§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take measures to increase the number of social workers in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristIt is for individual local authorities to determine the appropriate number of social workers required to meet their statutory obligations and provide an adequate range and depth of services. Rate support grant provision to local authorities for 1989–90 was 14.5 per cent. higher than that for 1988–89. My right hon. Friend will be announcing the rate support grant for 1990–91 in the autumn.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of social workers employed by each of the county authorities of Wales; what is his estimate of the number of fully qualified social workers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian GristThe information requested is given in the table. Details of qualifications are available centrally only for full-time staff.
Local Authority Number of full-time social workers at 30 September 1988 Total1 Qualified2 Clwyd 168 144 Dyfed 148 117 Gwent 208 175 Gwynedd 111 71 Mid Glamorgan 245 204 Powys 41 27 South Glamorgan 188 170 West Glamorgan 167 106 Notes: 1 Senior social workers, social workers and community workers. 2 Holding the certificate of qualification in social work of the CCETSW or equivalent.