Importance of involving young people with care experience in recruiting social worker posts

A film produced by our staff and young people with care experience as part of Social Work Week 2021 (8-12 March) will be screened at a national conference.

As part of the speaker’s corner session run by Social Work England on Friday 12 March, the 14-minute film focuses on the impact on young people involved in interviews for social work posts, the difference it made for social workers; and how this has affected the organisational culture.

The film features several young people and adults from the city with care experience who are part of our youth participation team’s young ambassador’s programme. This initiative provides training and accreditation for young people to sit on recruitment panels and interview new social workers.

Hollie Mattison, who was one of the young people to take part in the film, said: “We get the opportunity to sit on the interview panel with adults and professionals to give our opinion and our voice on what we think of the social workers interviewed for the job.

“We’re not judging them on their professional abilities we’ll be looking at them from a service user point of view, are they approachable do them seem warm and friendly? We have a different perspective to bring to the table which is really important.”

Former young ambassador Vinny Stephenson added: “A lot of young people say how did that social worker get the job, so to have young people like us who have been in the care system involved in the recruitment process is a really good thing.”

Social workers also contributed to the film. Kath Minter is a returning social worker, she said of the interviewing experience: “It was quite fun having a young person interview me, it felt lovely and relaxing, and feels more real. 

"The message it gave me is this is a local authority that really values listening to the voice of young people. Working in partnership with young people and families as well and not making decisions on their behalf but alongside the social workers.”

Deb Austin, Executive director for families, children and learning, concluded: “We’re all about improving outcomes for children and families. To do that we need to have authentic, child focused staff. It’s crucial that they can relate to children and young people, and more importantly that young people can relate to our staff and I think a young person’s panel as part of the recruitment process is a window into that.”

Watch the full 14-minute Supporting Social Worker Week 2021 film.

If you would like to find out more about the Young Ambassadors programme, email Debbie Garrett, Senior Youth Worker, at Debbie.garrett@brighton-hove.gov.uk.