'Golden hello' for social workers

Trainee social workers in Lincolnshire are being enticed to stay in the county when they qualify by a 'golden hello' from the county council.

It is hoped the incentive, a bursary of up to £3,000, will help to boost the number of social workers in the area.

As well as encouraging trainee social workers to stay in Lincolnshire, the bursary is intended to attract students from other parts of the country.

The scheme will concentrate on those in their final years of university.

Through the Final Year Sponsorship scheme, the county council wants to attract students in the final year of their university course to work for them.

It is one of a number of schemes to boost the numbers of social workers in Lincolnshire which include increasing pay and sponsoring staff to get a social work qualification through distance learning.