§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include in the code of conduct for the General Social Care Council a requirement to establish and publish plans for monitoring the extent of(a) violence and (b) stress experienced by social workers, and to recommend to Government what action is necessary to minimise such pressures on social workers. [94721]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are determined to reduce substantially the incidence of violence towards everyone working in social care. We have set up a task force to produce a National Action Plan by November 2000 with recommendations and timescales for action to reduce violence against social care staff and to promote the safety and welfare of social care workers. We will also ensure that in drawing up its code of practice for employers the General Social Care Council includes practical references to dealing with violence.