Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it compulsory for the new trust boards to employ approved social workers to care for(a) the mentally sick and (b) people with disability; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramAny health and social services trust holding an authorisation from a board to exercise statutory functions under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 is already under a statutory duty to employ approved social workers and accordingly no further action is necessary.
Approved social workers are only appointed under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 to exercise functions in relation to applications for admission to hospital and guardianship in respect of people with mental disorder ie mental illness, mental handicap or any other disorder or disability of mind.