XN000022-1973-01-18 — Page 2

Thursday, January 18, 1973

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING

Green Light For First Of White Paper's Major Proposals

The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council last night

approved the financial implications of the Social Welfare Department's

Institute for Social Work Training

so giving the green light to the

first of the major proposals in the draft white paper on social welfare

development.

The Institute is expected to receive its first students in

September this year, and the period between now and then will be devoted

to recruiting a Principal and staff, the design and preparation of courses,

and the selection of students.

Mr. T.S. Heppell, Assistant Director (General), Social Welfare

Department, today welcomed the Government's decision.

"There has been a general welcome for the proposal in the white

paper to establish an Institute," he said. "What we have to concentrate on

now is making sure that it will be ready on time.

"We have a tight timetable to keep to, and all those involved

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will have to work fast.

"But the implementation of the other white paper proposals requires

trained workers, so that it is all the more important that we achieve what

we are setting out to do."

Overall responsibility for the Institute rests with the Director

of Social Welfare, assisted by the Advisory Committee on Social Work

Training. The Principal will become an ex officio member of the Committec.

The Committee