Information Workshop

"Where do you get all the information for the blog?"
"It must take you hours to find all this stuff!"
"Haven't you got anything better to do with your time?"

Above are some of the typical comments that users make when chatting to me about this site (OK, I made the last one up...). In actual fact, getting hold of information to post on here is really quite simple, as most of it is sent to me automatically without the need to search for it, as I have a number of alerts and other services in place which deliver important news stories directly to my inbox. In addition, there are other online tools I use which are handy for organising and sharing information with people who have similar research interests.

Anyway, a survey which we carried out with students from the School of Childhood and Education a few months back (see previous post for details; an article outlining the results will shortly appear in the College's Praxis newsletter) suggested that many students were largely unfamiliar with such services, and the benefits that they can offer in helping you to stay on top of your subject, and organise useful material that you have found.

In response to this, I'd like to invite users to a 'Masterclass' session, where some of these tools can be demonstrated, and you can have a go at using some of them for yourself. Perhaps you'd like to set up a blog with pupils at your school? Or learn what childcare / education webpages other internet users are using right now? Or just ensure a steady stream of useful emails on your favourite topics? Come along and all will be revealed...

If you would like to attend, simply email me or speak to me in the library. If enough of you show an interest, I will arrange a time that suits you all and the session can go ahead. Who knows, by the end you may not feel the need to visit this site any more...?

Social Trends

Following a request from a student for information about the UK, I was reminded that I haven't yet put up a link to this year's edition of Social Trends. If you're not familiar with this publication, it's an annual report which takes a very detailed look at society in the UK - frankly it's scary how much they know about us! If you're interested in topics such as education, health, welfare or any other social issues, then this is a wonderful resource for information on the state of the nation.

Social Trends 2009 can be found here.

Playday 2009

I've been a little slow off the mark with this one, but the 5th August was this year's Playday, an annual event which celebrates children's right to play. This year's theme was 'Make Time', with a focus on ensuring that children are given enough opportunity to indulge in this important part of their development. On a serious note, the organisers behind the event commissioned several opinion polls and pieces of research exploring different perspectives on play, from parents, schools, and the children themselves; a detailed literature review has also been produced. Links to each of these reports can be found from this link.

Social Care TV

This blog often mentions Teachers TV and some of the many useful programmes that you can find on their website; now the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has launched a similar service aimed at social workers.

Social Care TV promises to offer short films on all aspects of work within the sector, which can be used either for general information or for training purposes. Currently the site boasts just 27 videos, although users can expect this figure to grow rapidly. For further information about the site, take a look at their FAQ's.

Children's Workforce Development Council

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is largely funded by the DCSF and helps to co-ordinate the way that the various agencies with a stake in childcare work together, as well as providing a voice for employers in shaping the future direction of policy in this area. Their website is well worth visiting if you are taking any kind of early years course within the College.

Like many other organisations in the sector, the CWDC also publishes research / reports relating to it's work. Two of its recent publications will be of interest to some of our readers:

The Composition, Needs and Aspirations of the Nanny Workforce in England claims to be "the first comprehensive profile" of this area; the report is made up of the results of a survey involving 888 nannies and 55 nanny agencies.

Evaluation of the Career Developments of Early Years Professionals (EYPs) summarises the findings of a survey carried out between October 2007 and May 2008. Graduates who had achieved EYPS were contacted a few months later to talk about the impact on their practice, career prospects and salary.

Fathers, Family & Work

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has just published a short report which examines how working fathers attempt to juggle their work-life balance; the study concluded that many fathers would appreciate more flexible working to allow them to spend more time with their children.

The full title of the report is Working Better: Fathers, Family and Work - Contemporary Perspectives and it is online now.

Primary Review - Final Report

Today sees the publication of the final report of the Cambridge Primary Review, which has been widely described as "the largest review of primary education for more than 40 years." For the last 3 years, a team of researchers based at Cambridge University with funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has conducted a thorough investigation into all aspects of teaching, school management and the curriculum.

Not surprisingly, the report has received wide media attention, with most outlets choosing to focus on the recommendation that children should not start formal learning until they are six. Other key points are listed in this Guardian article. The Primary Review itself has provided a more detailed list of press reaction, which can be accessed from here, while it's also worth having a look at these editorial and analysis pieces in today's TES.

The title of the final report is Children, Their World, Their Education - it is not freely available online, although you can read a briefing which summarises the report's main findings, and a more detailed booklet is currently being sent out to all schools, councils, and teacher training providers. Copies of the final report will shortly be available in the library stock.

SEN / Childcare Providers

Here are details of two new reports from the DCSF, both of them of interest to those of you looking for figures / statistics:

Children with Special Educational Needs 2009: An Analysis is a hugely detailed study of SEN pupils in the UK, with information on attainment levels, prevalence among different ethnic groups, different types of SEN etc.

Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey 2008 is the latest of an annual series of reports with information on all different types of childcare and related issues such as costs, workforce development etc.

Early Learning Partnerships

A new study by the Family and Parenting Institute examines the impact of the Early Learning Partnership Project (ELPP), a government-funded project which sought to improve early education for children from vulnerable families. One of the surprising conclusions which the researchers had not anticipated was that the project had a positive effect on the way that voluntary organisations work together.

To read the full text of the report, click here.

Protecting Children in Birmingham

A new report on Birmingham's children's social care department makes for uncomfortable reading. Following criticism from Ofsted, a team of government inspectors examined practice within the city, concluding that the department was "not fit for purpose."

Although the city council has accepted the report's findings, local MP Khalid Mahmood has dismissed the exercise as a "whitewash." To make up your own mind, you can read the full text of Who Cares? Protecting Children and Improving Children's Social Care by clicking here.

Children and Domestic Violence

A new study from the NSPCC examines the difficult issue of domestic violence and the support received by children who are witnesses to such incidents. The research, which was carried out by a team at the University of Central Lancashire, assessed the response of children's services in the aftermath of such incidents, and lists a series of recommendations for improvement to existing practice.

A 12 page summary version of Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence: Police and Children's Social Services' Responses, containing a bullet point list of the findings and recommendations is available now. The full report is due to follow later this year.

Incidentally, for anyone planning a dissertation on some aspect of safeguarding children, the NSPCC also provides suggested reading lists on topics such as child law, child protection, separation and divorce and many others, which will give you a good idea of the important books and reports in that area.