Ex-social workers that are now working in other fields are being encouraged to return to the profession and partake in a new training course.

Croydon Council have launched a Return to Social Work pilot programme, which offers those who formerly worked in social work jobs the chance to return to the profession with the help of the new support package. The support and training cover current social work theory and practice, which the qualified social worker may not be aware of.

Each course is for a period of 20 days and offers advice and practical support to help the professionally qualified social worker to find a position within a children and family setting. Course participants also receive financial support including travel costs and child care assistance.

The pilot scheme was developed by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC), in partnership with London South Bank University (LSBU) and the Department for Education (DfE). The course is set to run from the last week of February until the beginning of July and from the beginning of March until the beginning of August.

Keith Brumfitt, the Director of Children's Trusts at CWDC told Your Local Guardian.co.uk: "This is a great opportunity for those qualified social workers who left the profession and are working elsewhere to get back in and start to make a difference again."

"The training and support on offer is excellent and will enable social workers to get back up to speed on current social work theory and practice they will need to re-enter the profession."