Training and Education: A Message from Valerie Jackson

A few months ago, an invitation went out to our readers to let us know, if they were professionals working with children and/or young people in whatever capacity, to contact us and inform us about the qualifications and training within their countries.

We didn’t receive a particularly positive response. In fact there were about three people who contacted us. We would like to try again.

If you have been trained in any aspect of working with children or young people, please let us know:

  • What entry qualifications you needed if any?
  • What was the qualification?
  • How long did you need to study?
  • What would you need to do in order to gain higher or more complex qualifications?

My colleagues and I wish to start a section in the Magazine specifically for informing and resource identity relating to qualifications and training.

I look forward to readers’ responses.

2 thoughts on “Training and Education: A Message from Valerie Jackson”

  1. In response to your request for imformation of qualifications etc here is a contribution.
    If you have been trained in any aspect of working with children or young people, please let us know:
    I undertook the Certificate in the Residential care of Children and Young People in 1976.
    What entry qualifications you needed if any? I don’t recall any specific requirements but we were interviewed by the college. NB award validated by CCETSW
    What was the qualification? see above
    How long did you need to study? The course was a 52 week course running fom January 1976 to december 1976
    What would you need to do in order to gain higher or more complex qualifications?
    I would need to meet the requirements of any particular award for which i applied.
    Interestingly I am now a senuior training officer and until recently assisted all our children’s homes staff to complete a range of awards mainly NVQs. Access to these awards seems less tied up with academic thresholds but more to do with resources being available.
    In my opioion the specialist task of the residential worker will remain poorly supported by training as the change to NVQs and their possible demise in the light of the QCF together with a more generic approach to awards such as the Leadership and Mangement awards devised with adult services means any contextual;isation will if not lost be significantly reduced. This contrasts with the MRCC award currently winding down. The most hopeful signs I have seen are in the area of social pedagogy and the references to it in recent parliamentary papers. showing staff that the work is more about the relationships with the children than about handling the risk averse and process orientated approaches that often characterise children’s homes practice.

    Regards

    Reply
  2. I am only taking classes for an associates degree in business administration at this time. I need to know where to take the classes I will need and what courses to take. I am in Oklahoma and I understand that social workers are needed and I have a passion and a drive to be part of the team to make a difference.

    Reply

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