Workforce Reform
Alongside their statutory partners, VCS organisations play a key role in shaping the policy and commissioning of services to children, young people and families and in delivering vital services in a wide and diverse range of settings and situations (see Every Organisation Matters). Developing the skills, knowledge and expertise of all people working in the VCS is therefore essential in helping to deliver the objectives of Every Child Matters.
In December 2008, the government published the 2020 Children and Young People's Workforce Strategy. This set out the government's vision that everyone who works with children and young people should be:
- Ambitious for every child and young person.
- Excellent in their practice.
- Committed to partnership and integrated working.
- Respected and valued as professionals.
Whatever their role, the aim is to ensure that the workforce has the skills and knowledge to do the best job they possibly can; to help children and young people develop and succeed across all the outcomes which underpin Every Child Matters.
Linked to this, Children Matter East has developed a strategy for developing the workforce of VCS organisations in the East of England - Building a Sector's Future is designed to realise the full potential of the VCS in the region.
In summary, the key areas for workforce development:
The Common Core - the basic skills and knowledge needed by people (including volunteers) whose work brings them into regular contact with children, young people and families. By using a common language, the different professionals should be able to work together more effectively in the interests of children and young people. This will also help to underpin successful integrated working.
Integrated Working - the approach of ensuring that all organisations and individuals supporting children and young people are working together to put the child or young person at the centre, to meet their needs and improve their lives.
Common Assessment Framework (CAF) - a standardised approach to conducting an assessment of a child's additional needs and deciding how those needs should be met. All information including toolkits, guidance, fact sheets and training packages for integrated working are located in the CAF area of the Every Child Matters website.
Information Sharing - a key requirement of the government's goal of delivering better, more efficient public services that are co-ordinated around the needs of the individual. It is essential to enable early intervention and preventative work, for safeguarding and promoting welfare, and for wider public protection. Information sharing is a vital element in improving outcomes for all.
