North West recruitment event success

SocNow – the major social work and social care event in
North West  – was held on 12 June in Manchester.

The event was described by Caroline Marsh, deputy director of
social services in Manchester, as “a huge success”.

It was aimed at those looking to start a career in social work,
students who were seeking permanent work and social workers who
were wishing to change their current employment and move to the
North West.

The 12 authorities and exhibitors represented at the event
believe the variety of settings and the multiple cultural and
natural attractions of the region were a strong selling point on
the day.

Partly as a result of pre-registration the event was attended by
many more people than before. In addition visitors came from
further afield than in the previous two years.

Pointing to the highlights of the day Marsh said:
“Particularly successful this year were the workshops which
were heavily overly subscribed.  These covered issues such as
‘Getting over the Recruitment Hurdle’ and most popular was a
interactive drama session showing what a ‘Day in the life of a
Social Worker’ is really like!”

This workshop was added at last month’s event for the
first time with the intention of bringing the dilemmas and
decision-making procedures of the profession alive by getting those
attending the workshop to evaluate different scenarios.

There were also workshops on training and another one which set
out ideas on how to achieve a work/life balance within the context
of a career in social care. A free newspaper advertising current
vacancies was available on the day.

Carloine Marsh said: “The Steering Group will be
undertaking a more detailed evaluation in a few months time to see
how successful the region has been in actually recruiting to social
work posts.  However, initial impressions were that the event was a
terrific success and we are already beginning to plan for SocNow
2004.”