Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children's social workers were employed by London local authorities in each year since 2010.

The numbers of children’s social workers and agency social workers employed by London local authorities each year are published in the supplementary tables in the Children’s Social Work Workforce data collection. This can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-childrens-social-care-workforce

The Children’s Social Work Workforce data collection was first collected in 2013, with the collection’s third release published on 25 February 2016.

The Department for Education is implementing the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force, endorsed by the Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) and the 2014 Narey Review to ensure that university training of children's social workers is maintained at a high standard.

Social work bursaries were established in 2003 to encourage more people with aptitude and ability to enter the social work profession. In accordance with SWRB recommendations, bursaries were capped from 2013 to help ensure universities focused training on undergraduates are able to meet expected standards for social work. In addition, the Education Support Grant is distributed to Higher Education Institutions to support the cost of essential practice placement experience for social work students. Over 2010-15 government invested over £516 million in social work bursaries and the Education Support Grant. A further £81 million is budgeted for 2015-16.

Fast-track entry routes into social work are delivered in conjunction with partnering universities. In the case of Step Up, regional partnerships of local authorities commission bespoke training from universities able to deliver high-quality intensive courses for high-calibre students with at least a 2:1 first degree or a 2:2 degree with a postgraduate (level 7) qualification. The University of Bedfordshire delivers Frontline’s high-quality intensive academic programme to candidates with at least a 2:1 first degree. Both programmes take into account the standards laid out in the Chief Social Worker’s Knowledge and Skills statement

The Government’s Social Work Teaching Partnership Programme is also playing a key role in our plan for system reform. The partnerships established last year – with continuation funding available from 2016-18 – have already set a new direction of travel for social work training and continuing professional development. To be eligible for funding, partnerships must have a minimum entry tariff of 300 UCAS points for undergraduate applicants. They are required to integrate into their curricula the standards laid out in the Chief Social Worker’s Knowledge and Skills statement. They also provide a greater element of practitioner teaching and practice experience for academic tutors.

Further, whilst some training courses are excellent, too many do not give trainees the skills and knowledge they need. That is why, in partnership with the Secretary of State for Health, it is our intention to set up a new body that will have a relentless focus on raising the quality of social work education, training and practice. This will happen as soon as possible.