Candidates are quizzed

Parliamentary candidates have been asked if they will improve
pay and conditions for social care staff if elected on 7 June.

The British Association of Social Workers has sent a list of
questions on social care issues to all candidates from the three
main political parties.

The questions included challenges to improve pay and conditions
for social workers, to support legislation preventing physical
punishment of children, and to end charging for social care.

Candidates were also asked whether they would support a
probationary period for newly trained social care staff, and
whether they would require employers to tackle stress and violence
in the workplace.

BASW said the questions were designed to give candidates a
flavour of the issues of key interest to the profession.