Common core
A shared set of skills and knowledge
The common core has recently been refreshed and updated following wide consultation with the children and young people’s workforce. It describes the shared set of basic skills and knowledge that everyone in the workforce is expected to have whatever their role.
This includes those who work with children and young people full or part time - including both paid employees and volunteers. In short, it’s for everyone who is working to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people.
Furthermore, the refreshed common core fully underpins our integrated approach to working. Everyone in the workforce can use it to make sure we’re all working in the same way and making the best decisions to improve young lives.
The common core sets out six areas of expertise that everyone who works with children and young people is expected to have:
- Effective communication and engagement with children, young people and families.
- Child and young person development.
- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child or young person.
- Supporting transitions.
- Multi-agency and integrated working.
- Information sharing.
By using the common core we can all make a big difference to the way we work together.
"We need these common skills because we might only get one bite of the cherry. Young people may only approach services once."
Click here to read how the common core has helped Joanna
All together, a better way of working
Click here to find out how the common core can help you work in a more integrated way.Joanna Nichols, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Co-ordinator
"We need these common skills because we might only get one bite of the cherry. Young people may only approach services once, so we need to make sure everyone working with them can see life from their perspective and engage with them."
Joanna Nichols is the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator for Calderdale Children's Trust and liaises with many different services. Joanna has held this position for the last six years and has been working with children and young people for more than 15 years.
Read more about how the common core underpins integrated working in Joanna's local services, and gives everyone an improved understanding of how to get the best for children and young people.
Read more about Joanna's case study.
