Social work is one of the most important and challenging jobs in our local communities. Whether it's providing specialist support for adults, or making sure children are properly cared for, social workers are an essential part of the glue that binds our communities together. 

Training for such an essential role isn't easy – whether it's the hours the dedicated trainees spend working and studying, or the resources that councils and other local partners put in to making sure they can hit the ground running. Estimates from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development estimate that the average cost of replacing a qualified employee is around £27,000.