Adult Learning and Leisure

1. Adult Learning and Leisure Community based Learning and the Skills Strategy LSRN Seminar 7 July 2006 Steve Lay Somerset County Council Adult Learning & Leisure

2. It is Adult Learning and Leisure’s intention to develop a reputation for excellence in: • Meeting the needs of learners at entry and level one • The delivery of return to learn courses • Providing local community-based learning opportunities across Somerset in a wide range of venues at all times of the year • Providing access to essentialskills • Engaging with disaffected and hard to reach learners • Recreational learning • Developing skills within Somerset’s workforce

3. Adult Learning & Leisure Vision ‘Excellent Learning and Leisure opportunities for everyone’ • Equality and diversity • Continuous quality improvement • Social inclusion • Community cohesion • Economic regeneration

4. Adult Learning Inspectorate • Report published in February 2006 • 21 Inspectors – 156 inspector days • 609 learner interviews • 180 visits to centres • 52 partner/external agency interviews • 228 interviews with staff • 206 lessons observed – totalling 93 hours

5. Inspection outcomes • Ali ‘Bronze’ Award • Lesson Observations: 55% Outstanding or Good 38% Satisfactory 7% Inadequate • Leadership and Management – Grade 2 (Good) • Equality of Opportunity – Grade 2 • Capacity to make further improvements – Grade 2 • Community Development – Grade 2 • Health, public services and care – Grade 2 • Preparation for life and work, contributory grade: Return to Learn – Grade 2

6. Key findings: • Strong strategic leadership • Good management of change • Productive partnership arrangements • Good promotion of equality and diversity • Successful initiatives to widen participation

7. Adult Learning and Leisure Priorities • Skills for Life – literacy and numeracy • Full Level 2 provision • Employer Engagement – Workforce reform • Family Learning • Personal and Community Development Learning

8. Partnership Development • Vulnerable groups • First steps learning • Community groups • Adults from deprived wards • Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC)

9. Accessibility • One third of users travel less than a mile • Use of over 400 community venues • Significant premises improvements • Extensive use of Somerset Total Communication

10. Equality and Diversity • Disability and Minority Ethnic Workers • 60 Learning Support Workers • 8 Learning Advisers • Impartial information advice and guidance • 10 Widening Participation Project Workers

11. ‘Independence, Well-being and Choice’ • Personalised learning programmes • Support for Carers • Health and well-being – fitness and leisure • Partnership for Older People Project • Voluntary and Community Sector enabling partnerships • LearnDirect partnership with Cultural Service (Libraries)

12. ‘Independence, Well-being and Choice’ – Cont .. • Family Learning projects with Heritage Service • ESF ESOL project • Economic Regeneration – Train to Gain bid • Workforce Reform • Children and Young Peoples Plan

13. Conclusion • What next? • Reading the crystal ball • Skills needed for the future?