HC Deb 06 March 1973 vol 852 cc208-9
2. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance his Department has given about the training of social workers.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Sir Keith Joseph)

Promotion of social work training is the responsibility of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work, whose interim plans envisage an expansion in the output of qualified staff from training courses of about 50 per cent. between now and 1976. In asking local authorities for 10-year development plans for the social services, I have suggested that in forecasting their training programmes they should assume a substantial and continuing expansion in output of qualified staff throughout the period of the plan.

Mr. Dormand

Does the right lion. Gentleman agree that there will be a vast increase in the number of social workers in the next few years? In view of this and the wide variety of the work involved, does he not think that the time has now arrived to take a broad look at the whole of education and training for social workers? Will he in the first place take steps to call a conference of all interested parties, which would include the Department of Education and Science and representatives of social workers, to assess future needs and in particular to stop the fragmentation of training and education which is already taking place?

Sir K. Joseph

The Central Council is an independent body and I think that the best thing I can do is to suggest that the hon. Member might meet the chairman or officers of the council.

Mr. Edward Taylor

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one way in which we could expand social worker recruitment would be to remove uncertainty among medical social workers about their future under the health service reorganisation? Has any progress been made in this connection?

Sir K. Joseph

Yes. I believe that I have heard and digested all the arguments on both sides and I hope to come to a decision very soon.

Mr. Grimond

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how the supply of trained social workers is keeping up with the growing demand?

Sir K. Joseph

There is an almost in exhaustible demand for trained social workers. The training programmes are expanding as fast as is practical but there are not enough trained social workers coming out yet.