1 Aims of this paper

  1. This discussion paper outlines the current thinking from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and TopssEngland on an e-learning strategy for social care in England, and invites responses and comments from all interested parties. SCIE and TopssEngland believe any strategic approach to e-learning requires us to work with others and build upon existing activities in the social care sector and elsewhere.

  2. It is our view that e-learning is one of the tools social care can use in workforce development and the improvement of services. It is not an end in itself. While sector-wide responsibilities for e-learning planning and implementation need to be properly understood - a process we hope this paper will contribute to - ultimately the e-learning strategy is one part of a wider approach to improving knowledge and skills in social care.

  3. We intend to finalise our e-learning strategy by mid 2005. The e-learning strategy will then be incorporated into the new TopssEngland National Workforce Development Strategy for Social Care 2005-2008.

  4. Some notes on terminology and approach

    We have tried to make this discussion paper as accessible as possible to all parties who may have an interest. We have kept jargon to a minimum, and incorporated explanations of any potentially unfamiliar terms when they first occur, as well as in the glossary. There is also a list of acronyms.

  5. We also hope to give a direct picture of what e-learning can mean for individuals. To that end, we have incorporated a number of 'scenarios', showing benefits for various people in social care:

    • a carer learning from home and at college
    • a student on the new social work degree
    • lecturers teaching the social work degree
    • a service user teaching the social work degree
    • social care staff without professional qualifications
    • a vocational training assessor
    • a mental health services manager.

    The scenarios are based on e-learning projects or programmes that already exist, although the individuals described are fictional. Our thanks to the organisations concerned for permission to use them.

  6. The consultation audiences and process

    We hope this discussion paper will be of interest to:

    • Individuals and organisations representing social care staff at all levels and in all specialisms
    • social care employers and managers (statutory, voluntary and private sector) and their organisations
    • education and training providers with an interest in social care (higher education and further education institutions, as well as statutory, voluntary and private vocational training providers)
    • social care service users and their organisations
    • health sector learning organisations
    • workforce training and development organisations
    • other individuals or organisations with a stake or interest in the development of the social care workforce or in e-learning.

  7. We have incorporated suggested questions for consultation at the end of each section of the paper. These questions are collected together in a separate questionnaire, which also allows for additional comments.

    You can complete the questionnaire online, or you can download a PDF of the questionnaire.

    It helps us if you are able to fill in the questionnaire online. Otherwise, please return the print version to SCIE’s postal address.

    If you have any queries about this consultation paper, the questionnaire, or any other aspect of the consultation process, please contact us.

    The closing date for responses is 31 January 2005.

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