. From fast-track programmes like Step-Up to flexible apprenticeships and traditional degrees, the borough accomodates pathways that meet the diverse needs of its future workforce.
If you’re considering a career in social work, Barking and Dagenham is a great place to start. The borough provides a supportive, inspiring environment to begin your journey.