Work in Education
Workforce Development and Governance Service
Introduction
The Workforce Development and Governance Service, formerly Qualifications Service, Governor Support and Training Service and Learning Mentor Support is part of the Learning Developpment and Localities Group within the Directorate of Services for Children, Young People and Families, and much of our work is with adults. We deal with all staff in schools, school governors and members of the public.
What do we do?
The Service provides:
- Advice, support and training for School Governors.
- Advice on qualifications and career progression for Education Support Staff.
- Teacher Recruitment and Retention advice including the Graduate Teacher Programme.
- Continuing Professional Development for Support Staff including training and accredited courses.
- Support for the Development of Integrated Children’s Services.
Our main purposes:
- We contribute to the national School Improvement and Raising Attainment agenda by increasing the supply of appropriately trained and qualified staff working within schools and Children’s Services.
- We contribute to raising standards of learning and skills in the local community and workforce by enabling individuals to engage in lifelong learning and access professional qualifications .
- We contribute to the reduction of unemployment by providing access to professional qualifications and thereby to paid employment.
- We contribute to effective leadership of schools through training and support to school Governors.
Our underpinning themes:
- ‘Grow our own’, a local initiative which aims to develop the skills of local people and feed those skills back into the local community and economy;
- Promoting social inclusion by ensuring that under-represented and disadvantaged people are fully empowered to access professional qualifications and progression routes (e.g. unemployed, ethnic minorities, socially disadvantaged, disabled).
- Aiding the recruitment and development of effective and representative Governing Bodies for schools.
How do we work with our customers?
Our Customer Service Charter outlines our aims and how we will maintain the quality of the service provided to customers.
Continuing Professional Development for Support Staff
- Career advice and guidance for those who want to work in this occupational field.
- Advice on qualifications, pay and conditions.
- INSET events
- DCSF Induction Programmes for Support Staff.
- NVQ qualifications for Teaching Assistants, Learning Mentors and Assessors.
- Support for NVQ Mentors.
- Courses for technicians, cover supervisors, caretakers and administrators.
- Advice on funding options.
- Progression to degree or Qualified Teacher Status.
Advice guidance and support on Learning Mentor provision including:
- Recruitment and retention
- Role of Learning Mentors
- Best Practice/Systems, Policies and Procedures
- Induction Training and Development
- Monitoring and Evaluation/Operational Planning
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
- Career advice for aspiring teachers.
- Representing Oldham schools at teacher recruitment fairs.
- Advice and support on vacancy management and succession planning.
- Support for schools and trainees on the Graduate Teacher Programme e.g. training plans, application process, quality assurance, INSET and networking.
- Links with Higher Education, Institutions for initial teacher training and qualifications for progression.
- Advice on funding.
Governor Support and Training
- Advice to all governors on matters of procedure, legal requirements, etc.
- Support for schools on the election and appointment of new governors
- Maintaining and updating a database and communicating with governors for a variety of reasons
- Prepare termly draft agendas for schools and the LEA
- Provision of termly briefing papers on key issues of policy and practice
- The publication of a termly governors’ newsletter and training programme
- Arrangements for a termly link governor network meeting
- Provision of centrally held and whole governing body training courses
- Attendance of a Clerk at all full meetings of the governing body and preparation of draft minutes for circulation to Headteacher & Chair
Children’s Services Workforce Development – encompassing Health, Social Services and Education
- CPD for all Children’s Services staff
- Common Core of skills and knowledge
- Work towards integration of professional qualifications
- Workforce Planning for Children’s Services
School Workforce Remodelling
- Guidance on workforce remodelling.
- Change management support and INSET.
- Support for work-life balance and well-being.
- Liaison with Trade Unions for teachers and support staff.
Contact details:
The Workforce Development and Governance Service
The Centre for Professional Development
Rosary Road
Fitton Hill
Oldham
OL8 2QE
Telephone: 0161 770 4274
Fax: 0161 770 3664
E-mail: wdgs@oldham.gov.uk
We look forward to working with you.