CWDC Funds Projects to Develop ‘New Types’ of Children’s Services Workers
By News England

The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has announced that as part of the ‘New Types of Worker’ programme, it is funding a range of innovative projects that will help encourage a strategic approach to workforce development.

CWDC has provided funding to five projects which will help develop new ways of working with children and young people and ensure the child is at the centre of all services.  The projects include:

  • Ian Mikardo School, Tower Hamlets: funding of two workers including a ‘Family Mentor’ to engage the parents and carers of children from severely disadvantaged backgrounds to promote positive parenting. The funding will also pay for a worker who will help culture employment opportunities for pupils and parents
  • Thameside Services for Children and Young People: Support for children who are subject to domestic abuse between parents and the delivery of awareness raising sessions in schools about domestic abuse
  • Home-Start UK: A project which will develop a national programme within the organisation to help volunteers acquire relevant qualifications and move into the paid workforce  
  • LB Tower Hamlets in partnership with East London and City Mental Health Trust: Development of two new posts to advocate for and work with children of mental health service users as part of an holistic approach to working with their families.
  • West Sussex County Council: Establishment of a regional workforce development initiative for the Lead Professional role, to include training and work around skills and knowledge

The New Types of Worker programme started in 2003, and in the second phase CWDC became responsible for managing the tenders submitted in relation to developing the children’s part of the social care workforce.

Jane Haywood, Chief Executive of the Children’s Workforce Development Council comments: “CWDC is pleased to be supporting these innovative projects which will help give us a head start in many of our projects relating to the lead professional, integrated working and the Integrated Qualifications Framework.

“These initiatives reflect how through working together and across agencies, the child can be truly placed at the centre of all services. We look forward to seeing the ‘new type of worker’ these projects will create, and CWDC will share the best practice from these projects in due course to help ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people.”