title: Staff shortages in the mental health workforce: the case of the disappearing approved social worker.
abstract: 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 ASW's 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.
authors.affiliation: lnstitute of Psychiatry and Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huxley
authors.forename: Sherrill
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gately
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D012947:Social Work / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce