§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many social workers are presently assigned to the Forest of Dean area; and what was the number in 1977, 1976, 1975, respectively.
§ Mr. DeakinsOn 23rd May 1978 there were 9.5—whole-time equivalent—social workers and senior social workers based in the Forest of Dean, excluding Newent which is covered by social workers from Gloucester. This number has not changed since 1975.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many social 610W workers are presently at work in Gloucestershire; and what is the distribution of those social workers between: (a) West Gloucestershire, (b) Gloucester, (c) Cheltenham, (d) Stroud, (e) Cirencester and Tewkesbury and (f) South Gloucester.
§ Mr. DeakinsOn 23rd May 1978 there were 116.5—whole-time equivalent—social workers and senior social workers in post in Gloucestershire. This number excludes seconded staff and hospital social workers.
Social workers are not allocated by parliamentary constituencies and those working in particular areas can be transferred should the need arise. However, one-third work in Gloucester, approximately 45 per cent. in Cheltenham, Cirencester and Tewkesbury, 15 per cent. in Stroud and the remainder in West Gloucestershire. The parliamentary constituency of West Gloucester is in Avon.