workforce

Business executives joined Kingston-upon-Thames social workers at the front line in October to find out what their job entails.

Managers from accountancy, advertising and finance participated in the scheme, which was designed to provide an insight into the life of social workers caring for a range of client groups including children and people with learning difficulties.

The Care for a Day scheme was backed by the Department of Health, which launched a recruitment campaign to attract people into the social work profession last week.

Director of social services Roy Taylor said: "Many people's views of social work are clearly inaccurate and I hope that our efforts through this and other schemes will help set the record straight. A genuine understanding of what social work is about will encourage more people to consider joining the profession."