New sector skills umbrella body confirmed

A new UK-wide sector skills council for all social care
professionals has been confirmed by the government in its response
to the children’s green paper, writes Amy
Taylor.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be free to develop
operational arrangements under the new Sector Skills Council for
Social Care, Children and Young People in line with their own
policies.

But in England, the government proposes a split between adult
and children’s social care professionals. A children, young
people and families council would be set up to ensure a coherent
approach to workforce planning for children’s social care
professionals, while an adult care council evolved from social care
training body Topss England would deal with those working in adult
social services.

The government’s response states that new SSC would “build
on” the developing proposals for the Skills for Care sector
skills council covering the whole of social care being led by the
Topss UK Partnership. It will receive its operational licence this
April.

A UK Children’s Workforce Network linking all of the children’s
workforce is also proposed in the government’s response. This will
include those working in health, law enforcement and schools.