NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
OF SOCIAL
WORKERS IN
EDUCATION

Founded 1884

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Training National Occupational Standards

What are National Occupational Standards?

National Occupational Standards (NOS) define how a skilled and competent worker carries out each function of their job. NOS describe the factors which together can be used to recognise competent performance, and include the values, knowledge, understanding, skills attitudes and actions which underpin successful performance. These descriptions are know as statements of competence.

NOS have been specified for the majority of occupations in the UK including many which fall within the education and social care sector.

National occupational standards are the responsibility of the Sector Skills Councils

(Link to sector skills council website for more detailed information). SSCs are employer-based organisations, linked to government departments for policy direction and support and they act as the gatekeeper for workplace competence. http://www.ssda.org.uk/ssda/default.aspx?page=2 They also have a responsibility to sector development and workforce issues such as skills development, supply and demand. The SSC's are also part of the much wider Children's Workforce Network.

The Sector Skills Council

The four key goals are:

• to reduce skills gaps and shortages
• improve productivity, business and public service performance
• increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce
• improve learning supply including apprenticeships, higher education and National Occupational Standards (NOS).

SSCs provide employers with a unique forum to express the skills and productivity needs that are pertinent to their sector. By coming together as SSCs, employers have:

• greater dialogue with government and devolved administration departments across the UK
• greater impact on policies affecting skills and productivity
• increased influence with education and training partners
• substantial public investment.

All SSCs are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in consultation with Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Together, the SSCs cover approximately 85 per cent of the UK workforce. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) has responsibility for providing cover for those industries that fall outside the SSCs and actively engages with trade unions and professional bodies in this role.

The SSDA is also responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the SSCs.

This is a list of all the Sector Skills Councils, and EWO's come under Skills for Care and Development: Sector - Social Care and Children and Young People. This link lists the contact details for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland http://www.ssda.org.uk/default.aspx?page=16

Children's Workforce Network

Is an alliance committed to creating and supporting a world-class children's workforce in England. The Children's Workforce Network (CWN) is a strategic body, bringing together the relevant Sector Skills Councils (including the Children's Workforce Development Council) and other partners. It is a voluntary grouping of independent partners, who recognise that collaboration will help them to achieve the more effective implementation of their individual and joint roles.

The Network's vision is a children's workforce that:

• Supports integrated and coherent services for children, young people and families
• Remains stable and appropriately staffed, whilst exhibiting flexibility and responsiveness
• Is trusted and accountable, and thereby valued
• Demonstrates high skills, productivity and effectiveness
• Exhibits strong leadership, management and supervision

www.childrensworkforce.org.uk

Other links that may be of interest to you, or even to refresh your memory.

Every Child Matters and workforce strategy

www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/workforcereform/

www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/workforcereform/childrensworkforcestrategy/

Integrated Qualifications Framework

www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/projects/integratedqualificationsframework.htm

www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/resources-and-practice/IG00040/

The Children's Workforce Development Council has direct responsibility for the work of EWOs, Learning Mentors ConnexionsPAs, Social Workers, Education Psychlogists, early years workers and more. For more information on children's workforce development www.cwdcouncil.org.uk.