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How did they do it?. An investigation into the strategies used in Birmingham to improve the recruitment of people from ethnic minority groups to the childcare workforce. Introduction. Danielle Carey
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How did they do it? An investigation into the strategies used in Birmingham to improve the recruitment of people from ethnic minority groups to the childcare workforce.
Introduction • Danielle Carey • FE Co-ordinator Early Years and Care Programmes at Birmingham College of Food Tourism and Creative Studies. • This research was conducted as part of a Masters Degree in Early Years Education at Sheffield University.
Improving Ethnic Recruitment to Birmingham’s childcare workforce. • Birmingham EYDCP Data Ethnic Minority Recruitment 28% • National Ethnic Minority Recruitment 6%
Methodology • This research was carried out with the permission of Birmingham Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and Birmingham and Solihull Learning Skills Council. (BSLSC) • The “snowball method” was used to identify relevant interviewees. • 8 semi-structured interviews took place
Birmingham EYDCP Ethnicity Statistics 2001/2004 (Birmingham EYDCP Archive Ethnicity Data)
Which settings are included in Birmingham 2004 EYDCP workforce statistics? • Full day care - 67% • Childminders – 17% • Sessional day care – 16%
Findings • Targets for recruitment were set and monitored. (EYDCP and BSLSC) • The Childcare Recruitment Team were given a lead role in identifying barriers to training/employment and developing strategies to overcome them.
Setting and monitoring targets for improvement. • EYDCP annual workforce survey • BSLSC Ethnic Diversity Impact Measures (EDIM’s)
Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to training/employment • Careers advisors were made fully aware of employment opportunities in the childcare sector. • Improved Marketing the Child Care Recruitment Team: attended community events, made use of community radio stations and advertised childcare opportunities on local buses, trams and trains. • Training – community based provision, women only courses, courses at appropriate times. • Family friendly flexible working patterns
Job Applications. • Competing application forms. • Interview preparation/techniques. • Support with CRB completion. • Inviting under represented groups to apply for vacancies.
Support with Language • ‘Small Talk’ focused on “…helping people to learn the language of childcare… relating to play, school and dealing with behaviour.”
Conclusion • EYDCP and BSLSC working in partnership with local colleges/training providers and local communities. • Careers advisors being able to provide up to date information to prospective childcare workers. • Providing support: with language, CRB applications, completing job application forms and conducting mock interviews. • Offering community based training.
Limitations of the Study • Serendipity • Case Study • Data Analysis
The Future • First Base programme • Extension of community based training. • Long term study of Level 3 destination data.