Workforce Development
Introduction to Workforce Reform
Why workforce reform? is an information sheet created by NCVYS to explain to leaders and managers why workforce reform has come about and what it is to help them realise why they should take note of this important work.
National bodies delivering work to support the sector implement workforce reform
NCVYS has created an information sheet >> Summary of national bodies connected to workforce development. Do you ever get confused about all the different agencies and bodies who in some shape or form are involved in work to support the development of the voluntary and community youth sector's workforce? NCVYS has created a diagram and table to help dispel any confusion and to enable the sector to make contact with the most relevant support.
Youth Workforce Reform
The ten year youth strategy launched on 26 July 2007 by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, announced a series of youth workforce reform measures via a youth workforce development programme (£25 million), in order to raise the quality of the youth workforce. For further details >> Youth Workforce Reform
Children's Workforce Strategy
The Children's Workforce Strategy: Building a World-Class Workforce for Children, Young People and Families, originally published in 2005, is applicable to the children, young people and families' sector, therefore VCYS employers need to take note of the key initiatives available as a result of the strategy. The Children's Workforce Action Plan, which outlines the plans of the Children's Workforce Strategy from April 2008, is due early in 2008.
A summary of the Strategy produced by NCVYS can be downloaded in PDF format >> Strategy summary
External resources: The full national strategy and Spring 2007 update 'Refresh' can be ordered by phone from the DCSF Orderline on 0845 6022260 or downloaded from the ECM website >> Every Child Matters - Children's Workforce Strategy
Documents entitled:
- 'Children's Workforce Strategy: Building a World-Class Workforce for Children, Young People and Families - The Government's Response to the Consultation' (2005)
- 'Children's Workforce Strategy: Update - Spring 2007'
Sharing practice: CWDC web-site page providing case study examples of emerging local practice in workforce development. The sharing practice web page signposts you to the practice information of how the VCS has used the Workforce Strategy Partners Programme (WSPP) funding to engage the sector in local workforce development activity.
The key initiatives are as follows:
Safeguarding - Local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCB)
Safeguarding - New vetting and barring scheme
Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce
Building an Integrated Qualifications Framework
Induction Standards
Safeguarding - Local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCB)
Safeguarding children and young people and supporting their welfare is a priority within the ECM Change for Children Programme. Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places a statutory duty on key people and bodies to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Children's Trusts have responsibility to establish multi-agency LSCBs in every local authority area. These should sit within local Children's Trust arrangements and VCS representation is expected. The LSCBs have responsibility for developing policies and procedures for safeguarding including in relation to training for staff and volunteers working with children and young people.
In London, the London Safeguarding Children Board offers strategic advice and supports the work of the capital's 32 borough-based LSCBs. It recently published Competence Matters: A multi-agency safeguarding children training framework for London, which aims to offer a framework for local safeguarding training strategies and programmes. Although London-based, this document offers a comprehensive framework for training staff and volunteers at all levels of use to any LSCB and organisation involved in safeguarding children and young people.
External resources: For more information on legislation and government policies and strategies concerning safeguarding of children and young people link to the safeguarding children pages of the ECM web-site.
For a list of current initiatives including a downloadable PDF version of 'Competence Matters' link to the London Safeguarding Children Board index page
Safeguarding - New vetting and barring scheme
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 lays the foundation for a new scheme which aims to help avoid harm, or risk of harm, to children and vulnerable adults. The scheme will aim to do this by preventing those who are deemed unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults from gaining access to them through their work. This will be done by:
Providing employers with a more effective and streamlined vetting service for potential employees
Barring unsuitable individuals from working, or seeking to work, with children and vulnerable adults at the earliest opportunity
The new scheme will be phased in from autumn 2008. The responsibility for taking barring decisions under the new arrangements (previously referred to as the Vetting and Barring Scheme) will lie with a new Independent Safeguarding Authority, which will be an independent statutory body. The application processes for decisions will be run by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
External resources: Every Child Matters >> Independent Safeguarding Authority
Building an Integrated Qualifications Framework
Part of the children's workforce reform programme involves the development of an Integrated Qualifications Framework (IQF). This aims to address the current complicated and confusing range of qualifications and assessment & accreditation requirements. The IQF will make it easier to see what qualifications and progression routes are available within and across the children and young people's workforce.
The IQF will have four main purposes:
Support for a better qualified, more competent workforce
Enable individuals to develop rewarding careers by creating flexible pathways between different kinds of work settings (thereby improving retention)
Support managers in determining appropriate teams and individual roles within services
Support employers' reviews of organisational structures and simplify reward packages and progression routes
Work on developing the IQF is at an early stage and is being led by the CWDC, in conjunction with the Children's Workforce Network (CWN). The final framework is planned to be in place by 2010 and will be based on design principles that:
Reflect revised National Occupational Standards that incorporate the Common Core of Skills & Knowledge
Recognise and accredit core and specialist skills and knowledge
Support work-based routes to higher education
Support accreditation of prior learning and experience
Are future-proofed, accrediting competence in roles independent of service delivery model
Support post-qualification professional development
Support community-based learning and accreditation
External resources: Children's Workforce Development Council >> Integrated Qualifications Framework
Also, a slide presentation by Frances Wheldon, IQF Project Manager to NCVYS members in October 2007 and issues/questions raised by delegates are available to download.