SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
The Cabinet is asked to
recommend that the Full Council on 12 April 2006 approve the Adult and Community Learning Plan for 2006/07.
BACKGROUND
2.
In April 2001 and in
accordance with Government directives, the responsibility and funding for Adult
Learning passed from the Council to the local Learning and Skills Council for
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (LLSC).
3.
The Council continues to
be the main provider of the services on the Island. The range and scale of the services are now agreed annually with
the LLSC and captured in an Adult and Community Learning Plan. This serves
as a Service Level Agreement with the LLSC and sets out how the Council
will compliment the LLSC funding programme with its own directly funded Adult
and Community Learning Activities.
4.
It had been the
intention of the National Learning and Skills Council to introduce a formula
funding approach to Adult and Community Learning for all providers with which
it contracts effective from the academic year (August to July) 2003/04. This move has not yet been achieved and in
2006/07 the proposal from the LLSC is to fund the Council at the 2005/06 cash
level less 7.5%.
5.
In order to be able to
draw down this funding, the Council must submit in the LLSCs prescribed
format, an updated Adult and Community Learning Plan (the Plan) for 2006/07 to
2008/09. This is in the form of an
update to the original three year development plan which was first approved by
the LLSC in 2004/05. This plan must to
take into account the likely level of available funding and also the wider
development plan for the service which was accepted by the LLSC in June 2004.
6.
An Executive Summary of
the plan is attached at Annex 1 to this report. The full plan can be found at:
Adult Learning Plan
The service improvements contained in the plan for
2006/07 include:
·
New community
development model of ACL delivery based on geographical areas with programmes
targeted to support priority groups.
·
Developing and
delivering the revised curriculum strategy.
·
Developing and
delivering the RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progression and Achievement)
Action Plan.
·
Developing and
delivering the Supporting Literacy and Numeracy Action Plan.
·
Developing and
delivering the E Learning and E Guides Action Plans.
·
Working with Extended
Schools to develop Adult Learning and Family Learning Opportunities.
·
Building on the success
of Neighbourhood Learning in Ventnor
·
Improving the skills
base of Adult and Community Learning tutors through the Quality Improvement
Programme.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
7.
The
Adult and Community Learning Plan is focussed around three main strands of
activity which underpin many of the key strategic objectives of the Island as a
whole:
·
Family
Programmes which comprise Wider Family Learning and Family Literacy Language
and Numeracy.
·
Neighbourhood
Learning Programmes targeted to meet the needs of deprived communities and
disadvantaged groups.
·
Community
Learning Programmes in Extended Schools and neighbourhood venues to meet local
community needs and wider participation.
8.
The
Adult and Community Learning Plan is one of the key components of the Councils
policy framework and therefore requires the approval of the Full Council.
9.
The
plan helps to underpin the aim of Island Futures and the achievement of the Aim
High Corporate Objectives:-
·
Drive
the sustainable regeneration and development of the Island.
·
Improve
the health and well being of Island Communities.
·
Create
Safer and Stronger communities.
·
Improve
outcomes for children and young people.
·
Be a
high performing, cost effective Council.
10.
The
Adult and Community Learning Services make a contribution to the achievement of
each of the four priorities of the Local Area Agreement framework in particular
the targets to:-
·
Increase
participation in learning and achievement on accredited programmes for nine
specific key wards.
CONSULTATION
11.
Consultation
on the Plan is ongoing throughout the year.
Specifically it has been undertaken with:-
·
Isle
of Wight Learning Partnership Management Board
·
Isle
of Wight Learning Partnership Adult and Community Learning Strategy Group
·
Officers
of the Learning and Skills Council Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
·
Isle
of Wight Council Learning Providers Group
·
Cultural
and Leisure Services Senior Management Team
12.
The
consultation has ensured the key objectives of the Plan are reflected in the
current Isle of Wight Learning Partnership Business Plan and supports local
priorities. The consultation process ensures that learning provision is not
duplicated and opportunities for partnership working are developed. The plan supports the LLSCs strategic objectives
and continuing partnership working and curriculum development amongst the
provider group.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
13.
The
total cost of delivering the plan for the academic year 2006/07 is £447,481.
14.
The
cost allocation is based on a provisional funding indication of £279,390 from
the LLSC. The balance of £168,091 is funded by the Council from its core
revenue budget £110,900 and also project funding £57,191. Both the Council and project monies are
within the existing revenue budget for 2006/07 financial year.
15.
In
the service planning/negotiation meetings with the LLSC requests have been made
for additional funding to support the infrastructure necessary to continue the
quality improvement programme for the service and to increase the offer of the
successful Family Learning and Neighbourhood Learning programmes.
16.
LSC/ESF
funding has been approved to deliver additional Family Programmes in Extended
Schools and Childrens Centres in 2006/07. LSC capital funding has also been
approved to support the Neighbourhood Learning Programmes. An application for
major capital funding for the development of a Carnival Learning Centre has
been submitted. Further additional funding from the LLSC is unlikely in
2006/07.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
17.
The
Learning and Skills Council has a statutory duty under the Learning and Skills
Act 2000 to increase demand for learning amongst adults. In fulfilling this duty, it may choose to
work with any learning provider in an area.
It also, if necessary, has the ability to compel a local authority to
secure provision of adult learning provision in its local area. If a local authority does not secure the
required provision, then the Secretary of State may require it to do so,
subject to the LLSC making adequate resources available to it.
18.
The Adult and Community Learning plan is in the
format prescribed by the LLSC and complies with its contractual
requirements/expectations of the Council.
19.
Over
30% of those of employable age on the Island do not have a qualification to at
least level 2 (5 GCSE grade A-C equivalent) in the standard scale. The provision of Adult and Community
Learning courses can offer people the opportunity to return to learning in a
non-threatening and/or mutually supportive environment. Ultimately, this could improve their
employability and life chances and allow them to play a full part in the life
of their community. A strong supportive
community can help to reduce the perception of and actual crime in their
locality and enable people to feel included.
OPTIONS
1. Adopt the Adult and Community Learning Plan as drafted.
2. Suggest amendments to the drafted plan
3. Reject the proposed plan
EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT
20.
The
proposed Adult and Community Learning Plan has been drafted following extensive
consultation with all of the Islands principal stakeholders. It therefore seeks to address the needs and
expectations of the Island as expressed by these stakeholders including the
learners. It cannot deliver on all that
the stakeholders would wish to see because of the financial limitations of the
funding the Council is to receive from the LLSC to underpin its delivery.
21.
This
funding is reliant on the delivery of the plan which has many risks associated
with it. These are all known, assessed
and managed through the Councils Risk Management processes, and the
performance and quality systems used to deliver the services. The risks are shown in appendix 2.
22.
The
plan represents further progression in the provision of high quality and
learner focussed activities that have been developed in partnership with the
LLSC since its inception. It therefore
meets the LLSCs expectations of how these services will evolve in the coming
academic year. Any significant changes
to it will therefore need to be negotiated with the LLSC, who may choose not to
accept and therefore fund the changes.
In this instance it may also choose not to fund the balance of the
programme, leaving the Council to fund it directly or for it not to proceed.
23.
This
would also be the likely outcome, were the Council to reject the plan
completely. In this instance the LLSC
may contract directly with an alternative provider of Adult and Community
Learning activities or refer to the Secretary of State. The approach taken in the proposed plan is
for a co-ordinated, balanced provision being delivered to a number of target
groups and geographical areas by a range of providers across the Island. Were the LLSC to contract with only one of
these providers, then it is likely that the overall balance in provision would
be lost.
24.
The
Adult and Community Learning service, secured by the Council is subject to
regular inspection by the Adult and Community Learning Inspectorate (ALI). Were the Council to become dislocated
from being at the heart of the Islands ACL provision, this may lead to it
having a poor assessment of its role in the service. The service has just been through an ALI inspection in June 2005
and achieved a grade 2 good overall, with an outstanding grade 1 for the
Family Learning Provision. The post-inspection action plan approved by the LLSC
in September 2005 identifies the actions required to build on strengths
identified and address weaknesses.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
25.
That the Isle of Wight Adult and Community Learning Plan for 2006/07
be recommended to the Full Council for approval.
|
26. BACKGROUND PAPERS
·
IW
Council Adult and Community Learning 3 Year Development Plan 2004/07
·
Learning
and Skills Council Guidance on Adult Learning Plans
·
ACL
Self-Assessment Report and Development Plan 2006/07
27. APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Adult
Learning Plan 2006/07 Executive Summary
Appendix 2 Risks
to delivery of Adult Learning Plan 2006/07
Contact Point : Jo Treagus, Adult and Community
Learning Manager
( 823823 Email:
[email protected]
|
JOHN METCALFE
Acting
Assistant Chief Executive
|
COUNCILLOR TIM
HUNTER-HENDERSON
Cabinet Member for Economy,
Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure
|
Decision :
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Signed
:
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Name
:
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Date :
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APPENDIX 1
Isle of Wight Council
Adult and Community
Learning
Adult Learning Plan
2006/07
Executive Summary
Life is for
Learning, Learning is for Life
Overview
The 2006/07 Adult Learning Plan identifies
the principal Adult and Community learning activities planned which support the
delivery of the three year development plan approved by the Learning and Skills
Council in June 2004.
The plan supports the objectives of the Isle
of Wight Council, Isle of Wight Learning Partnership and the Learning and
Skills Council in raising achievement, widening participation, social inclusion
and community regeneration. Copies of the plan can be accessed on the ACL
website www.iw-communitylearning.co.uk.
Key Achievements
·
Excellent
inspection by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, grade 2 Good overall with a
grade 1 Outstanding for Family Learning.
·
Core
and project programmes successfully delivered in partnership with contracted
providers.
·
Quality
improvement programme delivered including programme of external lesson
observations and training for ACL tutors.
·
Business
Plan and Development Plan objectives implemented.
·
Carnival
Learning Programme highly commended in the National Local Government
Chronicle Awards 2005.
·
National
recognition for our innovative e-learning project Discover Island History.
Programme Offer 2006/07
·
Successful
applications for external funding to develop Family Learning Programmes.
·
Maintaining
high level of learner achievement and learner satisfaction.
·
Meeting
community needs 358 courses in 86 venues across 17 towns engaging 2821
learners and 4380 enrolments.
·
Three
key areas of provision. Family programmes including wider family learning and
family literacy, language and numeracy. Neighbourhood learning targeted to meet
needs of deprived communities and disadvantaged groups. Community Learning
programmes in extended schools and neighbourhood venues to meet local needs.
Funding
The plan assumes 7.5% reduction in funding
from the Learning and Skills Council and Isle of Wight Council funding at
similar levels to 2005/06 and therefore there is a reduction in the planned
learner numbers to 1600. Learner numbers in 07/08 and 08/09 are planned to
increase to 1700 and 1800 respectively as the new community development 06/07
model of delivery is embedded.
Priorities and Key Issues for 06/07
Priorities identified in the plan include,
new model of delivery, curriculum development, RARPA, Literacy and Numeracy
Action Plan, E Learning, Quality Improvement, developing Extended Schools
provision and building on the success of Neighbourhood Learning in Ventnor.
Key issues to be monitored include reduction
in LSC funding, and impact of revised ACL funding arrangements, minimum
infrastructure, post inspection action plan and monitoring the impact of the
revised model of delivery.
Quality
A comprehensive self assessment report and
development plan completed which details the activities to be undertaken to
ensure continuous improvements in quality. Key improvements planned relate to:-
·
Building
on best practice identified
·
Curriculum
development
·
Quality
Improvement Programme
·
RARPA
·
E
Learning
·
Building
capacity of community providers
Information Advice and Guidance
Actions planned include working towards
Matrix accreditation. ACL lead officer to undertake level 3 training and
strengthening links with IAG Providers and the IAG Partnership, continued
development of learner IAG packs.
Equality and Diversity
All IWC services to complete impact audits,
produce action plans and undertake impact assessments on all policies and
strategies. Cultural diverse learning
opportunities will continue to be offered and programmes targeted to attract
learners from priority groups. An equipment resource bank is being developed to
support the need of learners with disabilities.
Risk Management
The Adult Learning Plan is monitored through
the Cultural and Leisure Services senior management team and ACL management team in accordance with the IWC risk
management system.
