Skills for Care & Development praised the module’s bite-sized learning concept as a key learning feature, an approach specifically developed to provide frontline workers with simple ways to create a more joined-up approach in meeting the developmental and support needs of children and their families. The module was devised following a consultation of over 1,000 children and young people’s workforce practitioners and has been shaped and customised to reflect their requirements.

Anne Longfield OBE, CEO of 4Children said:
“The success of the Government’s drive towards renewing children’s services through demanding more coordinated and joined-up working practices depends on the performance and practice of frontline workers – those key deliverers who have daily contact with and access to those families with the greatest support needs. The new approach can only be realised if professionals tasked with delivery receive tailored training that gives a clearer picture of their roles and how they interact in the broader framework of children’s services. 4Children’s consultation of childcare workers provided a range of important insights into support needs amongst frontline workers. The result has been the release of this important tool to put policy into practice and to coordinate services to improve outcomes across the board for children and families.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Children, Families and Schools said:
“The Department welcomes the publication of Integrated Practice which provides an accessible route to developing skills and knowledge in integrated working. Products like these help to support practitioners to contribute to the Every Child Matters: Change for Children agenda and support better outcomes for children, young people and their families.”

Integrated Practice: A Programme of Learning for Early Years and Childcare Practitioners is available to Employers and Local Authorities. For further information, please email info@4Children.org.uk

Notes to Editors

For further information contact Julie Watkins on 020 7522 6928 or email Julie.Watkins@4Children.org.uk

The 4Children Early Years and Childcare Consultation highlighted widespread demands among frontline workers for:

• Clarification over the concept of ‘Shared Vision’ including practical examples, a shared mission statement and clearer definitions for ‘integration’ in the context of children’s services
  Increased clarity over the meaning of ‘signposting‘, particularly with regard to cross-borough integration and partnerships with multi-agency groups
  
• A common language to be used throughout the care professions to reduce confusion and encourage feelings of commonality between early years and childcare workers
  
• Enhanced understanding about the variety of professional roles within the children’s workforce through activities such as job shadowing. This was also identified as crucial in reducing feelings of intimidation when engaging in cross-sector work with professionals perceived to be of a ‘higher status’ 
  
•  Clear protocols on Partnership Working including advice and support on developing partnership agreements and making partnerships a working reality
  
• Training which leads to clear routes to other, more specialist-led, training programmes which could also double up as a good opportunity for sharing practice.

Integrated Practice: A Programme of Learning for Early Years and Childcare Practitioners:

• Is a Level 3, 2-unit training programme designed to support practitioners working in early years and childcare
  
• Is assigned 2 credits on the Qualifications and Credit Framework Test and Trial as part of the employer bite-sized learning project led by the Awarding Body Edexcel
  
• Requires twenty learning hours (10 hours = 1 credit) that have been designed to be a combination of taught and setting based study
  
• This approach and style provides the learner with the opportunity to adopt a reflective practice approach
  
• The practical application aspect of the course is a real strength of the programme – it provides clear links with actual practice and promotes a fuller understanding of integrated working in context.

4Children
4Children is the national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for all children. It aspires to ensure that all children, young people and families have access to a creative, safe and child focused environment, and activities. 4Children provides an information line for parents and childcare professionals with advice and support on all aspects of childcare, including details of out of school clubs in your area. For more information see: www.4Children.org.uk

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