§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what facilities are being made available to enable experienced and mature social workers, over the age of 45 years and employed by local authorities, to obtain a recognised social work qualification.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what facilities are in practice made available in the principal towns and cities to enable experienced and mature social workers in local authority social work departments, over the age of 45 years, to obtain a recognised social worker qualification.
§ Mr. Deakins:The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work is responsible for the promotion of training courses leading to the certificate of qualification in social work, but the selection of students is a matter for the universities and colleges of further education concerned.
Some courses are specifically designed for older students and will not accept students under the age of 30. Others give priority to mature entrants and those looking to social work as a change of career. The majority of courses set no upper age limit. The formal academic requirements for entry to courses do not apply to persons over the age of 25.
There are good opportunities for mature students to train for a qualification. I hope that local authorities will consider their needs when deciding policies on secondment for training.