VULNERABLE children and their teachers will get extra support from the council in a new initiative.

Swindon Borough Council will send qualified social workers into eight of the borough’s secondary schools to help work with children deemed at risk.

The council has been given £450,000 by the government for the scheme as part of an experiment run by charity by What Works for Children’s Social Care.

The outcomes will be evaluated by academics at Cardiff University’s children’s social care research and development centre, with findings expected next year.

Cabinet member for children's services Mary Martin said: “We are delighted and excited to be granted funding to participate in this project to deploy experienced social workers within eight of the town’s secondary schools.

“This is good news for Swindon families and will strengthen our multi-agency partnership working as well as relationships with families.”

Deputy council leader Russell Holland said: “The placement of social workers within school settings will be an invaluable resource for schools and will allow them to build upon the skills of existing staff.

“In addition, the project will enable many young people to receive additional social work support that may otherwise have been unavailable.

“We hope to show strong outcomes for our young people so it results in a national roll-out of this initiative so that all secondary schools can benefit from this pilot in the future.”

Social workers can apply for a role at https://tinyurl.com/y6re7ywh