Mark Parkinson circulated 3 papers relating to Wirral’s Children’s Workforce strategy.  He outlined the background to this work, which has resulted from the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) framework and the DCSF Children and Young People’s Workforce Strategy.  It had been agreed that following the introduction of the strategy and framework we must develop a strategy and priorities for delivery across Wirral and this is our Statement of Intent.  This has been a complicated task to co-ordinate across all staff working with children.  A lot of work has been done on developing training programmes but a strategy was needed to do joint training.  Wirral’s strategy seeks to ensure that all people working with children and young people have the best possible personal and professional development, knowledge and skills, behaviours and aptitudes, support and advice.

The report highlights what children and young people want and who makes up the children’s workforce.  We are currently focussing on the core workforce who work entirely with children.  The CWDC have an on-line self-assessment tool which has been used to work out where our Trust is up to on developing one children’s workforce and inform our priorities.  There is a need to make a commitment to the strategy at all levels, from partners down to individuals and an expectation that everyone will engage.  Key priorities have been identified, in particular:

·  Complete the Wirral Children’s Workforce strategy

·  Gain agreement on the overall framework and Statement of Intent with the Children’s Trust

·  Further develop of key programmes in conjunction with partner providers:

-  Common induction programme

-  Leadership and Management

A draft Framework of Entitlement and Progression has also been produced which looks at the next steps in professional development.

Bev Morgan noted that there were not the same opportunities for training and development in the voluntary sector as in others and Hazel Thompson felt it would be difficult for her to implement this.  Tina Long commented that this was a stunning piece of work and from a commissioning perspective should be put into contracts for providers.  Hazel Thompson noted when tenders are made budgets do not cover the 10% management costs.  Howard Cooper replied that the Children’s Trust needs to be a fully commissioning body so could agree to build in workforce requirements.

Simon Fitzpatrick noted that this was an excellent piece of work.  The Police are currently working with John Moores on Safer Schools partnerships and he would take this back and identify someone to liaise with the Board.

Richard Longster asked how a common induction programme would be developed across parties.  Mark Parkinson replied that this was at the development stages and would be piloted over the spring term.  He added that there was a resource pack and materials to support induction.

Andy Styring asked how the strategy could be put into practice.  They are being inspected next week and Children’s Trust mandatory training would have to meet the standard.  Hazel Thompson noted that Higher Education courses were expensive and asked if the Trust would think about having places for the voluntary sector.  Howard Cooper replied that this could be considered.

Cllr Davies suggested that the Board approve the strategy but it should be reviewed by the Trust again.  Attention should be given to Section 2 as this listed the commitments being made by the Children’s Trust.  Tina Long asked for an electronic copy to be made available.  Hazel Thompson requested a membership list of organisations in the Children’s Trust.

The Board approve the strategy.