Beverley Hughes congratulates graduates from social work degree

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes congratulated some of the first graduates of the new three-year social work degree at a House of Commons reception yesterday.

The graduates said they had prior experience of working in social care and had decided to take the degree to be able to move up to more senior positions.

The degree includes practice placements and the students said these really helped them to get to grips with social work.

Hughes said: “The new social care courses will improve the knowledge and experiences of children’s social workers and provide those families who need additional support with a better service.”

The new social work degree, introduced in England from September 2003, replaced the former diploma in social work.