Leadership and management

Following extensive stakeholder consultations early in 2006, CWDC published a set of induction standards, together with supporting materials for those working with children, young people and families.

CWDC induction standards

These standards set out what new workers should know, understand and be able to do within six months of starting work. They are now mandatory for the children's social care workforce and can be used successfully for other roles too.

We are particularly pleased to have been able to reflect what children and young people have told us is most important to them about the people who work with them.

CWDC Training and Development Standards for Foster Carers

The CWDC induction standards were then further developed specifically for new workers in the foster care field becoming the Training & Development Standards for Foster Carers.

Induction standards field testing

In 2007-08 CWDC piloted a roll-out of the induction standards across four additional occupations in the children's workforce:

• Early years
• Connexions personal advisers
• Learning mentors
• Educational welfare officers.

The integrated working and social care teams also worked together to support field testing of the CWDC Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers. Fifteen sites took part in the field testing, with three sites testing an integrated approach to induction across more than one occupational area.

The summary report from the field testing is available to download by clicking on the links below:

CWDC induction standards field testing - summary report

Case studies

CWN has developed a set of case studies to highlight good induction practices across a range of services.

CWN good practice induction case studies [Word - 283 Kb]

Plans for 2009

The Children's Workforce Network with CWDC has developed a set of visions and principles for induction for all those who work with children, young people and families in England.

The CWN Vision and Principles for Induction to the Children and Young People's Workforce are the first step towards a common understanding and direction on induction for the children and young people's workforce. They establish an expectation that everyone in the workforce should have an induction based on the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce (the Common Core), tailored appropriately to their role and setting. For more information visit http://www.childrensworkforce.org.uk/induction.

CWDC is also looking at ways to ensure that these induction standards are compatible with the Integrated Qualifications Framework (IQF), ensuring they are relevant and fit for purpose with other parts of the children's workforce.

All of our induction materials, including workbooks and training materials are currently being reviewed as a result of the field testing project. An updated version of the workbook will appear on this website in Summer 2009, and further training and guidance materials will follow during the Autumn. If you require a back issue of one of our induction publications - e.g. workbooks or guidance please email us.