Update on SOC: Standard Occupational Classification (and ‘Graduate Outcomes Survey)
Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network Success in the revised Standard Occupational Classifications 2020: Changing the parameters for the 'Graduate Outcomes Survey‘ and strengthening the position of Early Childhood Studies Graduates.
Consistent and persistent lobbying by the ECSDN, firstly led by Ian Barron and with the final collective work by Carolyn Silberfeld, Ian Barron, Tanya Richardson, Sigrid Brogaard Clausen, Martin Needham, Philippa Thompson and Alex Sabine, has led to Early Education and Childcare practitioners being classified as Associate Professionals (Major Group 3 - Professional) instead of ‘Teaching and Childcare Support Occupations’ (Major Group 6 – Non-professional). To have moved up 3 major groups is truly historic. Being Associate Professionals recognises the contribution of Early Childhood Studies graduates with relevant early childhood practice to the workforce. This not only enhances the degree programmes but also enhances graduates’ chances of having appropriate graduate/professional employment in the early childhood field.
The changes also mean that we have strengthened the position of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies as well as all Early Childhood Studies graduates (and their equivalent), who have assessed practice or hold early childhood practice qualifications. In times where the universities face challenges and cutbacks, it is important for you to highlight this change to your university leadership team and employment groups to gain (full) support for your work with placement providers and students in the coming years. If you are unsure of how to approach this, you are very welcome to contact us for further information and support: Sigrid Brogaard Clausen (ECSDN Executive lead on Professionalism, s.brogaard-clausen@roehampton.ac.uk) and Tanya Richardson(ECSDN Executive lead on Workforce, t.richardson@northampton.ac.uk)
The changes also mean that we have strengthened the position of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies as well as all Early Childhood Studies graduates (and their equivalent), who have assessed practice or hold early childhood practice qualifications. In times where the universities face challenges and cutbacks, it is important for you to highlight this change to your university leadership team and employment groups to gain (full) support for your work with placement providers and students in the coming years. If you are unsure of how to approach this, you are very welcome to contact us for further information and support: Sigrid Brogaard Clausen (ECSDN Executive lead on Professionalism, s.brogaard-clausen@roehampton.ac.uk) and Tanya Richardson(ECSDN Executive lead on Workforce, t.richardson@northampton.ac.uk)