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(Photograph) - A three-year degree could replace the diploma in social work as the recognised qualification for social workers, a government consultation document is expected to propose next month.

Health minister John Hutton (below) said last week that getting the basic professional training arrangements right will be the cornerstone of the government's quality strategy for social services.

A review of the diploma conducted by J. M. Consulting for the Department of Health "found a need for significant upgrading of several aspects of the qualifying education with greater focus on field experience based on a single national curriculum for social work training".