Back to the future for ACL?

1. Back to the future for ACL? Kate Watters Development Officer, Quality Improvement

2. The past is no guide to the future…..

3. Where have we come from…..? • 1990s - Adult and community learning ‘out in the cold’ perspective – ‘Schedule 2 divide’ - different Local Authorities gave different levels of priority/funding • Kennedy Report – Widening Participation and Achievement • Blunkett ‘vision’ valuing all learning • Continued commitments to ensuring a wide range of adult learning - subtle changes of emphasis

4. Where are we now…….? • Economic/employment related needs paramount • Clearly defined government priorities for adult learning and skills • Skills for Life and Platform for Employability • Government funding to secure achievement of national, regional and local targets • Differing levels/extent of subsidy from the public purse

5. Where are we now 2…..? • Changes in funding streams planned • Changes in ‘who pays’ planned • Those most in need (priorities) get maximum support • Those who can afford to pay, pay more- for non-priority provision • Shift of emphasis from widening participation to social inclusion through economic inclusion

6. Where we are now 3…..? • LSC supportive of importance of learning in relation to wider policy objectives, but unable to fund everything • Concept of ‘safeguarding’ funds for “learning for its own sake”, Family Programmes and NLDC • LSC now has statutory duty to secure ‘reasonable’ adult learning within EO legislation

7. Where are we going……? • ACL as a term/concept likely to disappear • Transitional arrangements re funding • New providers coming into the ‘learning market’ • Twin agenda for ‘ACL’ – PCDL and other safeguarded areas • ‘former ACL providers’ encouraged to diversify/cater for range of needs • Greater flexibility, more customer focus, wider range of (paying) customers

8. Where are we going 2……..? • ALI view – ACL has a lot to offer in terms of wider government agendas – health and well-being, regeneration, citizenship • LSC recognise links with these wider agendas • ALI describe ACL as a ‘sleeping giant’ – suggest that focus should be ‘community renewal’ • ALI identify family learning and community development models as the way forward

9. And right now…….? How to respond to change? • Mission review • Needs analysis and community consultation • Curriculum development and CPD • Keeping up the momentum re innovation and improvement • Flexing structures • Working with new partners • Developing new markets/products

10. Worst case scenario….. • ACL as we know it withers and dies – current learners unwilling to pay more, can’t attract wider range of new fee-paying learners, can’t develop new provision and new methodologies fast enough….. • Unable to engage with disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, in the context of community renewal, or to inspire families to learn • Competition for ‘market share’ and ‘soft targets’, ‘cash cows’

11. Best case scenario…… • Even more diverse range of enthusiastic and innovative providers, exciting provision available to all – fee remission ensures • Best use made of new technologies and approaches - learn from best practice • New partnerships bring more people into learning • Community-needs-driven agenda reaches ‘hard to reach’ and empowers communities • Current learners appreciate and pay more for learning around their passions and interests • Other stakeholders recognise the value of adult learning and allocate resource

12. What have we got going for us…? • Enthusiastic and committed people • Willing to share/learn from/with others • A propensity for partnership • Track record of working with community and voluntary organisations • A lot to offer e.g. workforce development • A ‘democratic dimension’ (LAs); service to local communities (colleges) – and closeness to clients (voluntary sector)