HC Deb 13 November 2001 vol 374 c688W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to overhaul training courses available to social services staff. [14343]

Jacqui Smith

Guidance on the training and qualifications that all social care staff should undertake is given in the National Training Strategy document: "Modernising the Social Care Workforce" which the National Training Organisation for Social Care published, with endorsement from the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton), in July 2000.

In March 2001 we also announced the development of a three-year degree level qualification in social work to replace the current two-year Diploma course. The degree level qualification will be introduced in England from September 2003.