Social work to gain foothold in schools

Social workers could provide services in more than 200 schools
across the country under government plans to have at least one
school in every local education authority offering a range of
community services by 2006.

The 240 “extended schools” will receive funding of £52m over
three years to provide health and social care, child care, lifelong
learning opportunities, family learning, parenting support, sports
and the arts.

The money will go initially to the most disadvantaged areas before
being rolled out throughout the country. Schools can decide which
services to spend their money on depending on local needs.