§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what fee levels for social workers the general social care council will charge; what revenue will be generated from such fee levels; and if he will make a statement. [81718]
§ Jacqui SmithUnder the provisions of the Care Standards Act 2000, each social care council in the United Kingdom has the right to apply reasonable registration fees. The general social care council (GSCC) has consulted on a fee structure in England, and set a registration fee of £30 a year for qualified social workers. This was announced by the GSCC on 25 November 2002.
England's estimated 70,000 social workers will be registered first, starting in April 2003. followed by other categories of social care workers. When complete the registration of social workers will generate in the region of £2.1 million. The GSCC are currently developing their Business Plans for the next three years, including financial assumptions.