§ 17. Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the professional qualifications of the social care workforce. [88254]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are committed to improving the education and training of the social care workforce, and the Government's specific proposals were outlined in the White Paper "Modernising Social Services." We are currently considering the outcome of the second stage of a fundamental review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. This review has addressed in detail the widespread concerns about the quality of training leading to professional qualifications in social work. We hope to be able to make an announcement as to the findings of this review and its implications for improving professional social work education and training later this year.