Twickenham MP Vince Cable met with young social workers providing essential support in Richmond last week (March 11).

The visit was scheduled one week ahead of the forthcoming World Social Work Day taking place tomorrow (19 March).

Mr Cable, who is also the Liberal Democrats leader, spoke to trainee and qualified social workers from Frontline and Achieving for Children to get a greater understanding of their work.

The veteran Westminster politician said it had been an enlightening experience and said he proudly supported the work both organizations help coordinate and sponsor.

Mr Cable said: "It was really educational and uplifting to learn more about social work in Twickenham today by being involved in some of their sensitive and challenging work.

"I'm proud to support Achieving for Children and Frontline's partnership, developing social workers to support the most vulnerable children and families in the borough."

He added that he hoped World Social Work Day would inspire more students who were contemplating a future in social work to lend their hands.

Mr Cable said: "On World Social Work Day I’m calling for more talented graduates to apply their skills to social work and to register their interest by signing up to Frontline."

The Frontline programme qualifies graduates and career changers as children’s social workers, and equips them with the skills necessary to become leaders in social work and broader society, training 1 in 10 new social workers each year.

To date, 600 participants have qualified as social workers through the programme.