Work-based Learning in the Public Sector: 4 th Nov Working Together: The Common Core Delphine Garr Workforce Development & Learning Manager Alexandra Burghardt Head of Health, Education and Social Care, Barnet College

Barnet Barnet The second largest borough in London Strong partnership working Approximately 20,000 in the childrens workforce across the partnership

Enhances skills of the workforce Creates greater flexibility for career progression Promotes common language and purpose Embeds integration Builds mutual trust and respect Improves outcomes for service users Children and young people value it Why Common Core?

The Common Core Elements Effective Communication and engagement Child and young person development Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child Supporting transitions Multi-agency working Sharing information

Views from Children (1) …Patience and listening skills and has to be friendly. They have to like children and be trustworthy because a child might tell them a secret They need patience, skill and kindness. They also need to have qualifications to have these jobs

Views from Children (2) These people need all the skills real parents have like being able to cook, clean, work, tidy, be there for the child, be strict but fair, be nice, don't spoil the child and not to cause physical or verbal abuse They should be willing to work with others even if others are depressed or angry. They have to love their jobs and be very tolerant.

Involving Young People Leaving Care Importance of payment & training for young people Ongoing support I was sort of surprised… they really listened to what we had to say I have a feeling they will take on board what we said…

Whats in it for the Workforce? Acknowledgement of prior learning Facilitates flexible career pathways Continuous professional development Transferable credits for further study Demonstrates substantial level of learning in its own right

Quotes from staff who attended I really just felt quite inspired by them…that is the first time I have been on a training course where I have heard young people speak I think it was really good to hear from young people first hand, their own experiences… as opposed to talking about it as some kind of case study…

The Accreditation Process Consulted the workforce Consulted our children and young people Worked with our partners: Middlesex University Barnet College Health PVI sector Successful collaboration resulted in meaningful recognition of prior learning.

Approach to Training Programme Multi-agency training at both levels In-depth one-day training courses on the six areas of expertise (Certificate Level) Half-day workshops for professionally qualified (Graduate Level) Materials developed to support programme.

How the Accreditation Works Accredited at two levels by Middlesex University: Certificate Level: 60 credits Graduate Level: 30 credits Certificate Level delivered by Barnet College CATS points transferable and valid for five years

Progression Routes Varied opportunities at each level Common Induction Standards Linked into PQ for social workers Early Years Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies Foundation Degree Foundation Degree in Integrated Youth Work and Support Valid prior learning for EYPS

The heart of it…. Common Core Skills Effective Practice Improved Workforce Skills Quality service delivery for children, young people and families

What is the Take-Up Like? Programme started in January 2007 Take up is gaining momentum Total trained (April 07 – to date): Certificate level: 1157 Graduate Level: 385

Certificate Level Take-Up

Graduate Level Take-Up

Certificate Level Distribution

Graduate Level Distribution

What have been the challenges? Common Core not mandatory Competing CPD programmes across the workforce Low levels of publicity Initially too frequent Accreditation level confusing Lack of time to attend training

Next Steps Deepen partnership between all stakeholders across the Childrens workforce Continue on-going delivery of programme Increase publicity for programme Implement findings of evaluation project with IDeA.