Driving Better Outcomes with North Tyneside

The Customer

North Tyneside Council set out to strengthen the local and regional social work workforce by developing a sustainable pipeline of skilled, resilient practitioners. Recognising that this required more than a training programme, the Council sought a collaborative partnership that could deliver education, support and real-world experience at scale.

Through the government’s Step Up to Social Work initiative, North Tyneside led the North East Regional Partnership to deliver a 14-month Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. The programme aimed to bring 52 aspiring social workers into the profession through a fast-track route combining academic study with practical placements across diverse local authority teams. 

The Need

• Delivering a large-scale regional training program across multiple stakeholders

• Coordinating Local Authorities, a Higher Education Institution (HEI) and a

• Regional Steering Group

• Maintaining consistent quality, governance and compliance

• Supporting trainee wellbeing during an intensive program

• Managing financial pressures caused by phased funding and payment 

Drivers for Change

• Growing demand for qualified social workers across the region

• Need for a sustainable, long-term workforce solution

• Requirement to align training with national standards (KSS and PCF)

• Desire to create a program rooted in real-world practice

The Solution

North Tyneside Council appointed a Higher Education Institution to co-design and deliver the programme in partnership with Local Authorities.

Together, the partners developed a curriculum aligned to national standards and local workforce needs. The 14-month programme blended online and face-to-face learning with two major placements, including a 100-day statutory children’s placement.

Key elements of the solution included:

• Practice Educator training and guidance

• Practice Assessment Panel (PAP) oversight of trainee portfolios

• Regular Progress reviews with HEI tutors

• Ongoing Curriculum Reviews to maintain compliance with Social Work England

• Strong Governance through the Regional Partnership Steering Group
  
  

This partnership model increased internal capacity while ensuring compliance, efficiency and strong supplier engagement.

The Outcome

• Contract awarded within 12 days
• 46 trainees successfully completed the program by March
• One additional trainee progressing via an extended pathway

Strong employment outcomes:

• Majority employed by their placement Local Authority

• Others employed by partner authorities and beyond the region

• Graduates returning as ambassadors to support recruitment and engagement

• Program revalidated by Social Work England for Cohort 9 starting January 2026

Step Up to Social Work initiative Delivered

14 Month Post Graduate Diploma

52 Trainees Recruited

Regional Partnership Model

Revalidation by Social Work England

See how collaborative partnerships can build sustainable public sector workforces and deliver long-term impact