Shared education for professionals in child care.

A shared foundation year at the start of educational pathways for professionals and others who will be working with children has two main objectives: acquisition of knowledge and skills common to the different disciplines and development of flexible practitioners who understand the many roles in child care and can adapt as new roles emerge. A Foundation Degree in Children and Families developed at Canterbury Christ Church University was designed to provide a knowledge and skills base suitable for any worker in this field. Clear definition by regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of roles that exist and new roles that emerge are needed to help ensure clarity for progression through the available educational pathways. The future education of children's nurses can, and should, be undertaken in joint programmes with other childcare workers.