To ask the Minister of Health what proposals he is bringing forward to increase the number of mental health social workers; and under what timescale.

There are a number of initiatives ongoing which will inform future workforce planning.

My department is working on an overall workforce planning strategy for health and social care and social work officials from my department are involved in this.

In addition, my Department is working on a separate social work workforce review which is scoping social work demand in all areas including mental health.

Social work officials are also working on a regional Approved Social Work (ASW) workforce plan which will make a recommendation on ASW numbers.

My Department is also rolling out the new model of multi-disciplinary teams in primary care which includes significant investment in social work staff. While these social workers have a generalist remit, much of their work will involve prevention and early intervention in relation to mental health problems.