CWDC gets ready to close its doors
Karen Faux
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
On 31 March the Children's Workforce Development Council will close and the DfE's Teaching Agency will continue its work with early years.
CWDC was formed in 2005 with a remit to strengthen the children’s workforce through improved qualifications and skills, increased support for employers and wider integrated working.
In 2010 it was announced that it would lose its funding and its status as a Non-departmental Public Body.
Early years teaching and EYPS
The Teaching Agency is the new executive agency of the DfE, carrying responsibility for ensuring the supply of teachers, training and teacher regulation. It will deliver policy for teachers and instructors, those working in early years, classroom-based school support staff, special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs), educational psychologists and examination officers.
Its key areas of responsibility will be the supply and retention of the workforce, overseeing the quality of the workforce, and regulation of teacher conduct. The agency will also fulfil sector body responsibilities with regard to staff who support teaching and learning.
Early Years Professional Status will fall within the remit of the Teaching Agency from April onwards, and the agency will also oversee the New Leaders in Early Years scheme, qualifications and standards, and sector endorsed foundation degrees in early years.
Social work
From April 2012 the CWDC social work support programme will also transfer to DfE and form part of the Safeguarding Group. A programme of work will continue which continues to assist employers with recruitment and retention of social workers.
The DfE’s Social Work Workforce Team will oversee areas of social work formerly handled by CWDC including training programmes, and professional development and support.
Sector leadership in the area of disability will be handled by the DfE Children, Young People’s and Families Directorate.
The leadership of integrated working will be taken up by the Children’s Improvement Board, in partnership with the DfE.
Some staff based at the Leeds headquarters are moving to the DfE, and will be helping with the transition of key areas.
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