Social work wins 8 per cent more recruits

The number of people applying to social work courses has risen by more than 8 per cent in the past year, according to provisional figures from the Social Work Admissions System - the route for 60 per cent of social work applicants. The numbers applying have increased from 4,680 in 2001 to 5,070 in 2002.

In 1991, the government began a campaign to recruit more social workers. The latest phase of the campaign will highlight the three-year degree course that will replace the diploma in social work from October 2003.