Number of social work students falls again

The number of people applying to become social workers fell
again last year, new statistics show.

For 2001 entry there were just 4,703 applicants to the Social
Work Admissions System, which processes 60 per cent of the total
number of applications, compared to 11,526 in 1995, a fall of 59
per cent.

A spokesperson for the General Social Care Council said as the
department of health recruitment campaign was only announced in
October, its effects will not be clear until the numbers of
applicants for 2002/03 are known.

She added that the change from student grants to student loans
has affected the number of applicants to social work courses, and
that social work has to compete for students with nursing and
teaching, which have financial incentives for students to join
courses.