Common Core of Knowledge and skills

The DfES has introduced the Common Core of Knowledge and Skills to support the development of a skilled workforce who work with children and families. This fits within workforce strategy – ‘Building a Children’s Workforce’.

The Common Core covers sets out required knowledge and skills to practice at a basic level in six areas;

• Effective communication and engagement
• Child and young person development
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child
• Supporting transitions
• Multi-agency working
• Sharing information

The Common Core reflects a set of common values for practitioners that promote equality, respect diversity and challenge stereotypes.

A number of skills and knowledge are set out under each area, and these have been placed within a (B&NES) 3 tiered Learning and Development Framework, which all agencies via the Integrated Children Services Learning Group (ICSLG) are integrating into their agencies and matching existing and future training courses/learning opportunities to the framework.

All practitioners working with children and their families are expected to work towards achieving each of the Common Core of Knowledge and Skills as relevant to their job. Tier 1 skills and knowledge represents the essential requirements for all who work with children and families, whilst tier 2 and 3 are knowledge and skills that practitioners should be working toward or are required for particular professions and jobs.

More information on the Common Core can be found on the Every Child Matters Website – www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

Following each course outline in this brochure you will find listed the Common Core of Knowledge and Skills covered by the course. Some of the courses provide for skills and knowledge across 2 or 3 tiers. Please note that individual courses will not contain all of the knowledge and skills but that many are met over a number of courses, in part or in full. Not all the knowledge and skills will be met via these multi-agency training courses, and readers should look at what else is available both within their own agency and in a multi-agency context, to help them achieve the full compliment on knowledge and skills.