Common Core of Skills, Knowledge & Understanding and Values for the "Children's Workforce" in Scotland

Implementation - Keeping in Touch

50. A fundamental principle of implementing the Common Core is that if you are altering a product such as an induction programme, and your neighbour is also planning to do that, why not work together? A number of organisations have commented that this is the real added value that the Common Core brings, the opportunity to share resources and forge new links.

51. For this to work effectively it is important for us to be able to share our plans or ask questions about implementation. We have set up a dedicated area on the GIRFEC Knowledge Hub portal where you can share your ideas, comment on other ideas, ask questions and forge new relationships. More information, including how to join the GIRFEC Knowledge Hub can be found at Annex B.

Common Core and other skills / competency frameworks

52. Specific professions or groups have their own frameworks, quite often broken into levels setting out, in detail, the skills and knowledge required of a particular role or profession. We also know of areas of the country who have developed their own competency frameworks (for example the "Getting It Right For Every Child in Lanarkshire: Core competency framework").

53. The relationship between the Common Core and other skills / competency frameworks is complementary. The Common Core does not attempt to replace what exists already.

54. The Common Core is generic and will benefit workers in any role. It does not go into the detail that existing frameworks do (although we would expect there to be overlaps) and focuses on the key area of relationships. As one commentator put it, "our skill frameworks help to deliver good social workers, health visitors etc. The Common Core helps deliver people who are good at working with people".

55. Implementing the Common Core can be done in parallel with any improvements to be made as a result of current or future skills / competency framework developments. If you are revising your frameworks in future we would encourage you, at that time, to ensure there is sufficient emphasis of the areas within the Common Core.

Common Core and Getting it Right for Every Child

56. The Common Core is heavily interwoven into the GIRFEC approach aimed at improving the wellbeing of all children (every child in Scotland has the right to be active, achieving, nurtured, respected, responsible, included, healthy - and above all, safe). The Common Core incorporates the GIRFEC values and principles. Demonstrating these, and the essential characteristics of the Common Core, will put every worker well on the way to "getting it right" for children, young people and their families. Over and above the Common Core there will be aspects of implementing the GIRFEC approach where particular skills are required e.g. those around leading and managing in a multi-agency context.