On 3 December 2008 Adam Ingram the Minister for Children and Early Years launched the Continuous Learning Framework (CLF).

The CLF was developed by the SSSC and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) through a process of robust consultation with the social service sector.

It aims to improve the quality of outcomes for people using social services by supporting the workforce who are delivering them to be the best they can be. The CLF is for everyone working in social services in Scotland whether in the public, private and voluntary sectors. In describing what people need to be able to do their job well now and in the future and what employers need to do support their employees, it focuses on four key areas:

• the qualifications and training that are needed
• the knowledge, skills, values and understanding required
• personal capabilities that describe the way people manage themselves and their relationships with others and
• organisational capabilities which describe the culture and conditions in the workplace that enable social service workers to be the best they can be.

The CLF is not mandatory but the Scottish Government is keen to see ownership of it across the Social Services Sector as a key resource for achieving the vision of a competent, confident workforce, capable of delivering high quality services. The CLF is not intended to replace the systems and processes which many organisations already have in place but to enhance their effectiveness.

• You can download a pdf of the Continuous Learning Framework here.
• You can download a Microsoft Word version of the Continuous Learning Framework here.
• You can download a Summary of the Continuous Learning Framework here.
• You can download a Summary and feedback from the consultation process here.

Where we are now?

Scottish Government has provided additional funding to the SSSC to allow us to promote and embed the Continuous Learning Framework across the social services sector. We have recruited a project team comprising Fiona Clark (Senior Learning and Development Adviser), Wilma Paterson (Project Officer) and Shirley Gibson (Administrative Support Assistant) who are working closely with the four Scottish Social Services Learning Networks, the Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit (VSSSWU) and the Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative (PCSWI) to:

• make sure that social service workers and their employers have the information they need to decide how they could best use the CLF in practice including information about the Framework itself, the support available to them and examples of how it is being used in practice
• develop a website which will include opportunities for interaction with others who are using the CLF
• provide links to tools and resources to support the use of the CLF in practice
• set up a variety of support networks
• continue to engage with people who use services and their carers, practitioners, senior managers, national organisations etc.
• make links between the CLF and other initiatives in the social service sector
• continuously review the strategy and improve it
• evaluate the impact of the Framework.

You candownload a copy of the Embedding strategy.

Building on the use of the Continuous Learning Framework

The challenge now is to support social service workers and their employers across all services areas and sectors to engage with the CLF and use it in practice in a way which promotes their own vision for their learning and development as individuals and organisations. So far the project staff, the Learning Networks, the VSSSWU and the PCSWI have been involved in providing support in a variety of ways ranging from individual contact and small groups to large conference events.

Here are some ways the CLF is currently being used:

• engaging with managers to discuss how best to use the CLF – you can view an example of how Moray Council agreed how they would begin to use the framework
• making supervision and appraisal a more shared and meaningful process - watch the videobelow for an example from Angus Council
• supporting recruitment – using the personal capabilities in person specifications and interviews
  
• supporting induction –you can view an example of how Fife Council has used the Framework as part of their induction programme for managers
• self development and reflection – you can view a workbook developed by Angus Council to assist with self development and reflection
• organisational development –you can view an example from the Multi-Cultural Family Base of how they used the organisational capabilities to help them to identify strengths and areas for improvement
• supporting leadership and management development- you can view an example of how Key Housing used the CLF to design a diagnostic chart for use on their management development programme
• team development – you can view an example of how the Wrap Around Childcare Service in Midlothian have used the personal capabilities to develop as a team and improve their service
• improving the learning culture in an organisation – you can view how SWIIS Foster Care are using the CLF in a number of ways to promote a culture of learning among managers, staff and foster carers

You can view a video about the CLF which includes staff from Angus Council talking about piloting the Framework in supervision and interviews with attendees at the launch of the CLF in December 2008:

Evaluation of the Continuous Learning Framework

The SSSC is committed to evaluating the take up and use of the CLF and its impact on practice and on outcomes for people who use services. Systems are already in place to gather relevant information on the uptake of the Framework, in what context it is being used and which sectors of the workforce are finding it most useful.

You can download a Summary report of the project to scope the evaluation of the CLF.

If you would like a copy of the full report please contact Shirley Gibson on tel: 01382 207170 or email: shirley.gibson@sssc.uk.com.

I’m interested in the CLF – what can I do next?

To request copies of the Framework (paper copies and CD rom’s available) please contact Shirley Gibson on tel: 01382 207170 or email: shirley.gibson@sssc.uk.com

If you would like further information about how the Continuous Learning Framework can make a difference to your own personal/organisational development please contact the SSSC or the Learning Networks who can support and assist you with your own specific requirements.

Fiona Clark, Senior Learning and Development Adviser on tel: 01382 207218 or email: fiona.clark@sssc.uk.com

Wilma Paterson, Project Officer, on tel: 01382 207380 or email: wilma.paterson@sssc.uk.com

Your local Learning Network contact details are available on their website: www.learningnetworks.org.uk.

The Learning Networks will be able to provide dates of groups where users and potential users of the CLF can network, sharing thoughts and experiences of how the Framework can be beneficial to them.

If the CLF is to effectively strengthen and enrich practice outcomes we need to work together to grow it. We would like to hear how you are using the Framework and what difference it is making.

If you would like to share your experience of using the framework please contact Shirley, Wilma, or Fiona.