§ Lord Northbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied with the number and qualifications of the applicants for entry into training for the Diploma in Social Work this year; how this number compares with the same figure for each of the previous three years; and whether they propose to take any action to attract a larger number of suitably qualified applicants in future. [HL4385]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe number of people applying for Diploma in Social Work Courses has been reducing over the past four years. This is unsatisfactory. Without the right number of staff with the right skills, we shall not be able to deliver and maintain the substantial improvement agenda that we have embarked upon.
The number of applications that were received for Diploma in Social Work Courses over the past three years was:
- 1996: 9,100
- 1997: 7,722
- 1998: 6,254
- 1999: 5,175
These figures do not include the number of applications that were made directly to training programmes, as this information is not held centrally.
Information about the qualifications of applicants is not centrally available.
To try to reverse this situation, the Central Council for Education and Training of Social Workers is developing a recruitment initiative to attract candidates for the Diploma in Social Work.
On 20 October, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health announced that 132WA additional funding totalling £41 million over the next three years will be made available to support trainees through professional social work entry level training.