Research

Demonstrating the difference infrastructure organisations make

Charities Evaluation Services launch their latest research into the ability of infrastructure organisations to demonstrate the difference their work makes. 

Download the publication here

State of the Sector

The Office of the Third Sector has published a series of reports analysing data from the State of the Sector Panel survey.

http://digbig.com/4yecp  or  http://www.cabinetoffice.gov. uk/thirdsector  

National Survey of Third Sector Organisations

The Office of the Third Sector has published some initial results from the survey of almost 50,000 third sector organisations carried out towards the end of last year.

First results show that 58% of those who had direct dealings with local government bodies said that they had a positive or very positive effect on their success. However, over half of all respondents (51%) said they felt public sector bodies had no overall influence on their success, meaning public sector bodies have more to do to improve contact and support to their local third sector.

Visit the National Survey web site

The Learner Journey

HLC took part in the national pilot for the Foundation Learning Tier. This survey was to identify how three selected organisations already delivering programmes for Humber Learning Consortium took account of learner views and their learning pathways.

The Learner Journey (PDF - 176 kb)

The Learner Journey (Word - 412 kb)

HLC - Training and Learning Opportunities for the Voluntary Sector in the Humber area

An Evaluation of the Voluntary Sector Skills Brokerage Scheme run by Humber Learning Consortium, which explored the broad topic of training and development for the voluntary sector within the Humber sub-region. More specifically, it aimed to provide an indication of the impact of the Humber Learning Consortium Skills Brokerage scheme on the voluntary sector and to identify potential areas for improvement.

Voluntary Sector Skills Brokerage Report 2005 (PDF - 577 kb)

'What’s Going On' - 2001

Prior to setting up Humber Learning Consortium survey was completed to map out how the voluntary and community sector in the Humber sub-region accessed learning, what were the barriers to accessing learning and, should a Learning Consortium be set up, what should its priorities be.

Download “What’s Going On” 2001 (PDF - 433 kb)

'What Next' – 2002

One year later ‘What’s Going On’ was followed up by a further survey, 'Whats Next'.

Download "Whats Next" - 2002 (PDF - 544 kb)

LSN Publication - "It's a communication jungle out there... A guide to communicating with post-16 education and training"

For everybody whose job involves communication, the importance of plain English cannot be underestimated.
Government departments and the agencies working with them need people to take an interest in the information they give out and to be able to understand it. Otherwise why bother doing it? Sadly, post-16 education and training is often accused of having a language all of its own, riddled with jargon, policy-speak and acronyms.

This research report investigates how government departments and agencies communicate with post-16 education and training organisations, and how those working in it perceive the communications. In making recommendations our aim is not to criticise - this is very much a guidance document. We hope it will be a starting point for improving the quality and clarity of communication throughout our sector.

The publication can be downloaded from the LSN web site - if you are not already registered with them, registration is free.

Better together: improving consultation with the Third Sector

The primary audience for this publication is public servants, to help them understand the third sector and guide them towards a successful and mutually beneficial way of engaging with the third sector in policy making. Other audiences that may benefit from the document include third sector organisations, politicians and academics with an interest in the relationship between government and the third sector.

The document is divided into two parts: a research report and a practical handbook. The intention is for the two documents to complement each other, with the research report providing the contextual background to the practical guidance given in the handbook. 

The document can be downloaded by clicking on this link.

Enquiry into Hull City Council's Funding Arrangements with the Voluntary Sector

This enquiry was undertaken in response to concerns about the level of funding support provided to organisations which apply for funding from Hull City Council. It investigates what could be done to improve the Council’s funding process and establish whether it was fair, achieved good value for public money and provided organisations with the support which they needed [060]

Scrutiny Report No 26 (PDF - 91 kb)

 

 Learning and Skills Section

Young people, education and employment: The NEET Tracker - NEW

This partnership between the Institute for Public Policy and Research, ippr, and the Private Equity Foundation will provide up-to-date information to practitioners and policymakers about the challenges facing young people not in employment, education or training in the midst of recession.

ippr and the Private Equity Foundation have come together to produce a quarterly newsletter aimed at everyone working with young people in the UK. The newsletter will provide an overview and commentary on new research, policy and data, with a particular focus on young people not in employment, education or training ('NEETs').

Our focus will be the effects of recession on vulnerable young people and the newsletter will cover diverse topics, including education, health, crime, employment and well-being. The newsletter - which we are calling the 'NEET Tracker' - will deliver accessible information and resources for busy professionals, as well as providing a space for opinion and debate.

Each newsletter will include:

  • New statistics at a glance
  • Research and policy round-up
  • Case studies and best practice, from the UK and abroad
  • Opinion pieces and commentary
  • Interviews with experts in policy, practice and academia
  • Debates and feedback

The first issue will be available in June 2009. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please contact Kayte Lawton (k.lawton@ippr.org / 020 7470 6169). The newsletter will also be available from our website.

We would also like to hear from organisations and individuals who might have useful information, insights or case studies to contribute to the newsletter, so please contact Kayte about this too.

LSC Third Sector WEb Site

The site is for anyone working in or with the third sector who wants to know more about training their own people or gaining contracts to train others.

The government defines the third sector as consisting of non-governmental organisations that are value-driven and that principally reinvest their surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives. The third sector includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals.

If this is you - visit the site and have a look around.

The Learning Revolution

On 23 March 2009 DIUS published the long-awaited White Paper on informal adult learning 'The Learning Revolution'.

NAVCA was pleased to be one of the early signatories to the informal learning pledge and to be chosen as the lead body to bring together a Third Sector Forum which will encourage joint working, build new partnerships and develop new delivery models to widen participation and reach out to new learners.

Anyone interested in discussing this development please contact John Harris on john.harris@navca.org.uk see also http://www.navca.org.uk/stratwork/learning/diusconsult.htm

To download the White Paper visitthe DIUS web site

Working Together: Five years on

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has produced the report Working Together: Five years on, which is designed to provide a snapshot of how the LSC is working with third sector organisations at national, regional and local levels, five years on from the publication of Working Together.

Download and read the full report

Download and read a short summary of the report

Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work e-bulletins

You can download the January e-bulletin about the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme here.

From April 2009, Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work will provide childcare support for low income families with children, where one parent is working and the other parent (aged 20 or over), is out of work and looking to participate in learning that will lead to work.

The scheme will provide up to £175 per child per week (or £215 in London) to help pay for childcare and transport costs.

Each month, the LSC send out an e-bulletin to keep you informed about the progress being made towards the introduction of the scheme. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please email: freechildcare-adults@lsc.gov.uk

Data Protection

LSC Guidance and Signposting - December 2008. This document provides basic guidance regarding Data Protection.Included within the document is signposting to other sources of guidance, which might also provide advice and support. This document is not intended as advice and organisations should therefore seek independent advice, where it is required.

Download the Guidance  

LSC Funding Guidance 2009/10

This document, LSC Funding Guidance 2009/10 sets out the key changes to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funding approach for 2009/10.

It is a technical reference document, and should be used in conjunction with the various LSC funding guidance booklets
issued for 2008/09. All colleges, providers and other organisations that receive funding from the LSC for the provision of further and adult education are required to comply with the Guidance.

This guidance applies to all LSC programme-funding streams, including 16-18 learner-responsive, adult learner-responsive and employer-responsive. This document will be first published electronically on the LSC’s website (www.lsc.gov.uk/Providers/funding-policy) and secondly in hard copy.

The Funding Guidance 2009/10 will follow the structure of the 2008/09 guidance, in that there will be a section updating each of these booklets. This version (Draft 1) of the Guidance contains the main changes to Funding Rates and Funding Formula only. (Please note this is a DRAFT –some of the guidance is still to be updated and/or completed.)

Visit the LSC site for other publications relating to Funding Policy 2009/10

Information Authority Annual Report 2007-08

"Raising the Standard"

The Information Authority set data standards for Further Education.

This is the first annual report of the information authority, including views from the board and secretariat, our achievements for 2007-08, and our priorities for 2008-09.

Download the Annual Report

LSC Quality Assurance and Intervention Team

The remit of the Quality Assurance and Intervention team is to fulfil the LSC's statutory responsibility for assuring the quality of provision it purchases. The team works closely with external stakeholders, such as Ofsted and LSIS, in developing and implementing strategies to improve provider performance and achievement, and eliminate underperformance from LSC-funded programmes.

This link allows access to policies and other resource documents

Framework for Excellence Policy Developments - AoC Presentation

Presentation slides used at the Framework for Excellence Policy Developments break-out session at the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference in November 2008.

Download the presentation

The Strategies to Increase the Accessibility of Gathering Learners' Views 

The Strategies to Increase the Accessibility of Gathering Learners' Views is the first stage in the LSC's journey of ensuring accessibility to the survey for all learners. The association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec) is carrying out further work on improving accessibility through assisted support and assistive technology.

The following link accesses a page on the LSC site offering download to a number of Framework for Excellence documents.

Download the Framework for Excellence: Strategies to Increase the Accessibility of Gathering Learners' Views

 

Handbook for inspecting work-related and adult and community learning

This handbook provides guidance on inspection for inspectors and will be of use to providers of work-based learning, of adult and community learning, of provision funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, of learndirect provision, of nextstep provision, and of provision funded by the European Social Fund.

Please note, this document (particulalry in Word Format) is a large file and will take a little while to download. The download link below will open the Ofsted web site in a new browser window, offering the option to download the document in either Word or PDF format.

The handbook has been updated to cover the period September 2008 to August 2009. It includes new sections on the Framework for Excellence and the inspection of provision for children and vulnerable adults safeguarding).There is also further guidance on the inspection of equality of opportunity as well as updates to inspection remits.

Download the Handbook for inspecting work-related and adult and community learning

Government Investment Strategy 2009-10, LSC Grant Letter and LSC Statement of Priorities

Investing in our future through learning and skills. Investment in further education skills and training for our young people and adults has never been more important and this Statement of Priorities sets out how that investment will continue to increase as we respond to the current economic conditions. More young people will have the opportunity to progress into high-quality education and training, and employers will be able to access the training they need to prepare their businesses to deal with the current economic climate and emerge from it stronger than ever.

Download the Statement Of Priorities

Framework for Excellence Pilot Guide 2008/09 (November 2008)

Guide for providers involved in the Framework for Excellence Pilot: Phase 2 (2008/09).

Download the guide

Capital Skills Prospectus launched

The Capital Skills Prospectus has been launched by the Secretary of State at the AoC Conference, giving non-college providers of education and training access to capital funding for the first time. This important development gives a wider range of training providers access to new investment which will enable them to develop and deliver specialised services, such as Apprenticeships and work-based learning.

Download the full prospectus

Reforms to the training, qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers, tutors, trainers, and instructors.

Published by Lifelong Learning UK, this guidance is of relevance if you are responsible for the management of organisations that receive funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to deliver Adult and Community Learning (ACL) or Offender Learning and Skills. The types of organisations that this applies to will also include Third Sector organisations and Local Authorities. It is also relevant if you are responsible for the development of staff who work in such organisations. You will need to understand the reforms, how they impact on your staff and what they need to do. The guidance will also be helpful for those who teach in these organisations.

Download "Reforms to the training, qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers, tutors, trainers, and instructors".

Qualifications and Credit Framework Support Materials

Guidance documents have been developed to provide a clearer understanding of the technical features of the framework.

Documents available from the QCF web site include:

  • Level descriptors for positioning units in the QCF (version 2)
  • Guidance for using the level descriptors (version 2)
  • Guidance for submitting rules of combination (version 2)
  • Guidance for developing rules of combination (version 2)
  • Guidelines for writing credit-based units of assessment (version 2)
  • Imported units guidance

The are available from the QCA's QCF web pages, and have been revised in light of feedback from the tests and trials. The documents will be updated again in the autumn and will available in hard copy from the QCA order line.

Train to Gain and the Third Sector

An LSC publication outlining opportunities for the third sector to access support for training
and developing paid staff and volunteers. The Government defines the third sector as consisting of non-governmental organisations that are value driven and that principally re-invest their surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives. The third sector includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals.

Download "Train to Gain" and the Third Sector

LSC - Learning and Skills Policy Summaries - 2008/09

This publication is of interest to everyone involved in improving skills and learning opportunities across England

Download the Learning and Skills Policy Summaries - 2008/09 (PDF - 2.6 mb)

Planning for Success - a framework for planning and quality

This document is of interest to all colleges and training providers receiving LSC funding plus partners and stakeholders.

Download Planning for Success (PDF - 323 kb)

Framework for Excellence Provider Guide 2008/09

Guide for Providers relating to the implementation of the Framework for Excellence. Author: Learning and Skills Council National Office. Publication date: 03/07/2008.

Download the Framework for Excellence Provider Guide 2008/09 (PDF - 700 kb)

Improved Services to People with Learning Disabilities

This Department of Health report emphasises the need for unity of thinking around strategic intent, funding allocations and performance review. The report is founded on principles of citizenship and social inclusion, the thrust of 'Valuing People', and is fully in line with the government's vision for adult social care.

Click here to visit the web site where you can view or download the main report. In addition you will be able to download both the Executive Summary and an Easy Read version of the report. 

Skills for Communities - A NIACE Guide

People with lower levels of literacy, language (also known as English for Speakers of other Languages or ESOL) and numeracy may be excluded in our society. It is important to build the confidence of individuals and communities to use these skills in every aspect of our lives.

Visit the NIACE Skills for Communities website where you will be able to view and download the guide for people working in and with communities. It will help you understand more about how literacy, language and numeracy issues may affect people you work with, the services you offer and what you and your organisation can do about it. The guide consists of a general section explaining some of the issues followed by brief specialist sections that put this in context for people in different agencies or settings.

Workforce Strategy for the Further Education Sector in England, 2007-2012

Implementation Plan: Transforming the future FE Workforce to become a force for change.

The intention of this plan is to guide the recruitment and retention of a responsive workforce that can meet the challenges and requirements of learners and employers focusing on upgrading skills, improving employability and ensuring equality and diversity is at the heart of it all.

Visit the Lifelong Learning UK web site to download the Workforce Strategy Implementation Plan.

 

General Strategy Section

Public Services and the Third Sector: Rhetoric and Reality

House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee, Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08. Government is commissioning ever more public service delivery from organisations in the third sector-charities and other not-for-profit organisations, as well as social enterprises. In this report, our first since acquiring responsibility for scrutinising third sector policy, we have attempted to assess the impact of that policy approach. In particular, we have tried to look not just at the effect on government and on the sector, but more importantly the effect on service users and the public at large.

Download "Public Services and the Third Sector: Rhetoric and Reality"

The Follow up to Rhetoric and Reality 

Download the Participation in Public Services Action Plan - Two Years On

Working in a consortium: A guide for third sector organisations involved in public service

In Partnership in Public Services: An action plan for third sector involvement the Government acknowledged that, at their best, third sector organisations - especially those rooted in local communities - have an expert perspective on the needs of local people and how best to provide services that meet those needs.

This is why in the action plan a number of commitments were made to reduce the barriers that third sector organisations often face in tendering for and delivering public services. It is recognised that as well as sub-contracting, forming a consortium is another way in which smaller organisations can get involved in the delivery of public sector contracts.

This guide aims to provide information relevant to a wide range of third sector organisations but it will be of particular interest to smaller charities and local third sector groups.

Download Working in a Consortium: A Guide for Third Sector Organisations Involved in Public Services

GOYH Corporate Plan 2008-2011

The Government Office Yorkshire and Humber have published their Corporate Plan for the the region covering the next 3 years.

Download the GOYH Corporate Plan 2008-2011 (PDF - 514 kb)

Destination 2014 Strategy

This strategy is the result of the consultation programme Capacitybuilders ran from December 2006 to March 2007. It takes full account of the various views expressed and is designed to indicate the way forward for Capacitybuilders in relation to the ChangeUp programme as a whole.

Download Destination 2014 Strategy (PDF - 718 kb)

Volunteering Hull (Hull CVS)

A strategy for the future of volunteering. The Strategy is one of the first attempts by an English city to use a partnership approach to promoting and sustaining volunteering and improving the volunteering experience for everyone in the community.

Download Volunteering Hull (PDF - 1.3 mb)