Local authorities and a childeren's charity in the North West have banded together in an effort to recruit more social workers.

SOCNOW has been organised by the North West Association of Directors of Social Services as a regional means of tackling the national shortage of social workers.

Last week it held a recruitment roadshow in Manchester with invitations sent to every university and college in the country that runs social work courses. It has also set up a website where people can register an interest.

Council taking part in the scheme are Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Borough Council, Bolton Metropolitan Council, Cumbria County Council, Cheshire County Council, the Boys and Girls' Welfare Society, Halton Borough Council, Lancashire County Council, Oldham Borough Council, Manchester City Council, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Salford City Council, St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, Warrington Borough Council, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Sefton Council.