§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to set up a forum of organisations with an interest in residential care.
§ Mr. YeoI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Ms. Prentice) on 5 June at column670.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to develop a post-qualifying award geared to residential care.
§ Mr. YeoResponsibility for promoting training in social work lies with the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW). CCETSW is currently developing a post-qualifying framework for social work staff, with funding from the Department, and from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Within the framework, CCETSW will offer post-qualifying and advanced awards to social workers, including residential social workers, who meet the required standards.
We shall be considering the qualification and training needs of staff working in residential care, in consultation with CCETSW, as part of our response to Sir William Utting's report, "Children in Public Care" published last year and to the recently published report of the residential staffs inquiry chaired by Lady Howe.