Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 6:45 pm on 22 June 2000.

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Photo of Baroness Hollis of Heigham Baroness Hollis of Heigham Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Social Security 6:45, 22 June 2000

My Lords, I understood that that was the purpose of Committee stage. However, we can possibly take up this argument through the usual channels. It was the choice of the Members opposite.

On the more substantive point, I am not aware that Bills usually specify the level of training for the staff employed by the Government. I can give assurances. I can give descriptions. But one does not put on the face of the Bill the fact that every CSA inspector will receive this amount of training, as the noble Baroness suggests. What would happen if one wanted to increase it, reduce it or change it? It is quite inappropriate for this kind of measure to be dealt with as an amendment on the face of the Bill.

We know that it takes about six months for CSA staff to be fully trained and become properly effective. In addition, specialist roles, such as child support inspectors, require extra training focused on specific skills and knowledge. The officers are of at least executive officer grade. They have a wealth of interviewing experience behind them. Before they undertake their duties as inspectors of the CSA, they must attend appropriate courses, including a course on conducting interviews under caution and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. This course also deals with what is considered to be "obstruction" of inspectors in the course of their duties. They will also have had experience of dealing with potentially aggressive situations and a knowledge of interviewing and negotiating skills.

We consider that the current training programme is sufficient for part-time inspectors. However, we are developing a full training needs analysis, which will be carried out as part of the preparation for and development of the new scheme. This analysis will take account of revised job design and more effective use of child support inspectors' powers and will ensure that an appropriate level of training is delivered in all cases. We are seeking to work in partnership with other departments, such as the Inland Revenue, in order to benefit from their experience and knowledge. We shall carry out training and we shall conduct a training needs analysis to ensure that our inspectors receive complete and appropriate training, because we obviously want the scheme to succeed.

As a result, I hope that the noble Baroness will recognise that this amendment is not an appropriate matter for the face of the Bill. It is appropriate to the internal organisation and training patterns of an agency in terms of its operational deployment of staff. With that explanation, I hope that the noble Baroness will feel able to withdraw her amendment.