HC Deb 14 July 1992 vol 211 cc684-5W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps have been taken by the Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work to ensure that the training of social workers approved under the Mental Health Act 1983, includes a knowledge of mental illness and its treatment;

(2) what steps are being taken by the Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work to ensure that social workers in training for approval and those already approved are aware of the contents of the letter about inaccuracies in the code of practice under the Mental Health Act 1983 sent to local authorities on 18 February;

(3) what guidance approved social workers receive about implementing the policy of using resources for early and appropriate intervention to prevent deterioration of a mentally ill person's condition.

Mr. Yeo

All local authorities have access to approved training programmes for those social workers they wish to approve to carry out duties under mental health legislation. The Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work has a responsibility to approve these courses of training and has set out full guidelines on course content in their paper 19.19; "Regulations and Guidance for the Training of Social Workers to be considered for Approval in England and Wales under the Mental Health Act 1983" which was published in January 1987. This guidance is currently under review.

Although their primary purpose is to prepare such social workers for the specific duties they are to carry out under the Mental Health Act 1983 they may also be used to meet more general staff development needs in relation to mental health social work.

The letter of 18 February was circulated widely. with instructions that it should be drawn to the attention of all staff concerned with the implementation of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by the Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work to prepare social workers and probation officers for work with mentally disordered offenders and similar patients in secure settings.

Mr. Yeo

The joint Department of Health and Home Office review of health and social services for mentally disordered offenders has considered relevant aspects of the training of social workers.

The report of the review's staffing and training advisory group was published for consultation on 2 June. A number of its recommendations, if accepted by Ministers, would require action by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.