§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the social work programme that is funded by his Department in the School of Economic arid Social Studies at the University of East Anglia has been reduced from 14 students to six when the number of awards made nationally has been increased.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe social work programme in the School of Economic and Social Studies at the University of East Anglia is not funded by the Department. As at other institutions, however, we support a number of individual students on a post-graduate course which will qualify them as professional social workers. Other source s of support include secondment by local authority social services departments.
The reduction in the number of grants to students at East Anglia reflects our wish to share the grants evenly among the various institutions offering relevant course.. Taking account of support by the Home Office for postgraduate social work students intending to work in the probation service, the aim is that central Government support should be available for about 60 per cent. of students on postgraduate social work courses. Out of an estimated intake of 21 students to the course at East Anglia, six will be supported by the Department and seven by the Home Office.