§ 43. Mr. Abseasked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will publish the latest figures of the anticipated needs during the next three years of qualified social workers for child care, welfare and health departments of local authorities; and what steps are being taken to ensure training of the required numbers.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerThe number of child care officers employed by local authorities in England and Wales on 31st March, 1966, was 2,341, and in Scotland, 146. Local authorities' forecast requirement, on the basis of their existing functions, is 3,884 staff in England and Wales as at 31st March, 1970, and 225 in Scotland as at 31st December, 1968. The number of students qualifying for the Central Training Council's Letter of Recognition is expected to rise from 280 in 1966 to about 675 in 1969. All but a few of these are expected to take up or resume employment in the local authority children's services in Great Britain.
The number of social workers at present employed in local authority health and welfare departments is about 4,400 in England and Wales and 300 in Scotland. Local authorities' forecast requirement for 31st December, 1969, is 5,494 in England and Wales and 450 in Scotland.
The number of students qualifying annually for the Certificate in Social Work of the Council for Training in Social Work is expected to rise from 208 in 1966 to about 500 in 1969. It is expected that most of those so qualifying will take up employment in the local authority health and welfare services in Great Britain. In addition, a number of those students who qualify as University-trained (or equivalent) social workers are also expected to take up such employment.
The requirement figures as stated above do not distinguish between qualified staff and others; for all posts, applicants holding one of the qualifications referred to are preferred.