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Early years and childcare workforce in Scotland
National review of the early years and childcare workforce in Scotland
The Scottish Executive has recently launched the ‘National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce’ in Scotland. This Review was announced by the Minister for Children and Young People, Peter Peacock in June 2004, and aimed to improve employment opportunities for early years and childcare staff, whilst raising the status of the sector in Scotland. The Scottish Social Services Council will take the lead on the implementation of this plan.
The final report, which is currently open for consultation until December 2006, outlines 5 key findings which will have an impact on the Early Years and Childcare Sector in Scotland.
- Development of a single, shared framework which encompasses all of the diverse roles and responsibilities of the early years and childcare workforce
- Development of lateral and vertical career pathways to enable individuals to move more easily across sector boundaries
- Development of one Qualifications Framework for the whole Early Years and Childcare sector, to be completed by October 2007. (The report states that managers should now hold a degree, with practioners requiring a Level 4 SVQ and support workers, a Level 3 SVQ)
- Need to recruit and retain staff
- Need for consistent and integrated workforce planning
This Review covers many of the themes echoed in SkillsActive’s UK Strategy for Playwork, Education, Training and Qualifications 2006-2011, such as the development of coherent career pathways, an integrated qualifications strategy, recruitment and retention of staff and improved cross sector working with links to workforce planning strategies.
The full report and the Scottish Executive’s response is available by clicking on the links below:
For further information or if you would like to comment on the review please contact Phil Ford, Programme manager children and young People (Scotland), SkillsActive Scotland on 0131 226 6618 or by email Philip.ford@skillsactive.com.
