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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.”