Directors to lead training strategy

Children’s services directors will be expected to take lead
responsibility for local workforce strategies, under proposals
published by the government this week.

The long-awaited Children’s Workforce Strategy, published by the
Department for Education and Skills, sets out actions to be taken
locally to develop the workforce.

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 programmes to support career progression,
induction training for recruits on the common core of skills and
knowledge, and training for development to support the introduction
of a lead professional role.

Nationally, the Department for Education and Skills and the
Children’s Workforce Development Council will develop a single
qualifications framework that will allow people to move from one
job working with children to another more easily.

National occupational standards for work with children will also be
reviewed by the Children’s Workforce Network.

This has been set up as a partnership whose provisional membership
includes the CWDC, the Teacher Training Agency and the General
Social Care Council.

National Children’s Bureau’s chief executive 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.”