The common core, which describes the skills and knowledge that are required of everyone who works with children and young people, has been refreshed by the CWDC to reflect developments in practice and thinking.
Since its launch in 2005 the common core has increasingly been used in areas such as induction, training, job descriptions and workforce development strategies, although the CWDC recognises there is still more scope for universal usage.
The refresh, based on a wide-ranging consultation including different professional sectors, is intended to ensure that it is up-to-date and relevant, and better equipped to underpin the work of everyone who works with children, young people and families.
FOR THE WHOLE WORKFORCE
While the refreshed core of six areas of skills and knowledge for 2010 remains broadly the same, there are renewed texts to strengthen areas including the following:
Online safeguarding
The guidance now requires an understanding of the wider ways in which children may be harmed - for example, 'by other children and young people, by a single event or ongoing maltreatment, through the internet and other media, or by their own risk-taking behaviour'.
Practitioners need to 'understand that signs of abuse or neglect can be subtle and can be expressed in play, artwork or online activities, as well as behaviour and the way children approach relationships with other adults and children'.
Integrated working, as well as joint working
Multi-agency working is now more widely referred to as integrated working. The guidance maps skills to early intervention, information sharing, common assessment processes and supporting ICT.
Early intervention and prevention
Guidance is expanded under the 'multi-agency and integrated working' and 'information sharing' sections of the common core. Assertiveness is deemed a useful skill: 'Be proactive, inititiate necessary action and be able to put forward your judgements', it says.
Involving service users, including parents as partners
Under 'child and young person development', the guidance now emphasises that families, parents and carers should be treated as partners and respected for their lead role and responsibility in addressing the specific needs of their child.
Clarifying different types of transitions
Skills have been mapped to a wider definition of transitions that apply to older children, such as moving from primary to secondary school.The term may also be applied to life changes, including death of a relative, divorce and family split, issues relating to sexuality, adoption, the process of asylum, leaving care, teenage pregnancy, disabilities, parental mental health and the consequences of crime.
KEY POINTS
The six areas of expertise in the common core are designed to work as a whole:
- - Effective communication and engagement with children, young people and families
- - Child and young person development
- - Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child or young person
- - Supporting transitions
- - Multi-agency and integrated working
- - Information sharing
