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The Scottish executive has launched a recruitment drive for social work accepting that vacancies in the profession are now at crisis level, Cathy Jamieson, minister for education and social work, announced, writes Reg McKay.

Jamieson said that executive funding to local authorities had recruited an extra 100 social workers in the year 2001-02. In spite of this there remained some 350 vacancies in the social work sector with an additional 5 per cent of home care posts still vacant.

The executive’s aim is to fill vacancies and improve staff morale. Jamieson said: "To do this we must make sure that people in the workforce are well equipped for the job they are doing, that they are adequately supported in their day-to-day roles, and that they are valued for the often difficult and challenging work they do."

The executive’s strategy includes £3.5 million already allocated to local authorities for staff training and supporting frontline staff. A recruitment and awareness campaign will also be launched to attract people into all levels of the profession. A new honours degree course is to be created with access being available to a wide range of individuals with differing skills and knowledge.

The Scottish executive’s strategy received cross-party support in the parliament, but the way the announcement was made received criticism from opposition parties. The SNP said it welcomed the statement, but it was too little too late having been promised three years ago. The Scottish Tories also welcomed the decision, but accused the executive of showing "contempt" to social care staff by not giving greater notice of the announcement.