RECENT

• read more about Open funding round – we want to hear from you
  Blog

  Open funding round – we want to hear from you

  2 July 2020

  In her latest blog, Louise Jones discusses the excitement - and anxiety - of launching our first open funding round.

  
• read more about We’re recruiting members for our Young Person’s Advisory Group
  News

  We’re recruiting members for our Young Person’s Advisory Group

  1 July 2020

  What Works for Children’s Social Care (WWCSC) are looking for up to seven young people who are aged between 18 and 25 to join our Young Person’s Advisory Group. The advisory group meets four times a year to discuss and advise on research projects which WWCSC are planning or are undertaking. Meetings are either virtual […]

  
• read more about WWCSC to fund four new systematic reviews in children’s social care
  News

  WWCSC to fund four new systematic reviews in children’s social care

  30 June 2020

  What Works for Children’s Social Care is delighted to announce funding for four new systematic reviews, to add to the knowledge base in children’s social care. The projects were selected to fill gaps identified in current literature and research, and to address some of the topics identified by the participants in our priority setting exercise, […]

  
• read more about We need to be mindful of the risks and wider impact of placing social workers in schools
  Blog

  We need to be mindful of the risks and wider impact of placing social workers in schools

  16 June 2020

  In a guest blog, Tina Russell, Director of Social Care & Safeguarding at Worcestershire Children First, outlines her concerns and discusses the issues to be addressed in order to ensure placing social workers in schools has positive outcomes for children, families, schools, social workers and children's social care departments.

  
• read more about We’re recruiting!
  News

  We’re recruiting!

  11 June 2020

  Team Administrator What Works for Children’s Social Care is recruiting a Team Administrator to support the organisation to be as effective and efficient as possible. We are looking for a highly organised and adaptable individual with a helpful and friendly demeanor. For more information please see here. Deadline: 12pm 26th June 2020

  
• read more about What Works and the Principal Social Worker Network join forces
  Blog

  What Works and the Principal Social Worker Network join forces

  29 May 2020

  We're delighted to share how we'll be partnering with the Principal Social Worker Network in the coming months to support those working in children's social care

  
• read more about Social Workers in Schools – results, and what’s next?
  Blog

  Social Workers in Schools – results, and what’s next?

  26 May 2020

  In his latest blog, Chief Executive Michael Sanders discusses the findings of our pilot studies placing social workers in schools, and the plan to extend this study to more schools around the country.

  
• read more about New funding announced to evaluate school-based interventions to improve outcomes for children and young people with social workers
  News

  New funding announced to evaluate school-based interventions to improve outcomes for children and young people with social workers

  26 May 2020

  The Department for Education announced £9.9 million to fund research by What Works for Children’s Social Care to improve the lives of children and young people in England who have had a social worker. The funding will support putting social workers in 80 schools, across ten local authorities in England; providing social worker supervision to Designated Safeguarding Leads in secondary schools in Greater Manchester; and evaluating interventions to close the educational attainment gap between young people who have had a social worker and their peers.

  
• read more about Pilot projects placing social workers in schools show promise, and will be expanded to 80 new schools
  News

  Pilot projects placing social workers in schools show promise, and will be expanded to 80 new schools

  26 May 2020

  Pilots placing social workers into 20 schools across Lambeth, Southampton, and Stockport, found indicative evidence that they reduced intervention into family life overall, and allowed social workers to build stronger relationships with both teachers and the young people and families they worked with.

  
• read more about Are we doing enough to support care experienced young people in higher education?
  Blog

  Are we doing enough to support care experienced young people in higher education?

  19 May 2020

  Following the release of our new report on care experienced young people and higher education, Michael Sanders wonders whether we are doing enough to support these young care leavers

  
• read more about We’re recruiting!
  News

  We’re recruiting!

  19 May 2020

  Director of Operations What Works for Children’s Social Care are looking for a new Director of Operations to support in shaping the future strategy and direction of the organisation as well as embed and oversee the operational processes. For more information and how to apply. Deadline: 12pm 8th June 2020.

  
• read more about Expectations for higher education attendance are lower for care experienced young people than their peers, and the gap widens as children get older
  News

  Expectations for higher education attendance are lower for care experienced young people than their peers, and the gap widens as children get older

  18 May 2020

  New research finds that expectations for higher education attendance are lower for care experienced young people than their peers, and the gap widens as children get older. The report also explores the factors that influence expectations and attendance.