MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

INFORMATION REPORT

DATE WRITTEN 21 October 2008 REPORT AUTHOR Sue Hughes

COMMITTEE DIVISION Information COMMITTEE DATE 12 November 2008

Adult Community Learning

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To inform Cabinet about the Area Adult Community Learning Draft Strategy and the impending Estyn Inspection.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Adult Community Learning plays a key role in ensuring that the Council’s goals for improving skills and attainment across all levels and abilities are achieved. It impacts on all communities and all stages of life, raising the prosperity of the County Borough; and creating a modern, competitive economy, able to deliver sustainable growth.

1.2 There are many definitions for Adult community learning (ACL). Estyn (2007) defines the framework for ‘Adult and Community Learning’ as:

‘learning opportunities provided for adults in local community venues and which is particularly designed to reach out to places and people which other forms of learning do not reach.’

1.3 Research undertaken through the Learning Campus project (now called MLQ) illustrated that whilst a lot of good work was being done in Community Learning settings there was a need for providers to come together to plan provision in a more holistic way. Building on this initial research, the Department identified that around £3.9m was spent within Community First Partnerships on Adult Community Learning within Merthyr Tydfil in one year. A large number of courses (usually short courses) were facilitated in the community by a wide range of organisations and delivered through learning providers and contracted tutors. In just two of the local authority’s provisions, 1750 individuals benefited from community learning activities last year. As a direct result of this training at least 280 gained employment.

1.4 The Learning Campus research, WAG consultations on “Delivering Skills that Work for ” and local developments (eg. MLQ, together with the Health Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy and Children and Young Persons Plan needs assessment) all provided the context for a debate on the need to have an Area Community Learning Plan which brings together all providers and funding groups to develop one holistic plan. Through negotiations with stakeholders, the Local Authority has facilitated the development of two groups to maximise the potential of ACL within the County Borough. The role of the first group was to concentrate on developing a holistic Area Strategy, whilst the second concentrated on quality issues.

2.0 THE ADULT LEARNING AGENDA

2.1 The Government sponsored Leitch Report undertook a review of skills and training within the UK. Important extracts from the report state:

‘Improving the skills of young people, while essential, cannot be the sole solution to achieving world class skills. Improvements in attainment of young people can only deliver a small part of what is necessary, because they comprise a small proportion of the overall workforce. Demographic change means that there will be smaller numbers of young people flowing into the workforce towards 2020. More than 70 per cent of the 2020 working age population are already over the age of 16. As the global economy changes and working lives lengthen with population ageing, adults will increasingly need to update their skills in the workforce.

2.2 Despite the recognition of the importance of the adult learning agenda, funding for post- 19 education has fallen and the funding per head of population in Wales is lower than that in England.

2.3 The funding issue appears to have emerged as a consequence of a skills strategy that prioritises recent school leavers and Level Two qualifications. Without new money to support this skills strategy, colleges have been forced to redirect resources away from areas that do not deliver upon centrally set targets.

2.4 It is vulnerable adults who suffer the most from these consequences. Homeless people, lone mothers, people on incapacity benefit, ex-offenders, disabled people and black and minority ethnic (BME) groups are often disadvantaged learners, many of whom are considered to be the the low-skilled ‘failures’ of the education system. Having low skills in a 'knowledge economy' is a contributory factor to the inequitable experiences of multiple disadvantage leaving people more susceptible to poverty, worklessness and homelessness. This has been recognised in Merthyr Tydfil’s Health Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy, which has identified the need to address worklessness to address health inequalities as a key priority.

2.5 Research shows that disadvantaged people are most likely to return to learning through short, informal courses and activities in local voluntary and community settings they know and trust. 3.0 The Draft Strategy

3.1 The draft strategy makes a significant contribution to a number of local and national strategies as previously mentioned. Adult Community Learning promotes economic regeneration by improving the knowledge and skills base of the community and supports individuals to develop holistic life skills. The draft ACL Strategy will be available for consultation on 31 st October 2008 and can be accessed on the Councils website and intranet. Within the draft strategy there are a number of potential objectives under each aim. On completion of the consultation, SMART objectives will be produced to underpin each agreed strategic aim. The summary below details the proposed vision and key aims:

Vision - “Through partnership , Community Learning providers will create and sustain an environment where young people and adults have access to a wide range of learning opportunities relevant to their individual learning styles that meet their needs, which enable them to maximise their potential and achieve a greater degree of independence and quality of life”

Aim 1 - Improve skills for work Description : Learning which enables people to develop the skills they need for paid or voluntary work, and which enhances their employability, or ability to progress. This aim will increase employment and tackle economic inactivity, and improve chances for promotion.

Aim 2 – Develop skills for well being and social inclusion Description: Learning for personal development, cultural enrichment, intellectual or creative stimulation, enjoyment and independent living. This aim will enable residents to develop skills so that they may enjoy a healthier, stimulated and enriched life.

Aim 3 - Improve communication skills and working with numbers Description: This includes learning which seeks to improve skills in communication, the written and spoken word, working with numbers and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). This aim will enable residents to develop skills to maximise their potential and achieve a greater degree of independence.

Aim 4 - Encourage learning for active citizenship and community development Description: Community-based learning developed with local residents and others to build the skills, knowledge and understanding for community participation and involvement, including those required for social and community action. This aim will help to empower local residents to actively participate in the development and management of services within their own community.

Aim 5 - Strengthen partnership working to ensure continuous improvement Description: Policy and procedures which underpin the strategy and quality of provision, to ensure that needs are effectively analysed and targets are set. Whilst there is a need to provide high quality provision that meets the learning style of individual learners in order for them to maximise opportunities and achieve their desired outcome, there is also a need for learners themselves to manage and develop their own learning and continuously update their skills. This aim will help ensure that learning meets the needs of the learners and communities.

3.2 The extent of the consultation exercise can be seen in Appendix 1 attached.

4.0 Estyn Inspection

4.1 During late October 2008 the local authority was notified that an Area Community Learning inspection will be undertaken in March 2009. The purpose of the inspection is to identify good features and shortcomings of adult community learning in order that the providers may improve the quality of education and training offered and raise the standards achieved by learners.

4.2 Feedback from a number of authorities who have been inspected has indicated that the process can be very fluid. Inspectors have identified developments for assessment which have not been directly identified by the local service providers as a priority. It is envisaged that the following areas will be subject to inspection:

• Local Authority - Adult Education and the Neighbourhood Learning Centre • Voluntary Organisations including WEA , VAMT • Communities First • colleges - (Community Learning element) • Higher Education institutions - Glamorgan Gates • Welsh for Adults - • Adult learning funded by Local Authorities or Welsh Assembly Government • Adult Basic Education - Merthyr College and ICS Family Learning Programmes • English for Speakers of Other Languages - links with College

4.3 Preparations have already commenced for the Area Inspection through the quality group. The quality group will need to ensure that a full and detailed Self Assessment report (SAR) has to be produced, all data and management information is to hand and that a nominee is made to lead the inspection. The local authority will play a lead role in all data collection and facilitation of the process.

5.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1 There are no financial implications to the local authority at this stage, other than staffing resource to complete the strategy and preparation for inspection

6.0 HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT

6.1 A level 2 Health Impact Assessment has been completed with impacts being of a positive nature in relation to the delivery of the Adult Community Learning strategy.

GIOVANNI ISINGRINI CHRIS ABBOTT DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED ADULT SERVICES DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S SERVICES

INTERNAL REPORT CONSULTATION:

The following officers have been consulted in respect of the proposals and recommendations set out in this report.

Chief Executive Deputy Chief Director of Director of Director of Director of Executive / Customer Integrated Corporate Finance Director of Community Children’s Centre Customer Services Services Corporate Services

BACKGROUND PAPERS:

Title of Document(s) Document(s) Date Document Location

Community Learning June 2006 Neighbourhood Learning Centre July 2008

Appendix 1

Adult Community Learning Draft Strategy Consultation Framework

This document provides a framework which identifies key actions and individuals responsible for implementing the consultation of the Draft Adult Community Learning area strategy. The closing date for the consultation process will be 12 noon on the 12 th December 2008.

Action for Description Responsibility By When Consultation Draft strategy for Produce a draft strategy for Ian Benbow - October 2008 consultation consultation. ACL Strategy Group Establish central Establish a hosting page for the key Ian Benbow October 2008 hosting of the documents including the link to the IAS MTCBC consultation online questionnaire within the process through Community Learning section of the MTCBC website MTCBC website.

Translate Ensure all documents are available Helen Prosser 31 st October documents into Bilingually. Welsh for Adults 2008 Welsh University of Glamorgan

Report to To inform MTCBC Cabinet of the Sue Hughes November MTCBC Cabinet developments of the ACL strategy. IAS MTCBC 2008 for information

Gain individual Mel Jones to provide strategic Mel Jones 12 th response from support to all Communities First Communities First December each Coordinators in facilitating MTCBC 2008 Communities workshops for all Communities First First Partnership Partnership Boards to consider the draft strategy.

Consult with Facilitate discussions with elected Sue Hughes 30 th November Elected members. IAS MTCBC 2008 Members

Community Communities First Coordinators to Mel Jones 30 th November Focus Groups facilitate small workshops with Communities First 2008 community members to promote the MTCBC strategy and encourage group and individual responses to the strategy.

Consultation with Ian Benbow to support Hilary Hilary Edwards Mid November Voluntary Sector Edwards of Voluntary Action Merthyr VAMT 2008 Organisations Tydfil to facilitate a workshop for all community groups involved in Adult Learning. This will seek to encourage a sector, groups and individual responses.

General staff To circulate the draft strategy via Ian Benbow – 7th November consultation email to all staff members within the MTCBC 2008 organisations. Dave Ashman - WEA Rhian James – Welsh for Adults Sian McArthur – Merthyr College Cath Sanders – Ystrad College Rob Payne – University of Glamorgan Mel Jones – Communities First Geriant Jones - Tydfil Training

ACL tutor To circulate the draft strategy via Jen Connolly– 1st November consultation email to all tutors working within ACL MTCBC. 2008 service providers. Dave Ashman - WEA Rhian James – Welsh for Adults Sian McArthur – Merthyr College Craig Pearce– University of Glam Mel Jones – Communities First Geraint Jones - Tydfil Training Gail Powell - NLC Jayne Powney – Family Programmes

Facilitate focus group workshops Jen Connolly 31 st November with tutors to promote the ACL Sian Macarthur 2008 strategy to encourage group and Dave Ashman individual responses. Rhian James

Current learners Each Service provider to provide Jen Connolly– 14 th November photocopies of the strategy and MTCBC 2008 questionnaire to all participating Dave Ashman - within a course. WEA Rhian James – Welsh for Adults Sian McArthur – Merthyr College Cath Sanders – Ystrad College Craig Pearce – University of Glam Mel Jones – Communities First Geriant Jones - Tydfil Training Gail Powell - NLC Jayne Powney – Family Programmes

Young people To work with the Youth Service Gail Powell to November (Chris Hole) and the Children and liaise with Chris 2008 Young Peoples Partnership (Chris Hole and Chris Richards) to develop and facilitate a Richards programme of activities with young people to promote the ACL strategy to encourage group and individual responses.

Consultation with Liaise with Suzanne Davies to Ian Benbow / 1st November Health Social promote and disseminate the Suzanne Davies 2008 Care & Well strategy across the Health Social being partners Care & Well-being network. November Present the draft strategy to the Ian Benbow to 2008 Health Social Care & Well- being liaise with Partnership. Suzanne Davies

Consultation of Liaise with Claire Morris to promote Ian Benbow / the Older and disseminate the strategy across Claire Morris peoples Forum the Older Persons network. Ian Benbow to Present the draft strategy to the liaise with Claire Older Persons network. Morris

Consultation with Liaise with Sue Cousins to promote Mel Jones / Sue 1st November Community and disseminate with the Community Cousins 2008 Safety Safety Partnership. Partnership Mel Jones to Present the draft strategy to the liaise with Sue November Community Safety Partnership. Cousins 2008

Consultation with Liaise with Chris Richards to Sarah Jenkins / 1st November Children and promote and disseminate the Chris Richards 2008 Young Peoples strategy across the Children and Partnership Young Peoples Partnership network.

Present the draft strategy to the Sarah Jenkins to November Children and Young Peoples liaise with Chris 2008 Partnership network. Richards

Young people Liaise with Chris Hole within the Gail Powell November and Parents Merthyr Tydfil Youth Service to NLC MTCBC 2008 produce a programme of activities to promote the strategy.

Activities to be implemented through Chris Hole 12 th December youth service staff which encourages Youth Service 2008 young people and parents to MTCBC. respond as a group or as individuals.

Schools Sixth Liaise with Teresa Winiarski 14 – 19 Ian Benbow 1st November Form pupils and Coordinator to photocopy strategy MTCBC 2008 parents and disseminate across all sixth form provisions. Consult with Chris Long responsible for economic Chris Long 1st November Merthyr Works development to promote and Economic 2008 and Chamber of disseminate the strategy across the Development Commerce Merthyr Works Network. MTCBC

Present the draft strategy to the Ian Benbow to November Merthyr Works partnership. liaise with Chris 2008 Long

Consult with the Provide photocopies of the strategy Chris Long 1st November Business and questionnaire to all businesses Economic 2008 Community registered in Merthyr Tydfil to Development encourage group and individual MTCBC responses.

Libraries Liaise with Karen Pugh within the Sarah Jenkins 1st November Merthyr Tydfil Libraries Service to Community 2008 disseminate copies of the draft Focused School strategy and questionnaire to individuals who attend all libraries.

Moodle Provide the online link for the Sian McArthur to 1st November questionnaire and all documentation liaise with Jill 2008 on the front page of Merthyr Moodle. Lympany to This would then enable all arrange the individuals who access the site to details to be participate without being registered uploaded onto the directly with Moodle. Moodle

DCELLS Area Ensure all consultation Ian Benbow 1st November Team documentation is sent to the 2008 DCELLS central team.

Merthyr Express To liaise with Merthyr Express to Carol Adams 10 th November article promote how a community based 3Gs Communities 2008 organisation is at the centre of First Coordinator. developing a consultation process for a local strategy. Seek to gain the web link address of the consultation process within the article.