§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work has sufficient staffing resources to process diploma in social work course submissions in accordance with its own published timetables.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe are satisfied that the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) has adequate resources to fulfil its statutory remit under Section 10 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudication Act 1983. CCETSW's annual budget from the Department has increased from £16 million in 1989–90 to almost £23.5 million in 1991–92.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to introduce an appeal mechanism against decisions by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work on submissions for courses for diplomas in social work.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWithin the procedures for the course approvals there already exists an explicit appeal mechanism to enable programme providers to appeal against any refusal by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work to approve a DipSW programme.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if common criteria are being applied in the evaluation of all submissions for diploma in social work courses.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyApproval of programmes of study for the diploma in social work is the responsibility of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) and all decisions are based on training rules, approved by the Privy Council, and detailed guidelines which were published as CCETSW paper 30, a copy of which is available in the Library.