Welcome to this fortnight's edition of the Skills for Care London e-news.

Over the coming months we will be sending a regular bulletin listing all the latest news, views and updates. We hope that you find it useful and informative, and we welcome your contributions.

news headlines     

• National Apprenticeship Week 2010 - London Borough of Hillingdon 

Apprentices from the London Borough of Hillingdon were in attendance at the National Apprenticeship week which took place a couple of weeks ago.  They had two apprentices submit case studies to the London councils. Noami Hobbs and Enicia Southwood, where they spoke about the support and commitment required to be an apprentice, and the opportunites that can arise via apprenticeships. Further information on these case studies can be found on the London Councils website.

A group of young Hillingdon Council apprentices also had tea with Lee McQueen (TV programme 'The Apprentice' winner 2008) during the week. Lee, who comes from Hillingdon, is a supporter of training opportunities in the borough and has close links with Hillingdon Training Ltd who provide the training for most of the council's apprentices. For further information on the apprentices meeting Lee, please see the Hillingdon Council website.

• London 2012 - BP Young Leaders Programme

London 2012 sponsors BP have just launched the Young Leaders' programme which aims to recruit 100 young people from the ages of 16-25 from disadvantaged backgrounds to an intensive 18 month leadership programme.

The selected Young Leaders who complete the programme will get the chance to put their leadership skills into action and play an important role as a volunteer in the London 2012 volunteer programme.  Read more...

To get involved, please visit the London 2012 website.

• Let's Talk Care - Skill for Care London

London's regional newsletter for Spring 2010 is now available to view online at the Skills for Care London website.  This edition focuses on recruitment and retention in the adult social care sector, looking at how to recruit and develop skills and services within your organisation, and what tools and resources are working well in the London sub-regions.  Let's Talk Care - Spring 2010. 

Hard copies are available by request to sfc.london@skillsforcare.org.uk

• Training Strategy Implementation (TSI) Funding 2010/11

In order to  support social care employers and providers (including those who employ their own staff) to drive up the quality of the social care workforce, the TSI Fund will be distributed in 2010/11 by Skills for Care through employer-led partnerships. This will fund NVQs, Common Induction Standards and other qualifications relevant to the social care sector.

Information guidance and application packs and a definitive list of units supported by TSI is available on the funding webpage or on request by calling Edith Ifekwuna on 020 7471 6773.

• London Assessor Network

The London Assessor Network is a free service run by Skills for Care London linking training providers with qualified Health & Social Care NVQ Assessors and Verifiers across London. We have recently launched the 'Online Search for an Assessor' facility on our website. We welcome new, qualified NVQ assessors to join our database to participate in assessment work in the London region.

The Association of Care Training and Assessment Networks (ACTAN) run regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions, on behalf of the Assessor Network, focussing on current assessment standards and requirements for its members. The next two sessions will take place on February 26^th, 2010 and March 3^rd, 2010. If you are a qualified Health & Social Care assessor and wish to join the Network, or a training provider searching for qualified assessors, please contact Abir Alam (abir.alam@skillsforcare.org.uk) for more information.

• Assessor Development Programme

With the new Assessor Development Project you could train your own in-house assessor for FREE. An in-house assessor would be able to assess competence as opportunities arise, which could reduce the time needed for an employee to complete an NVQ - and allow you to benefit from increased skills much faster. Fore more information please click here.

To take advantage of this limited offer, which is only available until December 2010,
call Juliet on 08452008536 or email: Juliet.summerfield@jemcare.net

reports

• LeaRNS - Briefing 6

The recent endorsement of LeaRNS by ADASS is a significant step in the progression of the system. More information can be found in the most recent LeaRNS briefing document, LeaRNS - Briefing 6, as well as articles around:

- Advantages of LeaRNS                                                                                             - Social Work Taskforce report                                                                                    - Birmingham City University embraces LeaRNS                                                           - LeaRNS and the Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) framework

• Learning & Development National Occupation Standards and Qualifications Review

Lifelong Learning UK recently announced that the consultation on the proposed qualifications for the Qualifications and Credit Framework is now open. This is an opportunity for you to review and provide feedback on the proposed qualifications for Assessors and Verifiers (now referred to as Quality Assurance).

You are invited to comment on either or both of the following:                                        1) Assessor and Quality Assurance qualifications                                                          2) Units of Assessment that comprise these qualifications

This is an online consultation only which closes on 4.30pm on Friday 26^th February. To take part please visit the Lifelong Learning UK website.

• Updating Common Induction Standards (CIS)

Skills for Care are refreshing the Common Induction Standards (CIS) to ensure they reflect current policy and practice. We would like to hear your views on whether you think the Common Induction Standards cover the key areas for new workers to assure they are safe and appropriate to practice.

Launched in 2005 for the adult social care workforce, the standards are for people entering social care, and those changing roles or employers within social care. They are designed to be met within a 12-week period, and were developed to reflect NVQ requirements and the General Social Care Council Codes of Practice.

For further information, and to access the online survey please click here.

events

• London Workforce Development Conference - 15th March 2010

The voluntary and community sector's workforce is a significant 7% of London's total workforce. This conference will bring together third sector organisations, training providers, statutory bodies and colleges to explore development opportunities for the third sector's workforce and to work intelligently and collaboratively for future sustainability.

Speakers at the conference will include Bill Freeman, Director of Learning and Development, NAVCA; James Jennings, Operations Director, Third Sector Consortium (3SC), and Mitch Harwood, Skills for Care London.

Free masterclasses in project management, training needs analysis, leadership and management, and many more, will be provided.

For more information about the event and booking details please click here.

• How to Profit from Trend to Homecare - seminar for Care Home Owners / Operators / Investors

This seminar will take place on Monday, May 17th, 2010 in Rembrandt Hotel, London from 1.30pm - 4.00pm

The UK Government wants to provide 110,000 more over-60s with free personal care in their own homes. 78 more care homes in the UK announced in January 2010 that they will close. Care home vacancy rates are rising across the UK. The Department of Health confirmed (BBC press release) that it is "effectively" Government policy to reduce the number of people in residential care.

The presenter of this seminar is Mr Esmonde Crawley, the editor of the UK Over 50s Housing Weekly News and the foremost authority on over 50s housing trends in the UK. For more information and booking details please see the seminar flyer.

courses

• Working well with family carers of people with dementia

For health and social care practitioners to explore the vital role family carers often play in the lives of people with dementia and to consider how their experience can inform our practice. The course will identify the need for a partnership approach to improving the lives of people with dementia and explore the professionals role in making this happen.

The course will take place on both Thursday, 4th March, and Thursday, 25th March. For more information please see the course flyer. To book a place on the course please complete the booking form (contact details included).