§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategy he has to ensure that all people who work with children have the necessary skills and experience to do the job. [72909]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government's objective is that all those who work with children and young people should be supported and trained appropriately. There is already substantial investment in training for professionals in the public sector who work with children and young people but we are always looking at how we can do more. For example, we are currently developing proposals aimed at bringing consistency to the training and development of all school support staff, which will be the subject of consultation during the Autumn term; we are also introducing a 3-year degree level qualification in social work in England from September 2003 to replace the current 2-year Diploma courses.
80WThe Cross-cutting Review of Children at Risk, within the Government's Spending Review 2002, recommended that there should be a common core of competence and knowledge shared by all who work with children and young people. CYPU is responsible for taking this recommendation forward, in close conjunction with lead Government Departments and with the Sector Skills Councils who will be responsible for Occupational Standards across the children's sector.