HC Deb 21 January 1980 vol 977 cc53-4W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards private social workers; and if he proposes to control the growth of this practice, and provide for their registra- tion and the possession of proper professional qualifications.

Sir George Young

The private provision of personal social services to those willing and able to pay for them is to be encouraged, in so far as it may afford relief to the statutory and voluntary services. The demand for private provision of social work help is, however, likely to be small, and no question of control or registration of private practice in social work arises at present. We shall, however, keep the situation under review.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the number of private social workers and the areas in which they work;

(2) how many local authority social workers are also in private practice.

Sir George Young

The number of persons offering social work for payment is not recorded centrally, but is thought to be extremely small.