Written question asked by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 May 2009. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Social Services: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what funding his Department has allocated for the implementation of the latest Laming Report's recommendations; and from what budgets such funding has been drawn;

Answer: The Government are investing £130 million in social work reform over the full spending review period, of which, £57.8 million is additional new investment announced on 6 May 2009 as part of the Government's detailed response to Lord Laming's Report. This represents a substantial commitment to improve the recruitment and training and development of social workers and will significantly increase the capacity of the system to implement change immediately.

Secondary information