New Publications

A number of new resources were recently unveiled at the 4Children Early Childhood Matters conference; these included the What to Expect, When? guide for parents. The Education Endowment Foundation published their Early Years Pupil Premium toolkit for providers to gain the maximum benefits from the EYPP. The Institute of Education launched the Sustained Shared Thinking and Emotional Well-being (SSTEW) scale, which is being used in the SEED study (Study of Early Education and Development); also made public at the Conference were 'Early Years Pupil Premium: call for evidence' case studies which identify and share good practice in meeting the needs of disadvantaged children and improving outcomes.

A paper has been produced on what British Values mean in the early years with examples given in practice. Lastly, the Department of Health has commissioned a document supporting early years practitioners and health visitors in delivering the two year old integrated review which will be rolling out from September of this year. 

Professional Body for Playworkers

A recent survey has found that 96% of practitioners would be interested in joining a new playworkers body - more than 9 out of 10 playwork practitioners think that a new membership body is needed for the profession in the UK. Karen Benjamin and Adrian Voce, members of the steering group of play experts behind the initiative, are now planning to set up a new charitable organisation. Many practitioners also raised concerns that a new body should not compromise the work that is already being done to support playwork and its development by other sector organisations.

A Census of the Children’s Homes Workforce

A research report by the Department of Education (DoE) provides a snapshot of the children’s homes sector in 2013. Providing detailed information about staff qualifications, data on staff pay, training and Continuous Professional Development in the sector, it also gives an overview of services offered by homes and the type of staff employed. The findings are being used to inform the DoE’s children’s home reform programme. The full report can be viewed here.