§ 29. Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on residential social work.
§ Mrs. Virgina BottomleyResidential care will continue to form a significant sector in the spectrum of social services provision for adults and children. The Registered Homes Act 1984 and the Children Act 1989 and associated regulations provide the legislative framework for the maintenance of proper standards of service in residential establishments, including the protection of vulnerable people—adults and children. This will be helped by the introduction last year of independent inspection units in local authorities.
The Department's social services training support programme, which is increased by £4–2 million to a total of £29 million in 1992–93, will again improve the availability of training for social services staff, including those who work in residential homes. From April this year, the programme will include a new initiative aimed at boosting the qualifying training of officers in charge of local authority maintained and controlled residential homes for children.