To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he estimates that all officials in charge of children's homes will be qualified.

The target date for all officers in charge of local authority maintained and controlled residential homes for children to be qualified to CQSW/CSS/DipSW standard is 1995–96. The special training initiative being introduced from 1992–93 as part of the Department's training support programme will provide significant help to local authorities in achieving this aim. It will also be necessary for local authorities to have regard to appropriate management and personnel policies, paying particular attention to recruitment and retention issues.