The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has today (28 June 2023) launched its very own podcast - Sgwrsio with the EWC.

In each episode, the EWC will be joined by a variety of guests to delve deeper into topics that matter to EWC registrants. From innovation, to professional development, policy changes, to the future of education, the new podcast aims to provide thought-provoking insights and practical takeaways to help all registrants in their day to day practice.

The inaugural episode, published as part of Youth Work Week, focusses on the Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales (QMYW). Host and Chief Executive of the EWC, Hayden Llewellyn, is joined by Development Officer for the QMYW Andrew Borsden (EWC), Bethan Wilson (The Prince's Trust Cymru), and Bethan Allan (Newport City Council) to discuss the history of the Quality Mark, the benefits of applying, and news on how organisations can get involved.

Speaking on the launch, Hayden said, “We’ve all seen the increase in popularity of podcasts, especially over the last few years.
“As the independent, professional regulator for the education professions in Wales, it’s important that we stay connected and engaged with our registrants, using methods most accessible and convenient to them.

“Our new podcast will feature lively discussions, as well as shared experiences, ideas, and perspectives on the ever-evolving landscape of the education workforce in Wales.”

The EWC’s next episode focusses on delving deeper into the topic of the EWC’s recent Masterclass ‘We don’t tell the teachers: understanding and addressing sexual harassment in education settings’ and will feature a Q&A with panellists from the event.

Don’t miss out - subscribe now via your podcast provider or just search ‘Sgwrsio with the EWC’.

The Prince’s Trust Wales and Newport Youth Service have been announced as the latest recipients of the Bronze Quality Mark for Youth Work (QMYW) in Wales.

Administered by the Education Workforce Council (EWC), the QMYW is a national award which supports and recognises improving standards in the provision, practice, and performance of organisations that deliver youth work services. In order to receive the accreditation, youth work organisations must self-assess against a set of quality standards and pass an external assessment.

To achieve the Bronze Quality Mark, both organisations were required to demonstrate that they included the building blocks for high-quality youth work in the delivery of their service provision. That includes engaging with young people in the shaping of its services, having a good understanding of the needs of the young people they work with, and policies, procedures and guidance in place to deliver a safe service.

Bethan Wilson and Maria Springer from The Prince’s Trust Cymru said ‘’The Youth Quality Mark was a fantastic way for The Prince’s Trust Cymru to review, reflect, and celebrate the fantastic work we do to support young people in Wales’’.

Bethan Allan, Team Manager, Youth & Play Service at Newport City Council said “I am extremely proud that Newport Youth Service has be awarded the Bronze Quality Mark, it’s a testament to the hard work of all youth workers and young people we have in Newport.

“We look forward to starting our journey on to Silver.”

EWC’s Development Officer for the Quality Mark, Andrew Borsden said “I would like to extend my congratulations to both The Prince’s Trust and Newport Youth Service on achieving the Bronze Quality Mark.

“It is an outstanding achievement, recognising the hard work and commitment you all make each day in support of young people across Wales. Well done to everybody involved.”

For more information, including details on which organisations hold a QMYW, and how your organisation can apply to be accredited, visit the EWC website.

The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has welcomed the introduction of four new registration categories to the Register of Education Practitioners in Wales.

In order to work as an education practitioner, individuals working in certain roles must be registered with the EWC.

The Education Workforce Council (Additional Categories of Registration) (Wales) Order 2023, (which came in to force on Monday 22 May 2023), widens registration with the EWC to include teachers and support staff in the independent sector. It also brings youth work practitioners in any setting that has a youth work provision into regulation, as well as those paid youth, and youth support workers that are working towards a youth work qualification.

Eithne Hughes, Chair of the Council said: “It is an established principle in the UK, and many other countries worldwide, that professions in which the public have a legitimate interest, should be regulated in order to protect and safeguard the ‘service users’ concerned, as well as the general public.”

“Regardless of where children or young people are educated, the level of protection, safeguarding, and commitment to professional standards should be the same. For a number of years, the EWC has highlighted anomalies and potential safeguarding risks that the non-regulation of some practitioners posed.”

“The EWC is pleased to see Welsh Government introduce this new legislation to address the risks we have previously highlighted.”

The EWC’s core function is to regulate in the public interest. It maintains a Register of Education Practitioners eligible to practise in schools, further education, youth work, and work-based learning. The EWC publishes a Code of Professional Conduct and Practice, which sets out the standards expected of those registered. Where necessary, the EWC also investigates and hears allegations of unacceptable professional conduct, serious professional incompetence, or relevant criminal offences.

For more information on the role of the EWC in registering practitioners, visit the EWC website.

The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has welcomed Eithne Hughes OBE as its newly elected Chairperson.

Eithne, who first joined the Council in 2019, was elected to the role by her fellow Council members.

She brings with her a wealth of experience from across the education sector having been a long serving headteacher of a large secondary school in north Wales, and the current Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and is an invited member of the Oxford All Souls Group.

Alongside her vast experience, Eithne is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including an Honorary Professorship with Bangor University, the Teaching Award for Leadership for Wales, the Pearson award for Leadership, and the Cymru Professional Award for promoting school collaboration. In 2013, she was awarded an OBE for services to secondary education in Wales.

Following her appointment, Eithne said, “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the EWC and very much look forward to taking up the role. Having been a Council member for the past four years, I am proud to have been a part of the EWC’s development to date and am passionate about leading the Council through its future challenges and accomplishments”

As Chair, Eithne’s responsibilities will include working with the EWC’s senior management team to lead the strategic direction of the organisation, whilst overseeing its governance and ensuring that the Council fulfils its statutory responsibilities.

Welcoming Eithne, EWC Chief Executive Hayden Llewellyn said, “On behalf of the whole EWC, I would like to congratulate Eithne on her appointment as Chairperson.

“Eithne is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about education across Wales, and I look forward to working with her over the next four years.”

For more information on the role of the EWC and to find out more about Eithne’s fellow Council members, visit the EWC website.