CWDC consults on common core of children’s services skills

By Corin Williams on August 4, 2009 in Child safeguarding, Children, Looked after children

The Children’s Workforce Development Council has launched a review of the common core of skills for people working with children and young people.

The common core, non-statutory guidance released by the government in 2006 as part of the Every Child Matters initiative, sets out the basic skills and knowledge needed by people who regularly work with children. It is used by employers for the development of job descriptions, training programmes and workforce development strategies.

Ahead of a new version of the common core to be published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in March next year, the CWDC is asking social workers and other practitioners to give their views.

CWDC’s review includes an online consultation, focus groups and stakeholder engagement groups. Practitioners have until October to respond.

Deirdre Quill, CWDC director of workforce reform and regions, said: “Effective use of the common core across the children’s workforce, including induction, supervision and qualifications, is vital to the success of an integrated children and young people’s workforce.

“Practitioners, children, young people and their families are the very best people to tell us how to refresh it, as the common core will be such an important part of their everyday lives.”

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