NAFWC02/07 - Social Care Workforce Development Programme for the Personal Social Services 2007- 2008

Introduction

1. This circular sets out the arrangements for the Social Care Workforce Development Programme (SCWDP) for the whole of the personal social services. It announces indicative grant allocations, and invites local authorities to apply for the grant on behalf of their Social Care Workforce Development Partnership by 30th March 2007.
   
2. This circular details the requirements and targets to be met by local authorities on behalf of their Partnerships to draw down the SCWDP grant.
   
3. Planned expenditure on the Social Care Workforce Development Programme (SCWDP) for 2007-08 will total £12,928,559. The grant element, which provides 70% of the cost of the programme, will be £9,050,000. The 2007-08 programme provides for an increase in total expenditure of £785,704. The additional provision is being made available in order to further support the achievement of recommended occupational qualifications for staff and the continued achievement of National Training Targets across the whole sector and particularly in children’s residential care and to assist in supporting the Social Care Workforce Development Partnership. We expect continued development in these areas.
   
4. 2007-08 will therefore be a significant year for the social care workforce development partnerships. They will need to begin to reflect on the implications of the new strategy for social services ‘ Fulfilled Lives, Supportive Communities’ and to take account of new guidance on Health Social Care and Wellbeing Strategies. Partnerships will also wish to consider the outcome of the recent consultation ‘Consultation on Social Care Sector ( Staff in Direct Care Settings ) Skills Review ’. This work will need to reflect the Assembly Government’s strategy for partnership and collaboration for public services in Wales set out in ‘Making the Connections - Delivering Beyond Boundaries’.