HC Deb 24 February 1977 vol 926 c651W
Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fully trained social workers were in practice in each of the last five years in England and Wales.

Mr. Deakins

The number of qualified1 whole-time social workers and senior social workers (excluding team leaders) employed by local authority social services departments in England at 30th September each year are as follows:

1971 (estimated figure thousands) 3.5
1972 3.3
1973 3.7
19742 4.6
19752(including estimated figures for Surrey and Trafford who did not submit staff qualification information) 5.4

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales that the equivalent Welsh figures are:—

1971(estimated figure) … 184
1972 … 184
1973 … 219
19742 … 220
19752 … 259

1. Holding the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or equivalent.

2. Includes hospital-based social workers transferred from the NHS.