MPs look into training of social workers

The Children, Schools and Families Select Committee investigation will also look into the structure and content of training, as well as entry routes into the profession.

Among the issues covered by the inquiry will be whether entry routes to social work are flexible enough to encourage mature students, re-entrants and people considering a career change.

It will also look at whether a three-year bachelor's degree/two-year masters degree is the "right format and level for initial social work training".

The inquiry will also investigate:

* how newly qualified social workers should be equipped with the further skills and experience they need

* whether the generic social work degree is suitable for training children and families social workers

* whether the content of training reflects the tasks social workers will be asked to undertake when in employment

* how effectively the General Social Care Council regulates the quality of training.

The committee has requested submissions to the inquiry, with a deadline of 8 May.

Barry Sheerman, chairman of the committee, said: "The preparation that social workers receive to do their very difficult jobs with children is of great interest to the committee and of great importance to families. We want to examine the issues to see if the Government - through the Social Work Taskforce and other initiatives - is taking the right approach to training and supporting new social workers."