The Scottish Government

THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING GROUP

The Education and Training Group has an exciting and challenging task ahead of it to develop a national training strategy for the social services workforce.

Thinking so far has focused on how to develop the strategy and what it must include in order to provide a framework that can be taken forward by all those who have an interest in the education, training and development of the workforce. The Group has identified the need to pull together information about relevant work that is already taking place in Scotland and elsewhere. It will also be looking at how it can draw on the activities of the other two groups to inform its thinking.

The intention is to draft the strategy by spring 2004. The draft will then be widely circulated for consultation to ensure that it addresses the needs of, and is relevant to, the sector as a whole.

Contactcarole.wilkinson@sssc.uk.com or phone 01382 207101

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL WORKFORCE GROUP?

The National Workforce Group was set up by Scottish Ministers to provide cohesion and strategic direction for the development of the social services workforce of the future.

The Group will develop a national strategy and action plan for the social services workforce in line with changes in the labour market and the wider economic environment and will advise Ministers on priorities.

There are three core streams of activity, each to be driven forward by a working group:

• developing a national training and education strategy across the sector;
• building workforce and labour market information and intelligence that can be effectively applied; and
• promoting excellence in organisational development and human resource management.

The members of the National Workforce Group are Euan Robson, Deputy Minister for Education & Young People (Chair); Kate Vincent, Social Work Services Inspectorate, Scottish Executive; Val Cox, Early Education and Childcare, Scottish Executive; Morag Alexander, Scottish Social Services Council; Sandy Cameron, Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education; Alan Dickson, Capability Scotland; Romy Langland, Aberlour Childcare Trust; Duncan MacAulay, ADSW; Cllr Kingsley Thomas, Chair of COSLA Workforce Task Group; David Wiseman, Care Commission; Mike Kirby, STUC; Carole Wilkinson, Chair of Education & Training Group; Alistair Gaw, Chair of Workforce Intelligence Group; Laura Simpson, Chair of HR Development Group; and Marie Climson, Social Work Services Inspectorate, Scottish Executive.

WORKFORCE INTELLIGENCE GROUP

The Workforce Intelligence Group has two aims:

• to make available comprehensive and up-to-date information on the social care workforce in Scotland; and
• to apply the information to analyse trends and create intelligence to support workforce development across the sector.

The unit has produced analysis for the Chief Inspector of Social Work's annual report and in the spring we will publish an economic study of the social care labour market in Scotland. We are also working in partnership with employers to improve the efficiency of data collection and with the Care Commission and the Scottish Social Services Council to generate new data across the whole sector. In the summer we will produce an economic model to improve forecasting of future demand.

The work of the Group will help employers and others accurately describe and monitor the workforce (numbers, turnover, characteristics) and inform the development of the national training strategy, policy and investment decisions.

Contactalistair.gaw@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or phone 0131 244 4231

The SW/HR Network

The HR Development Group is setting up a network to disseminate new learning and to promote and secure excellent practice. This network will provide HR and Social Work managers with an ongoing means for exchanging detailed information on HR issues in the social services sector. To join, please emailmarie.climson@scotland.gsi.gov.ukwith your details or phone Marie on 0131 244 3641.

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The HR Development Group is developing proposals to promote excellence in organisational development and human resource management. We hope to ensure that more employers have the support and the capacity to be excellent employers of social work or social care staff. As we explore how good HR practices might be adopted and adapted by more and more employers, we aim to see:

• HR processes improve across the sector;
• staff recruitment and retention indicators move positively, consolidating the promising beginnings which are now starting to be felt in the sector;
• the image of the sector continue its current upward trajectory; and
• more organisations - both big and small - achieve external accreditation and awards.

Contactlaura.simpson@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or phone 01224 664 021