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THE vulnerable position of social work education was neglected in the Dearing higher education report, a pressure group claims.

"At a time when the government plans to lay new demands on social workers in social service and criminal justice fields, it must not assume that they can as easily finance their qualifying studies through loans as other students," says a response paper from the Joint University Council representing university social work departments.

A large proportion of social work students are non-standard entrants - often mature students with previous qualifications and experience.