7 October 2008: John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, has today announced that the social care sector will have its own national skills academy.
The National Skills Academy for Social Care, which will be established as an independent organisation on 30 March 2009, will be the first welfare-related skills academy and will target training and development support to the 1.5 million social care workers in England. There will be a particular emphasis on small and medium sized organisations with limited training and development budgets.
The announcement follows a competitive bidding process which culminated in four skills academies being approved.
David Sherlock, chair of the steering group that led the bid on behalf of the social care sector, welcomed the announcement saying:
“We are delighted that the Skills Academy for Social Care has been given national recognition. It emphasises the significance of social care and its contribution to the wider economy. We are excited at the opportunities the Skills Academy will have to offer real support to employers large and small in developing their staff and their own management and leadership skills. People who use social care deserve no less.”
The Skills Academy will receive £1.5 million over three years from the Learning and Skills Council. Department of Health is contributing £2 million over three years, and social care employers will also make a contribution.
Glen Mason, Director for Social Care Leadership and Performance Department of Health, also welcomed the announcement saying:
“By supporting effective social care, the Skills Academy will contribute to wider economic and social life of communities. Effective social care can help to people develop their confidence and skills to enable them to work—and it allows people with caring responsibilities to follow their own careers. Its contribution to social and economic capital is huge and fundamental to societys wellbeing and Department of Health is delighted to be providing £2 million to support this work.”
Jennifer Bernard, Programme Director of the National Skills Academy for Social Care bid, is available for interview. Photographs of skills academy steering group members with the Secretary of State will be available after 7 October.
Further details are available at www.skillsacademyforsocialcare.org.uk