HC Deb 15 April 1965 vol 710 cc233-4W
Mr. Mapp

58. & 59. asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will state, for the latest available date, the numbers of child care officers and separately trained residential workers in child care in England and Wales, and the number of unfilled vacancies in each category;

(2) if he will give the numbers of child care officers and separately trained residential workers in child care entering the service in 1964, and the numbers required for the years 1965 and 1966.

Miss Bacon

The following is the answer.

Child care officers

On 31st March 1964 local authorities in England and Wales employed 1,773 whole-time child care officers, of whom 503 possessed the Central Training Council's Letter of Recognition and another 563 a degree or diploma in social science. There were 264 vacancies. To fill vacancies, replace wastage, and provide for new posts estimated to number 328, about 750 new entrants would be required in the following twelve months, and about 600 in 1965–66, including 380 for additional posts.

In the twelve months ended 31st March 1964, 372 officers entered the service, including 114 with the Letter of Recognition and 127 others with a social science degree or diploma.

Residential staff

On 1st August 1961 local authorities employed, in children's homes excluding hostels and nurseries, 295 whole-time resident staff in the grades of Housefather and Assistant, and 2,751 whole-time resident staff in the grades of Housemother and Assistant. There were 15 vacancies for men and 336 for women. In the previous twelve months, 44 men and 824 women left the service, and an annual intake of that order would be required to fill existing whole-time posts. In this service training is given after entry. The whole-time women staff in post are estimated to have included 10 per cent, with the Central Training Council's Certificate, 30 per cent. who had attended other Central Training Council courses, and 11 per cent. who had received other training specifically for work in children's homes.

Later figures are not available but a further inquiry into the staffing of residential establishments, including children's homes, is being undertaken by the National Council of Social Service with the co-operation of the Departments concerned.