(1)    The appropriate Minister has the function of—

(a)    ascertaining what training is required by persons who are or wish to become social care workers;

(b)    ascertaining what financial and other assistance is required for promoting such training;

(c)    encouraging the provision of such assistance;

(d)    drawing up occupational standards for social care workers.

(2)    The appropriate Minister shall encourage persons to take part in courses approved by a Council under section 63 and other courses relevant to the training of persons who are or wish to become social care workers.

(3)    If it appears to the appropriate Minister that adequate provision is not being made for training persons who are or wish to become social care workers, the appropriate Minister may provide, or secure the provision of, courses for that purpose.

(4)    The appropriate Minister may, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Minister considers appropriate—

(a)    make grants, and pay travelling and other allowances, to persons resident in England and Wales, in order to secure their training in the work of social care workers;

(b)    make grants to organisations providing training in the work of social care workers.

(5)    Any functions of the Secretary of State under this section—

(a)    may be delegated by him to the English Council; or

(b)    may be exercised by any person, or by employees of any person, authorised to do so by the Secretary of State.

(6)    Any functions of the Assembly under this section—

(a)    may be delegated by the Assembly to the Welsh Council; or

(b)    may be exercised by any person, or by employees of any person, authorised to do so by the Assembly.

(7)    For the purpose of determining—

(a)    the terms and effect of an authorisation under subsection (5)(b) or (6)(b); and

(b)    the effect of so much of any contract made between the appropriate Minister and the authorised person as relates to the exercise of the function,

Part II of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 shall have effect as if the authorisation were given by virtue of an order under section 69 of that Act and, in respect of an authorisation given by the Assembly, references to a Minister included the Assembly; and in subsection (5)(b) and (6)(b) “employee” has the same meaning as in that Part.