Children’s workforce strategy published

Proposals to boost the children’s workforce were yesterday
launched by the government in its eagerly-anticipated strategy,
writes Sally Gillen.

Under plans contained in the Children’s Workforce
Strategy, published by the Department for Education and Skills,
councils will be expected to draw up a local workforce
strategy.

Children’s services directors will be expected to take
lead responsibility for a local workforce strategy that will
involve carrying out an analysis of the local labour market.

Strategies, which will be drawn up jointly with other
children’s trusts partners, will be required to deal with
issues such as offering work taster opportunities.

They must also include:

Paul Ennals

• programmes to support career progression

• induction training for all new recruits on the common core
of skills

• knowledge and training for development to support the
introduction of a lead professional role.

Nationally, the DFES and the Children’s Workforce
Development Council will develop a single qualifications framework
that will allow people to move from one job to another more
easily.

The government also plans to have an early year’s
professional in all of the 3,500 planned children’s centres
by 2010 and in every day setting by 2015.

Chief executive of the National Children’s Bureau Paul
Ennals said: “The Children’s Workforce Strategy is a
vital step in creating joined up services that meet the needs of
children and families, and ensuring the success of the
government’s Every Child Matters agenda.”