Arts Council England and Creative & Cultural Skills have set up a group to look at qualifications and training for artists across all disciplines working with children and young people. As Writing West Midlands manages dozens of writers in schools projects and similar activities (through Write On!), we are contributing to this group. And because we only know the story up to a point we are very keen to get reactions from writers, schools and community organisations; anyone who might have a role to play or might be involved.

The immediate reaction of arts practitioners is probably to say there is no need for more hoops to be jumped through. However, we are increasingly coming across writers working in schools who want to know more about the curriculum and about how they should respond in certain situations, particularly regarding child safeguarding. Also, as our recent Writers in Schools Skill Sharing Day (21st May 2011) demonstrated, there is a real appetite for sharing practice and for learning from peers. The group will take at least 18 months to come to any conclusions (there is a lot of consulting to be done). As ideas are generated I’ll write about these. In the meantime do let me have any comments or initial thoughts.

Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive, Writing West Midlands