EYP Update: Local Authority Spotlight - Northumberland - Step by step to a degree

The workforce development team had a vision to encourage leading practitioners to work towards achieving EYPS. But they faced a number of challenges. While they used the former Transformation Fund, now the Graduate Leader Fund, to pay for graduate programmes, employers were not confident that this funding would continue. Practitioners felt their level 3 qualification was acceptable and were questioning the up-skilling agenda. The geographical area was also an issue for the local authority; it had to address removing barriers created by difficulties in travel to academic study.

Northumberland decided to work with Northumbria University to develop a 'chocolate box' of options, including Professional Practice Awards. These awards enable experienced level 3 practitioners to have their experience and knowledge recognised towards achieving graduate credits.

Lorraine Pattison, workforce development manager for Northumberland Early Years and Childcare Service, says, 'In partnership with the university, we held an information and recruitment event informing the practitioners of this new and innovative route to progress from level 3 to EYP.

'We have 35 practitioners currently on the Professional Practice Award route, studying at different levels from level 3 through to level 6. We currently offer a range of graduate programmes so the workforce can choose whatever suits their work life balance.'

With a degree taking three to six years, depending on the study route, this new development offers the workforce bite-size chunks of degree programmes to develop from level 3 to EYPS.

Ms Pattison says, 'Once they reach foundation degree level 5 they can then go on to the Long Pathway to gain a degree and achieve EYP. Then, an additional 60 credits can be studied to gain a full Honours degree. Northumbria University responded to our challenges by delivering degree programmes out into the county in three areas - Hexham, Morpeth and Alnwick - thus removing the barriers to attending a university campus.'

Ms Pattison reports that in recent years Northumberland has had poor workforce audit results. 'To address this, our Early Years and Childcare Team, Families Information Service, Workforce team and Childcare Development team worked together to develop a new system planned to increase both audit returns and quality of returned information.'

Statistics have now increased with a 97 per cent return compared to the previous 36 per cent. She adds, ' Recent reports have shown that local settings who have graduates in training or are led by an Early Years Professional, are improving their Ofsted grades by becoming 'Outstanding'.

PROMOTING EYPS IN NORTHUMBERLAND

- EYPS is being promoted across Northumberland with plans for a bus advertisement campaign to raise the profile

- EYP Networks are developing leaflets to raise the profile to parents and other sectors

- EYP Networks have corporate branding including membership card, conference folders and memory sticks with county EYP logo

- The network is holding joint EYPS sessions with North Yorkshire