Children’s Workforce Development

The Children's Workforce Development Project’s (a.k.a Workforce Strategy Partner’s Programme) is a three year project that is funded by the Children’s Workforce development Council. The project’s remit is to support the involvement and engagement of the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sectors' Children's and Young people's Workforce in the local and regional integrated workforce strategies and to ensure these strategies address and meet the needs of the providers of children's services within these sectors.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland joined forces and funding and the project is delivered across the three areas by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire. The aim is that the project will make a difference across the three areas in terms of workforce development and integrated workforce practices and ultimately impact on improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.

What has been achieved so far

Areas of Work		Outcomes
Creation of database of PVI groups working with children and young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland		Easy dissemination of information to workforc
Creation of Children’s Workforce Matters website to enable easy access to relevant information about training courses, policy initiatives and services available for children and young people and their families		Improved communication with the sector. Click on the link to visit Children’s Workforce Matters
Workforce profile to gain understanding of sector and it’s learning needs		Identification of training needs and barriers. Click here to take part in the 2010 Data Profile Collection. Click here for a summary of the findings from the 2009 data Profile.
Removal of barriers to training		Bespoke training delivered on induction standards and common core to meet needs identified from workforce profile.
Increased representation from PVI organisations feeding into workforce development strategies		Attendance at various workforce development groups
Increased understanding among PVI organisations of Common Core, ECM, CAF, Lead Professional, Integrated Working practices, Induction Standards, Commissioning and Procurement, ISA and Safeguarding		Distribution of training details, information leaflets and training materials e.g. CAF training CD. Free, bespoke training courses and workshops held in first aid, food hygiene, safeguarding, induction standards and commissioning and procurement. Click on the link to find out about Training
Increased involvement of PVI organisations within the safeguarding Children’s Board		Attendance at LSCB safer Recruitment Working group and LSCB Training Sub-Group.

The Future

As we move forward to becoming a world-class children and young people’s workforce in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, the future of the project will be to work with the individual children’s trusts and the voluntary sector to develop a shared understanding and engagement with the One Children’s Workforce Framework and Tool.

Click on the link to find out more about the One Children’s Workforce

To find out more contact Esther Chamberlain (Tel: 0116 2575052 or Email: esther.c@valonline.org.uk)