HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc45-6W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of compensation have been awarded to former social workers in each of the last five years in the social services departments in(a) Haringey, (b) Ealing, (c) Brent and (d) Enfield; and for what amounts; [96105]

(2) how many social workers working with vulnerable children have been subject to disciplinary measures in each of the last five years in (a) Haringey Social Services,(b) Ealing Social Services, (c) Brent Social Services and (d) Enfield Social Services. [96041]

Jacqui Smith

It is the responsibility of the individual local authority, as the employer, to maintain records relating to their employment policies, procedures and actions in relation to disciplinary matters. The Department does not collect this data centrally.

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies he estimates there are for social workers in(a) London, broken down by borough and (b) the UK; and if he will make a statement. [97586]

Jacqui Smith

We do not hold central information on vacancies in each local authority social services department in England for social workers.

A survey undertaken by the Employers Organisation found that, across all local authority social services departments in England as at 30 September 2001, around 10 per cent. of all field social worker posts were vacant.