Alan Plus

The Alan Plus project is designed to support and recruit men in to early years education and childcare. The project is being run as a part of CALA’s service delivery

The story so far…….

Since the project began we have run 5 recruitment campaigns one of which included a short radio avert. The adverts we have run in the local papers were headed with the strap line;

" Jobs for the Boys – Are you man enough for the challenge?"

Over 65 men have responded, 33 of those expressed further interest and to date we have recruited 14 men onto the staff bank..  All the men who wished to be put forward for interview were invited along to a short introduction meeting which allowed them the opportunity to meet and talk to men already working in the sector and to be given a flavour of the type of training that they will be offered when working for us. Without exception they all found this session extremely useful and we plan to make it a part of each recruitment campaign going forward.

Since starting with the staff bank our successful candidates have been given training in Child Protection, Food Hygiene, First Aid and the "Play and Learning into Practice" (PLIP) course. 

We appreciate that the move into the sector may well seem quite intimidating at first, so a comprehensive support package is in place. We aim to talk to each male worker at the end of their first placement then follow this up with a couple of short questionnaires to identify any early training needs or issues that have arisen. In addition one to one and group meetings have proved invaluable to provide us with evidence of the value of having men working in the sector.

To date our new workers have been working with mobile crèches, playgroups, special needs groups and out of school clubs across Highland and some of the men are working over 25 hours a week.

Comments from the staff bank team leaders have been very positive stating how well they have adapted and integrated into their new roles and how much the children like having them in their groups! Additional learning is also being gained by the existing previously all female work teams as the differences in the way men approach play is noted.

And most importantly our new workers have said:

"I’m very positive about my new role"

"My first placement generally matched my expectations"

" Pay is brilliant – I’m paid to play"

"..a bit nervous about first placement.."

"..made to feel welcome and involved in the group.."

"I like the flexibility"

" I could not get out of the reading corner!"

Your Questions Answered... clearly!

1. What are the rates of pay?

Between £5.60 and £8.00 per hour to start, with enhanced rates for evenings and weekends.

2. What training do I get?

New government guidelines require that all Childcare practitioners should be working towards formal qualifications by 2007 and have completed an SVQ level three or equivalent by 2010. Costs are covered and training is undertaken as a work based course and in your own time. As a guide, an HNC/SVQ level three course could take up to 18 months of part-time study.

Through our links with Highland and Moray Accredited Training, CALA offers you the opportunity to study for the following qualifications:

·       National Progression Award (NPA) in Children's Care and Play.

·       SVQ Level 2 in Playwork

·       SVQ Level 3 in Child Care Learning and Development

·       SVQ Level 3 in Playwork

·       Child Care Learning and Development Level IV

·       Playwork Level IV

You will also have the opportunity of gaining a National Certificate in Child Development by accessing the CALA foundation course, which is delivered over 7 days at 1 day per week. We are also providing training in the following areas:

·       First aid

·       Crèche induction (for new crèche workers)

·       Food Hygiene

·       Manual handling (for crèche van workers)

·       Behavioural management (learning to deal with challenging behaviour)

·       Child protection awareness

·       Minibus driving

All training is supplied free of charge but in the worker's own time.

3. What do I do now?

Start by contacting Direct Childcare team for details about the staffbank

Tel: 01463 703036

4. What happens next?

Your contact details will then be noted by Direct Childcare, which operates the Staffbank and is a close partner of the Care and Learning Alliance.

Direct Childcare will take over the recruitment, selection and initial training process. This will include the completion of an application form, enhanced disclosure and an interview.

5. Is there anything else I should know?

All applications are subject to full vetting procedures, which must be completed before anyone can commence working. The initial cost of this is covered by CALA.