Research reports

Research reports

Reports:

Use of Team Around the Child (TAC) model for the 11-14 year age group

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) commissioned Social Information Systems (SiS) Ltd to conduct this study of Team Around the Child (TAC) practices and models in relation to children aged 11-14. The purpose of the study was to examine the progress of implementing the TAC model in relation to this age group, the differing needs and characteristics of using TAC with young people and the realities, challenges and skills involved in using the TAC with 11-14 year olds. The executive summary and full report are available below:

• Executive Summary - Use of Team Around the Child (TAC) model for the 11-14 year age group [PDF - 37KB]
• Final Report - Use of Team Around the Child (TAC) model for the 11-14 year age group [PDF - 1.3MB]

Research into the composition, needs and aspirations of the nanny workforce in England

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC), in partnership with Voice the Union and the National Childminding Association (NCMA), commissioned the Social Issues Research Centre to undertake some original research to investigate the composition, needs and aspirations of the nanny workforce in England.

• The composition, needs and aspirations of the nanny workforce in England - full report [PDF - 900 Kb]

The impact of workforce reform

CWDC commissioned the Centre for Research into Childhood (CRinCh) and the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University to examine the evidence of the effectiveness of workforce reform. A report on their work and an accompanying annotated bibliography are available to view below.

• Annotated bibliography

• Review of the evidence

Gypsies, travellers and showpeople 

We commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) exploring issues around, and approaches to, working with Travellers, Irish Travellers, Gypsies, Roma and Showpeople, and the support, training and other programmes available to staff involved. The project is intended to contribute to the CWDC’s ability to support and develop the children’s workforce. The main aim of the project was to conduct a literature review and supplementary investigation of the range of issues around and approaches to working with Travellers, Irish Travellers, Gypsies, Roma and Showpeople, and the support, training and other programmes available to staff involved. The full report, literature review and an annotated bibliography are available below.

• Annotated bibliography
• Literature review
• Full Report

Report on the state of the children and young people's social care workforce

We commissioned David Mellor (Independent Consultant) to draw together the main statistical information available for the children's social care workforce. This includes key data on the different occupational groups, the numbers employed and their characteristics.

The State of the children's Social care workforce report is the first review of its kind to be created by CWDC. It complements a similar publication from Skills for Care which focuses on the adult social care workforce (Skills for Care, 2008). Used together, these reports create a more defined picture of the social care workforce in England. The report and the executive summary are available to download below.

• The state of the children's social care workforce 2008
• The state of the children’s social care workforce 2008 summary report

Cross sector scoping study of family support workers in the children’s workforce

This scoping study is one of three linked pieces of work commissioned by CWDC as the first stage in mapping out a programme of research on the child and family workforce. In commissioning the study, we intend to acknowledge and highlight the importance of those members of the workforce who support parents and carers in their vital role, highlighted by Every Child Matters (ECM) as crucial in ensuring positive outcomes for children.

• Family support workers literature review

Summary of literature reviews

• Summary completed literature reviews - July 2007

Getting to work: Creating relevant and sustainable employment opportunities for looked after children in the north west

The north west region of England is made up of 22 local areas and they all have an agreed vision of creating relevant and sustainable employment opportunities for looked after children (LAC) within the region. We commissioned the University of Central Lancaster to conduct a review of similar initiatives and the potential and implementation of the one based in the north west.

• Getting to work full report 2008

Establishing a model for estimating the number of volunteers within the CWDC 'footprint'

We commissioned Social Information Systems Ltd to undertake a piece of work exploring the ways in which the number of volunteers within CWDC's footprint could be estimated more clearly. The summary report is available to download below.   

This piece of work has highlighted the complexities involved in constructing a profile of the volunteers within our footprint. CWDC therefore plans to undertake more work in this area which will build upon this report. 

• Volunteers within the CWDC footprint - summary report 2009

 Newly qualified social workers

In early 2008 we consulted with newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) working with children, young people and their families, as well as with employers of NQSWs and representatives of higher education institutions (HEIs) who provided training courses. The consultation informed the development of a pilot programme to support NQSWs launched by CWDC in September 2008. 

• A report on consultations with newly qualified social workers, employers and those in higher education - January 2009

Evaluation of the career developments of early years professionals (EYPs)

CWDC and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) collaborated over a research project which investigated the early impact of Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

A sample of Early Years Professionals (EYPs) and their employers were interviewed, either face to face or over the telephone, about their experiences around six months after EYPS had been achieved.

The project focused on the role of the EYPS workers, and how the status has impacted on their career prospects. A number of areas, including additional responsibilities, career progression, and recognition of EYPS among other professionals, were looked at closely to identify successes and highlight areas that needed improvement.

A summary report and response from CWDC are available below.

• Evaluation of the career developments of early years professionals (EYPs) - summary report
• CWDC response to the EYPS - summary report

Using occupational summary sheets to map workforce intelligence data

A pilot study has been carried out in four regions (East England, East Midlands, South East, and Yorkshire and the Humber) to obtain a clearer picture of the availability of regional information for the occupational groups for which CWDC is responsible, across public, private and voluntary sectors. We call these groups our 'footprint'.

The findings support work to improve workforce intelligence for the children's workforce in relation to one of five priorities set out in our sector skills agreement - 'Delivering the big deal'.

The report looks at data sources and suggests ways forward to tackle the data gaps that have been identified within the pilot.

The full report is available below.

• Using OSS to map key workforce intelligence data - full report