WIREDGOV

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has announced plans to continue beyond March 2012 despite being told the government will no longer fund their workforce development work from April 2012.

CWDC confirmed it will carry out a substantial programme of work with the Department for Education (DfE) during 2011/12, with £113.4m being invested in workforce development.  By next March much of its work will be transferred to either DfE, a new executive agency or be led by employers.

But CWDC, established in 2005, will retain its sector skills responsibilities and continue to support employers and the children's workforce from April 2012 onwards.

Jane Haywood, Chief Executive, said:

"We have made the most positive impact on the lives of children and young people when we have listened and responded to the people who work with them.  We know what works at the frontline, including the fact that when people work across professional boundaries they can make the largest difference to children's lives. Supporting a child in every aspect of their life is more effective than focusing on their education or care alone.

"At the moment, employers are making some tough frontline decisions. We want to support them in this role, and make sure we build on what we know works so we can continue to make a difference to children and young people's lives."

"This will be our key task and we are confident there is a place for CWDC's important work beyond March 2012. We will spend time over the next 12 months discussing with our employers and frontline workers how best we can support them. Whatever path CWDC takes, improving the lives of children, young people and their families will remain our raison d'être."

For media enquiries only, please contact CWDC Media Team:

Claire Chappell on 0113 390 7638 or email claire.chappell@cwdcouncil.org.uk

Claire Charles on 0113 390 7761 or email claire.charles@cwdcouncil.org.uk

Andrea Perry on 0113 390 7747

Notes to Editors:

1. The £113.4m being invested in developing the children's workforce is in the below areas:

• £79.9m Social Work of which at least £43.9m allocated to the Social Work Improvement Fund
• £16.85m Early Years
• £5.2m Educational Psychologists
• £0.5m Families and Parenting
• £25k Residential Care Workers pilot
• £11m to support sector led developments including young people's workforce, safeguarding, integrated working, poverty and disadvantage, disability and fostering together with organisation running costs such as office and staffing costs

2. The full remit letter is published on the CWDC website http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/about/corporate-information/remit-2011-12

3. The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) supports local areas to drive sector-led improvements so that millions of people and volunteers who work with children and young people across England are able to do the best job they can.

We want England's children, young people and families' workforce to be respected and valued for the positive difference it makes to children, young people and their families.

We work in partnership with lots of different organisations and support workers and employers who want the lives of all children and young people to be healthy, happy and fulfilling.