This is the first 2010 edition CWDC News, and the year already promises to deliver challenges and achievements in equal measure.

There have been exciting developments on the training and funding we can offer play workers and outreach practitioners. Both are key groups in the workforce, and we are delighted to support them in building on their skills and knowledge.

Our groundbreaking research into the young people’s workforce has established for the first time the size of this group. More than six million people work with young people across 12 sectors. The report will provide an important steer for us in the reform work we are doing in this area.

You can read more about these and other developments by reading on.

Best wishes,

Jane Haywood
Chief Executive
 

Playwork managers to get fully funded training

This year we are offering 200 funded places on our graduate level leadership and management programme for playwork.

This opportunity is aimed at those whose role requires them to think strategically about playwork as part of integrated children’s services.

We would appreciate your support in disseminating this message to any playwork networks you are involved in.

Visit our website to find out more.
 

'A picture worth millions' - State of the young people’s workforce report

An important piece of research commissioned by CWDC was launched to the media on Thursday 28 January. This will be a useful and informative tool for all colleagues and stakeholders in your region working with young people.

The data collation ‘A picture worth millions’ is the first of its kind to examine the young people’s workforce across all sectors, including the voluntary sector. It also finds that 6.04 million people work with young people in a paid or voluntary role in 55 different occupations and across 12 sectors. This equates to nearly one in seven adults.

View the research or find out more about the young people's workforce reform programme.
 

CWDC to take on responsibility to support the parenting workforce

From 20 March 2010 we will be taking on responsibility for support to those who work with parents from the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners (the parenting academy).

Find out more.

Social work degree applications at new high

Social work degree applications have soared by more than 40% in the last year according to figures released by the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) last week.

Find out more.

A common approach to induction

Achieving a common approach to induction across the children and young people's workforce has been identified as an important goal by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Children's Workforce Network.

The vision and principles for induction as referred to in the 2020 Children and Young People's Workforce Strategy have been developed to provide the tools to plan, execute and evaluate induction activities across all sectors of the workforce.

Find out more.

Do you recruit into the children and young people’s workforce?

All organisations and individuals who work with children and young people, or are involved in providing services for them, have a duty to safeguard and promote their welfare. 

We have developed an e-learning tool and comprehensive safer recruitment guidance for the children and young people’s workforce. The safer recruitment materials consist of modules and information which identifies what abuse is, what recruitment processes should be followed, information on the Vetting and Barring Scheme and the role of the Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguard Authority and how to manage allegations.

Find out more.