Social work news

• DHSC to end bar on social work bursaries for returning undergraduate students

  28-10-2025 18:50
  
  The government will end a bar on undergraduate social work students in England being reallocated a bursary on resuming their training after withdrawing or deferring their studies for reasons other than maternity leave.
  Instead it will apply the approach it takes to postgraduate students who resume their studies after withdrawing or deferring, under which they may be given a bursary on resumption in exceptional circumstances
  Though the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is yet to update
  
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• Think Ahead broadens focus beyond social work following DHSC decision to end funding for fast-track scheme

  28-10-2025 16:17
  
  Think Ahead is to broaden its focus beyond social work following the government’s decision to end funding for its fast-track scheme to train practitioners to work in adult mental health.
  The charity plans to offer training to the wider mental health workforce, though will advocate for the reinstatement of a social work training scheme, with the last cohort of its programme having started their two-year course earlier this year.
  The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)’s decisi
  
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• 45% rise since 2022 in number of children waiting for adoption, as adopter numbers plummet

  28-10-2025 13:35
  
  There has been a 45% rise in the number of children waiting to be adopted in England over the past three years, as prospective adopter numbers have plummeted, official figures have shown.
  Average waiting times for children with a placement order have also grown significantly, with particularly long delays for those aged five and over or with a disability, according to the latest Adoption and Special Guardianship Quarterly Data Collection.
  Sector leaders said the cost of living was contributing t
  
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