A SURVEY OF APPROVED SOCIAL-WORK IN ENGLAND AND WALES

A survey of approved social workers (ASWs) was undertaken with local a uthorities in England and Wales, to review the provision and organizat ion of ASW services, and the contribution they make towards the establ ishment and maintenance of a comprehensive mental health service. The findings show some variation in provision which is in itself indicativ e of a variety of factors operating to produce local and regional patt erns of provision. Some of these are related directly to policy decisi ons, others to demographic and geographic variables, while still more are related to team structure, workload demands, and generic/specialis t issues. The future pattern of mental health social work following th e implementation of the NHS and Community Care Act is considered in th e light of the findings from the survey.