HC Deb 16 March 1971 vol 813 cc1174-5
15. Mr. Worsley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he will take to assist local authorities to organise voluntary participation in the social services.

Mr. Alison

We shall continue to take suitable opportunities to draw the attention of authorities to services where organised voluntary effort can be helpful. We also propose in a few selected areas to join with the authority and voluntary bodies in the area in experimental projects from which further information about the effective organisation of resources can be drawn.

Mr. Worsley

Would my hon. Friend agree that there is a great area where voluntary people can help the full-time professional local authority services? Will he see that the Department gives a lead in this matter?

Mr. Alison

I entirely agree with what my hon. Friend suggests. I reiterate that we have taken the initiative in proposing this pilot scheme for developing the very aspect in which he is interested.

Mr. Mayhew

To make the best use of volunteers for the mental welfare services, there is urgent need for more trained organisers. What is the Department doing to increase training in this area?

Mr. Alison

The King's Fund, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, is active in promoting the use of paid organisers of voluntary help. These must have some proper social work training before they can enter hospitals. We are seeking to extend the application of such paid organisers of voluntary help to every hospital with over 200 beds.

Mr. Denis Howell

Since the circular was sent out at the time of inception of the Young Volunteer Force Foundation, with the support of the Department, there has been general disappointment that it has not been taken up and that opportunities are not sufficiently sought by hospital authorities to create schemes to bring in young people on a voluntary basis. Many thousands of young people are anxious to give voluntary service but the lead must come from the authorities. Will the hon. Gentleman look into this and do all he can to increase the opportunities for the young people?

Mr. Alison

To some extent the initiative is bound to be left to the local authorities, and their response will similarly depend on the impact of the Young Volunteer Force Foundation. In local authority areas where there are voluntary schemes going on, my right hon. Friend has announced that substantial extra central funds are to be made available for local voluntary bodies.