Diversity isn't always neat - and the out-of-school workforce has often struggled to work within the myriad professional boxes. But things are changing. What was once a limitation to those working in the field is now set to be a major strength. In the drive to build an integrated workforce to meet the challenges of delivering joined-up services, out-of-school workers are way out in front.
The recent Green Paper Every Child Matters sets out the framework for the new integrated children's workforce. The Government has set the agenda for how professions who work with children will encompass many areas, but the real test will be how that translates into the training and qualifications available. The joined-up children's workforce can only become a reality when joined-up thinking leads to joined-up training.
The out-of-school workforce provides a model and a 'joined-up' labour pool which has the potential to lead the integrated workforce into the brave new joined-up world. Integration means bringing together different expertise within a co-ordinated framework - not just making everyone the same. And this is something out-of-school workers have been doing for years.
E-mail Kids' Clubs Network on social.enterprise @kids clubs.org.uk for further information.
