§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) women and (b) men were employed full time as qualified social workers in each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. StewartCentrally held information does not distinguish between women and men employed as social workers. Nor is information held centrally about staff employed in the independent sector. The table sets out the number of qualfied social workers employed by local authorites in Scotland in each of the past 10 years.
108W
Numbers of social workers holding certificate of qualification in social work, certificate in social service or other social work qualification, October 1982 to October 1991 Senior Social Workers Main Grade Social Workers Total October 1982 515 1,887 2,402 October 1983 570 1,931 2,501 October 1984 534 1,959 2,493 October 1985 582 2,068 2,650 October 1986 622 2,191 2,813 October 1987 623 2,296 2,919 October 1988 633 2,457 3,090 October 1989 671 2,571 3,242 October 1990 666 2,572 3,238 October 1991 693 2,805 3,498 Figures relate to full and part time staff as they cannot be separated; In 1991, 96 per cent. of all senior social workers and 83 per cent. of all main grade social workers worked full-time.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to change the training and qualifications required by those seeking employment as social workers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartThere are no plans to change the training and qualifications required by those seeking to enter the social work profession. A new diploma in social work has been introduced in the last two years replacing earlier qualifications. In Scotland there are now 16 college-based and distance learning routes to achieving the new diploma in social work.