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Staff shortages in the mental health workforce: the case of the disappearing approved social worker
Author(s) -
Huxley Peter,
Evans Sherrill,
Webber Martin,
Gately Claire
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00575.x
Subject(s) - workforce , mental health , government (linguistics) , economic shortage , population , public sector , medicine , public health , business , psychology , environmental health , nursing , economic growth , psychiatry , political science , economics , linguistics , philosophy , law
Approved social worker (ASW) numbers in England and Wales were compared on the basis of two national surveys conducted in 1992 and 2002. These data were supplemented by reports published by the Employers’ Organisation in the intervening years. Although raw numbers suggested a modest absolute increase over this time, rates of ASWs per 100 000 population declined by over 50%. Possible explanations for this dramatic fall are explored. The authors conclude that specific and targeted action needs to be taken by the government and public sector employers to determine the numbers of mental health social workers needed in modernised community mental health services.