International social work programme wins award

A PROGRAMME focused on recruiting qualified and experienced international social workers, was announced as a winner on May 1, 2025 at the Social Care Wales Accolades ceremony, held at the Holland House Hotel, Cardiff.

- STAFF REPORTER

The awards celebrate and share notable work in social care, childcare, play, and early years in Wales, recognising the work of groups, teams and organisations.

This year 11 projects and seven individuals reached the final round of the awards across six categories. Six winners were presented with their awards on the night, including the successful International Recruitment for Children's Social Workers programme obtaining the Developing and Inspiring the Workforce award.

The winning programme aims to achieve the best outcomes for children and families by helping reduce the teams' reliance on agency workers, improving staff retention and developing the experience of the workforce.

The successful project has so far recruited 13 social workers from across South Africa, Zimbabwe and the USA, which has brought stability to the teams.

International children's social worker Jerry Letsoalo shared his experience of joining Bridgend County Borough Council social work team and winning the award.

"I qualified as a social worker in May 2013 in South Africa and practised there until I came over to Wales in June 2023 and joined Bridgend County Borough Council's Children's Services as a children's social worker.