Each Area Team should be able to advise around Community Forums, Grants, LSP theme groups etc. in the area.

North Warwickshire 01827 719 317
Area Manager Martin Gibbins
Localities & Communities Officer: Alistair Rigby
Area Support Officer: Jo Roberts

Nuneaton and Bedworth  024 7637 5700

City and Guilds have produced a useful .pdf brochure which explains how the new Qualifications and Credit Framework will work.

The file is attached.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority went live in January of 2009. It is taking some time to bed itself in but will have a big impact on recruitment and employment practices, whether for a paid position or in a voluntary capacity.

It will work in conjunction with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and be the vetting and barring body.

The legislation makes it an offence for employers (or volunteer managers) to use anyone without an ISA registration number in work with children, young people or vulnerable adults.

New programmes for Leaders and Managers of Services for Young People.

All the details are in the attached portable data file (.pdf)

A new National initiative funded by CWDC. The attachment is an introduction to this.

As the project rolls out, more information will follow.

Initially, everyone who works with children or young people, in whatever capacity, will be expected to contribute to the self-assessment to see where we are and where we need to be moving to.

Common Core of Skills and Knowledge

This article is taken from the Every Child Matters Web site

The Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce sets out the basic skills and knowledge needed by people (including volunteers) whose work brings them into regular contact with children, young people and families. It will enable multi-disciplinary teams to work together more effectively in the interests of the child.

The skills and knowledge are described under six main headings:

Attached is a report sent to the Children's Workforce Development Council in October 2008.

Please feel free to comment.

Attached is a report submitted to the Children's Workforce Development Council on the impact of the Workforce Development Strategy.

Any comments would be welcome.

I am trying to identify any gaps in training for te Children's and Young People's workforce.

I am also aware that across the sectors (statutory, voluntary and private), different constraints operate which make it difficult to access the kind of training you need, or would like for your professional or personal development.

Organisations vary in attitude and approach to training, the amount of money available, the ability to cover staff absences while indertaking training etc.

Attached is a survey covering some of these.

A key element of achieving a world class workforce is a sound workforce development strategy.

The attached strategy has been agreed by the Integrated Working Board, extended services, educational psychologists and numerous other groups within Warwickshire. The next move is for approval by the Children's Trust Board at their next meeting.

The strategy identifies six principles and key themes:

Integrated working

Recruitment

Retention

Leadership and Management

Learning and Development

Quality standards and practice