A NORTH-EAST group has been awarded two pilot contracts by the national workforce development group for social care, Skills for Care.

Hartlepool Partners, working with the Social Work Team at the University of Teesside, has been commissioned to develop strategies for service user involvement and carer involvement.

Skills For Care North-East chairman Mike Lauerman said he was delighted that the region would be playing a part in shaping social care.

He said: "These two strategies will ultimately provide more opportunities for personal carers and people who receive care to play an increased role in the development of new services and social care qualifications."

The chairman of Hartlepool Partners, John Maddison, is a former police officer who has multiple sclerosis and requires dily care.

He said: "It is vital that people who receive care from personal carers within their own family, or professional carers from outside, are given a voice which can effect meaningful change on how services are delivered."

Wade Tovey, who will work with the group, and who leads the University of Teesside Social Work team, said: "Workforce development and occupational standards clearly need to reflect what is going on in our communities."