Supporting Skills for Care Workers
Dench S, La Valle I, Evans C | Report 347 | Institute for Employment Studies | Feb 1999
This report presents the findings of an in-depth exploration of the skills required to work in two caring occupations: childcare and eldercare.
These occupations are frequently seen as requiring little real skill, and it has been argued that the skills which are needed basically come naturally, especially to women.
Our study challenges this view and shows that both looking after children and older people require a body of skill and knowledge which is changing and becoming more complex.
The study also looks at recruitment and recruitment difficulties, how the appropriate skills are identified, training and development. It raises a number of issues and concerns for the future.
Read the full summary