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£1.5 million for voluntary groups
21/12/2007
Care workers across Scotland's voluntary sector are to benefit from more training and development.
The cash will see 64 groups share in the Scottish Government's Voluntary Sector Development Fund to improve staff training and support.
The fund targets support at small and medium sized voluntary organisations which will help their staff meet standards for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram said:
"Our voluntary care workers give crucial support to some of the country's most vulnerable people and we want to help them to continue to improve their skills and qualifications.
"Social care is vital work and voluntary care groups play a key role in complementing the support council staff provide.
"That's why investment in their training is so important and, to strengthen that support, we are making over £1.5 million available to Scottish voluntary organisations this year."
The Voluntary Sector Development Fund has made over £5 million available to voluntary care organisations since 2001. This year £1,566,000 will be made available to 64 organisations.
All care workers, including those in the voluntary sector, are expected to meet the standards for SSSC registration.