Social and Care Workers

HC Deb 24 October 2001 vol 373 c310W

Hywel Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to recruit and retain social and care workers. [9266]

Jacqui Smith

On 19 October 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £1.5 million recruitment campaign, which is designed to increase the number of people interested in careers in social work and social care work in England. As well as this action to tackle recruitment problems, the Department is also working with the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services to help employers implement policies to improve recruitment and retention of staff.