Leadbetter to head new training force

President of the Association of Directors of
Social Services, Mike Leadbetter, is to head a new practice
learning task force.

The
task force has been set up to meet the demand for more practice
training in the new social work degree and will start work in
September, hosted by training organisation Topss
England.

Announcing the appointment at the
education of social workers conference last week, health minister
Jacqui Smith said: “We must ensure that social workers get the
range of high quality practice learning opportunities they need to
make the best possible start on a rewarding career.

“The
practice learning task force will work with employers and higher
education institutions to see that this happens and I am delighted
that Mike Leadbetter has agreed to lead this work,” she
added.

As
director of the task force Leadbetter will be supported by a
project manager and nine practice learning change agents. The task
force will be supported by Department of Health including
monitoring the provision of practice learning through performance
indicators, a review of the funding mechanisms for practice
learning and the design of guidance materials including
e-learning.

Leadbetter, who is also director
of social services at Essex, said: “We will take a radical look at
how we fund, support and develop learning opportunities for social
workers.”

“The
importance of embedding social work training within a learning
organisation and promoting continuous professional development will
also be part of our task,” he added.