Cambridgeshire Social Services is the latest authority to back a national campaign to raise the profile of social work.

It is hoped that the campaign by the Local Government Association and Community Care magazine will prompt those considering a career to look at social work and those who have left the profession to think about returning to it.

A range of leaflets and posters will be posted around the county in libraries, schools, social services offices, district councils, hospitals, health centres and GP surgeries to boost public awareness of social work and highlight the positive difference social workers can make to people's lives.

The aim of the campaign is to address the national shortage of social workers. In Cambridgshire the council is looking as far as Australia to find social workers to fill vacancies.

Cambridgeshire's director of social services, Liz Railton, said: "We have been building links with a training organisation in Australia and social workers from there are a welcome addition to our current workforce.

"However, we also need to 'grow our own' and to attract young people leaving our schools or people thinking about a career change. The work can be challenging and at times very tough but working with people is always varied and you can make a real difference."

For more information about the campaign see www.community-care.co.uk/careers.