§ Mr. Abseasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will publish figures extracted from the study he has now completed of the probable needs during the next two years of qualified social workers for the child care, welfare and health departments of local authorities; and what steps are being taken to ensure training of the required numbers.
§ Mr. HoughtonThe number of child care officers employed by local authorities in England and Wales on 31st March, 1965 was 2,010 whole-time and 140 part-time. The authorised establishment on the same date was 2,376 whole-time and 23 part-time. Local authorities forecast an establishment of 3,012 whole-time and 21 part-time on 31st March, 1967, on the basis of their existing functions. The number of students expected to obtain 217W professional qualifications recognised by the Central Training Council in Child Care is 235 in 1965, 273 in 1966, and about 400 in 1967.
In December, 1963 local authorities in England and Wales estimated that the staff establishment for social workers required for the health and welfare services would be:
31.12.65 31.12.67 Social workers with relevant university or equivalent professional training 398 517 Social workers with Certificate in Social Work of the Council for Training in Social Work 313 691 Other social workers 2,832 2,820 Local authorities will shortly be providing up-to-date figures to show the number of social workers expected to be in post on 31st December, 1965; the figures for the first two categories of staff mentioned in the table are likely to fall short of the earlier local authority estimates. The number of students qualifying for the Certificate in Social Work is expected to rise from about 140 in 1965 to 250 in 1966 and 300 in 1967. In addition, a small number of students are expected to qualify each year as university-trained or equivalent social workers and to take up employment in the local authority health and welfare services.