A unique initiative is set to launch as an academy trust introduces a pioneering higher education institute tailored for non-graduates already working with children, aiming to train them as teachers, social workers, counselors, and specialists in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Reach Foundation, affiliated with Reach Schools, will unveil the Centre for the Children’s Workforce next September, designed to tackle the challenges of recruiting and retaining workforce members in this sector.
Previously, the Reach Foundation expressed intentions to enhance training for teaching assistants by offering pathways to become certified teachers, proposing a structured training model akin to accountancy.
Now, the scope has broadened significantly, presenting training opportunities for various roles, including early years educators, pastoral support staff, social workers, counselors, and SEND specialists.
These programs will be accessible to anyone involved in child-related work, even if they do not possess a university degree.
Training will be offered in collaboration with multiple academy trusts throughout England, and discussions are underway with the University of East London to serve as the validating body for degrees.
‘A hidden workforce just waiting to be discovered’
Sam Fitzpatrick from the Reach Foundation shared with Schools Week: “There exists a substantial workforce that’s essentially hidden. These individuals are already engaged with children and are passionate about working with them, yet their career growth is hindered. This initiative is geared towards unlocking that potential.
Ned Younger, managing director of the centre, emphasized, “The focus has expanded to encompass the broader children’s workforce.
“This initiative recognizes the value of individuals transitioning between different roles and environments within the workforce. It is not seen as a failure if a teaching assistant enrolls in this program and later discovers a stronger affinity for social care or youth work.”
In their announcement, the trust stated that this expansion represents a “significant investment in workforce reform,” aimed at transitioning discussions from retention short-term fixes to sustainable, structural solutions.
Recent government statistics indicate a minor improvement in recruitment and retention challenges, with vacancies reportedly decreasing by over 20 percent last year according to the Department for Education.
However, the modifications to Reach’s program signify ongoing concerns in the field.
Younger remarked, “Our perspective is that teacher recruitment and retention challenges are part of a larger workforce issue. We hope this approach will lead to more teachers, while focusing on the overall health of the workforce instead of isolating one discipline.”
What will the program entail?
Reach aims to welcome its inaugural cohort in September 2026, with applications set to open in early 2025.
The program will be available to any non-graduate currently employed in the field. Younger highlighted this as crucial for their professional growth, as it allows them to explore opportunities while maintaining their existing jobs and community ties.
Participants will undergo a modular, two-year foundation degree program alongside their work, receiving continuous, practice-oriented assessments throughout.
Upon completion of the two years, they will have the option to pursue a ‘top-up’ in their chosen specialization for a full BA, which could lead to a teaching qualification or other career pathways.
Younger noted that this would particularly attract individuals early in their careers who aspire to work with children but are unsure of their desired direction.
“Many of them may not fully comprehend the various available roles related to child services or the required qualifications,” he added.
Training will be conducted regionally by multi-academy trusts, with Reach engaging in discussions with various trusts.
The upcoming cohort will hold a “national footprint, though not at large scale,” according to Younger. Previously, Reach indicated the need to onboard around 400 teaching assistants for the initiative to be financially sustainable, and they now aim to build towards that number over the next five years.
The Brigshaw Learning Partnership is currently considering participation in this initiative.
CEO Aidan Sadgrove mentioned that this would not only enhance the development of their staff but also strengthen services within their communities.
Reach is also in the process of evaluating how the new non-graduate teaching apprenticeship may align with these plans, as reported last year.
