Workforce development tools

The SfC&D partnership has developed, and continues to build on a wide range of practical tools and products to support effective workforce development, and safeguard those who use our services. These are tailored to reflect and meet the requirements of national policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as meeting the needs of employers. Some examples of these can be found below:

In Scotland…

Planning and Organising for Workforce Development [opens in a new window]
This area contains a range of materials to support employers and employees in planning and organising for workforce development, including: Workforce Planning materials, Induction elearning & guidance, a career development toolkit and a learning planning framework

Planning a Career in Social Services [opens in a new window]
This area contains information and guidance to help you plan your career in social services. It has dedicated careers pathways resources for Care and Support Services and Early Years and Childcare. It also has links to our career development toolkit

NOS Navigator [opens in a new window]
NOS Navigator is a simple, easy to use tool to help you find your way around the national occupational standards for the social service sector in Scotland and find the units you need for your SVQ.

For more information on any of the above, please click on the links provided, or visit Workforce solutions [opens in a new window]

In Wales…

Codes of Practice [opens in a new window]
The Codes of Practice set out agreed professional standards which apply to all social care employers and those working in the social care profession in Wales. Signing up to the Codes of Practice is a condition of acceptance on to the Wales Register of Social Care Workers.

They All Speak English Anyway [opens in a new window]
'They All Speak English Anyway' is a modern training resource which discusses the importance of language awareness in bilingual Wales. It has been developed as a CD Rom for a training facilitator, but it also provides extensive information and valuable reflection opportunities for individuals' who can use the resource for individual study. The aim of the training resource is to raise the awareness and understanding of social care workers of language needs and how to respond positively to these. To access this, and other tools addressing the issue of bilingualism in Wales, please contact bilingualism@ccwales.org.uk

Workforce in Wales: 2010 [opens in a new window]
In 2005 the Care Council published a new report looking at posts and qualifications of people working in early years and childcare services in Wales. The Early Years and Childcare Workforce Wales 2010 report provides an update on the current situation. While the research has aimed to replicate the original project, this report not only provides an updated assessment but a comparison with 2005 to provide a measurement of progress across the sector and an insight into current issues around training, qualifications, recruitment and retention.

In England…

Common Core Principles for supporting people with dementia [opens in a new window]
New Common Core Principles for supporting people with dementia have been launched to develop a workforce that will respond confidently to the person with dementia and support the life they want to lead. The new framework has been designed jointly with Skills for Health and the Department of Health to be adapted and used flexibly according to the specific needs of any organisation's workforce.
"With projections of up to 1.7 million people with dementia by 2051, then it is critical we develop a confident adult social care workforce which has the capability and skills to offer high quality support to those people and their families," says SfC&D Board Member Sharon Allen.

Safer recruitment online training [opens in a new window]
All organisations in England that work with or provide services for children and families have a duty to protect their welfare. If you recruit paid staff or volunteers into the children and families workforce then you should take the safer recruitment training. Become more confident in the skills needed to recruit safely, and visit the e-learning portal to register now.

Skills for life - a practical guide for employers [opens in a new window]
'Skills for life' is the government strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy in England. It covers:

  • Numeracy (understanding, calculating and using mathematical information)
  • Literacy (reading, writing, listening and speaking in English)
  • ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)
  • Basic ICT skills (information and communications technology)

Skills for Care (SfC&D's delivery partner) is promoting skills for life development across all parts of the adult social care sector in England. We have developed a strategy that outlines the skills for life needs of the adult social care sector, and the actions that Skills for Care will take to address them. Skills for life - a practical guide for employers summarises everything you need to know to get started.

In Northern Ireland…

Induction Standards [opens in a new window]
The NISCC Induction Standards for new social care workers set out the first things a new worker needs to know to allow them to do their job safely and effectively. Completing induction will help build a new worker's confidence and make sure they have the skills and knowledge to succeed in their job. The NISCC Induction Standards will be applicable to all new workers entering the workforce and those changing job roles or employers within their sector - irrespective of their qualification level.

Please note, this is just a small sneak preview of a wealth of tools and solutions we have developed for you. Please contact us on sscinfo@skillsforcareanddevelopment.org.uk, or search our delivery partner websites for access to many more tools and products.

Current development projects include; 

  •  Workforce planning
  • Career pathways
  • Assessment and Evaluation tools
  • The use of mobile technologies in the workforce
  • E learning tools

How to get involved

Please visit the engage with us section of this website to see what the current big issues are, and tell us what you think about them. Or, if you have a good idea and want to share it with us, please email sscinfo@skillsforcareanddevelopment.org.uk