Social Workers (Hansard, 16 January 2002)

§ Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department intends to introduce to recruit more social workers. [27235]

§ Jacqui Smith
On 19 October 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £1.5 million recruitment campaign which is designed to increase the number of people interested in careers in social work and social care work. The first phase of the campaign was very successful—with over 14,000 calls to the help line and over 11,000 visitors to the website. We are now working on the second phase of the campaign.
As well as this action to tackle recruitment problems, the Department is also working with the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services to help employers implement policies to improve recruitment and retention of staff.

§ Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures exist to allow his Department to(a) monitor and (b) appraise the work of social workers. [27237]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Department does not monitor or appraise the work of social workers. Responsibility for this rests with individual employers.