Integrated Qualifications Framework (IQF)

The IQF is designed to support the delivery of the five outcomes of Every Child Matters: Change for Children (2003), which aims for every child and young person, whatever their background or their circumstances, to: 

• be healthy;
• stay safe;
• enjoy and achieve;
• make a positive contribution; and
• achieve economic well-being.

To achieve these five outcomes, practitioners will require the right knowledge and skills, including the ability to work together with parents, carers and other practitioners to provide integrated services.

The IQF will be a set of approved qualifications that allows progression, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and mobility across the children and young people's workforce. The IQF aims to support integrated working by ensuring that the workforce is suitably qualified to work in this way. The IQF will provide a number of benefits for the children's workforce including:

• improving job mobility and career choices;
• making it easier for people to develop and update their skills; and
• providing information on the qualifications available for new entrants to the workforce.

 Work began on the development of the IQF in 2006, and will be complete by 2010.

The IQF is, therefore, the holistic learning framework for the practitioner and will help the practitioner (and employers) implement holistic services for children, for example through integrated services or the Team Around the Child.

For latest information, including regular newsletters, go to: www.iqf.org.uk 

The Common Core of Skills and Knowledge

IQF qualifications will be underpinned by the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the workforce - the essential competencies identified for the widest possible range of practitioners in services for children, young people and their families/carers.

The Common Core for the children and young people's workforce sets out the basic skills and knowledge needed by all people (including volunteers) whose work brings them into regular contact with children and young people, whatever their age.

The Common Core acknowledges both the rights of children and young people, and the role that parents, carers and families play in helping children and young people.

The Common Core joins up six areas of skills and knowledge in a common platform of understanding for the workforce. It reflects a set of common values for practitioners that promotes equality, respects diversity and challenges stereotypes.

For more about the Common Core, go to: www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/commoncore