THREE YEAR DEGREE AND RE-REGISTRATION CONFIRMED BY MINISTER

Health minister John Hutton has announced a three-year degree
programme in social work from 2003, and confirmed plans to ensure
continual professional development through re-registration.

The reforms are a result of extensive consultations with the
social care field following the publication of ‘A Quality Strategy
for Social Care’ and accompanying reports on the future of the
DipSW in August 2000.

Hutton described the extension of the degree as a “big step
forward” in enhancing the study of social work. “It will better
equip social workers for every day practice,” he said. “This is a
major opportunity and the sector has been calling for it for
years.”

Arthur Keefe, chairperson of training body TOPSS England, said
he was pleased that Hutton appeared to be keeping an open mind
about funding for the additional year of study for social work
students.

Hutton said in response to questions about funding: “There’s
time to prepare for this.”

The General Social Care Council, which will come into force in
October 2001, will be responsible for setting out the requirements
for re-registration.