Learning and Skills Section
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Shadow SFA Internal Operational Guidance - NEW
The shadow Skills Funding Agency has produced internal guidance for its staff on managing provision during 2009/10. This guidance covers the main funding streams for post-19 delivery. Whilst this document is produced for internal staff, colleges and providers may also find it useful.
http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/sfa-shadowOperationalGuidance-gn-2010-v1-1.pdf
Funding allocations for the 2010/11 academic year - NEW
The Guidance Note series provides information on the Skills Funding Agency's funding allocations processes for the 2010/11 academic year. This will inform discussions between colleges and training organisations and the Skills Funding Agency Account Management teams which will take place over the coming weeks and months.
Click here to access the Guidance Note 1 published in December 2009.
Guidance Note 2 was published on the 19 February 2010 and will be uploaded shortly.
Additional 16-18 Allocations for 2009/10 - NEW
In Budget 2009 additional funds were allocated to fund 54,500 additional places for 16-18 year olds. 20,000 of these places were to be allocated through a bidding process across all types of provider. All school sixth forms, colleges and E2E providers received an invitation to submit a business case for additional places by 15 May 2009.
The purpose of the additional funding was to ensure that the LSC could meet the September Guarantee and its commitment to those that are not in education, employment or training (NEET) in every area of the country. This does not imply that all learners recruited above provider's allocations will be funded.
Skills for Growth: a national strategy for economic growth and individual prosperity published by BIS, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Skills are a key part of the BIS plan for economic recovery, and an urgent challenge. This country's future can only be built by people who have the skills demanded by modern work in a globalised economy. Skilled people are more productive and more innovative. Skills give individuals wider options; they climb higher, earn more and get more out of work. And skilled people are the foundation of successful businesses.
How will we rise to this challenge?
On Wednesday 11 November BIS published Skills for Growth: a national strategy for economic growth and individual prosperity. It takes some important decisions and marks a radical shift in some of the priorities of our skills system.
To download the Strategy Documents, Videos and Transcripts visit the BIS web site
16-19 Statement of Priorities - NEW
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have published the 16-19 Statement of Priorities 2010-11 which gives details of the planned investment in young people's learning.
This is an important document as it marks the transfer of responsibility for planning and funding of young people's learning from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to Local Authorities from April 2010.
The Statement of Priorities sets out key issues to be taken into account by those planning and commissioning education and training for 16-19 year olds, and those aged 19-25 subject to a learning difficulty assessment, in the 2010/11 academic year. The Statement of Priorities is also intended as a source of information for education and training providers of all types.
It also sets out the funding being made available in the financial year 2010-11 and the learner numbers for academic year 2010/11.
Download the Statement of priorities
LSC Qualifications and Credit Framework Questions and Answers - September 09
Author: Learning and Skills Council National Office. Publication date: 12/10/2009. Copyright: Learning and Skills Council. This document has been produced by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to answer key questions;various stakeholders and delivery partners may have around the role of the LSC (and its successor organisation the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) when it comes into being in April 2010) in the implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework(QCF).
Download the LSC Qualifications and Credit Framework Questions and Answers
LSIS user guide to self-assessment and improvement planningThis is a practical guide to self-assessment and improvement planning for providers in the learning and skills sector.
You can also find up-to-date references to policy (including changes to inspection), useful tools, links to information and examples of good practice here.
Also, the latest Common Inspection Framework for FE and Skills providers is now available, see below.
Download the LSIS user guide to self-assessment and improvement planning
Ofsted Common Inspection Framework for further education and skills 2009
The Common inspection framework for further education and skills 2009 - the common inspection framework - was devised by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector in line with the Education and Inspection Act 2006.
It is based on the common evaluation schedule which informs all of Ofsted's inspections. It sets out the judgements inspectors will make during inspection.
Download the Common Inspection Framework for further education and skills 2009
Making Skills Matter – The Learning and Skills Council’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2008-09
Over the last few years, we have seen performance across the learning and skills sector improve significantly. Our work with the FE sector has not only made a huge difference to the lives of millions of young people and adults, but also contributed to the success of many thousands of businesses and organisations. As we enter the last full year of the LSC's work, it is worth reminding ourselves how much has been achieved so far - while recognising how much there is to do in the coming year.
The Annual Report catalogues the success stories, in a year that has been one with difficult challenges, in engaging young people, adults and employers in raising their ambitions, developing their skills and improving their careers and life opportunities:
- Our PSA Target on Skills for Life was to improve the basic skills of 2.25 million adults between 2001 and 2010. By the end of 2008, 2,835,000 adults had improved their basic skills, hitting our target 3 years early
- Our PSA Target on Further Education college success rates was for them to be 80 per cent in 2010/11. In 2007/08 FE college success rates were 80.7 per cent
- Our PSA target on number of Apprenticeship frameworks completed was to increase the number of people who complete their Apprenticeships by 75 per cent by 2007-08 (bringing the total to 75,500). In 2007-08 112,600 people had completed their Apprenticeships.
- Success rates for young people in FE are at 80% for 2007/08, and more than one in four of all young people who have a Level 2 qualification at 19 have gained it as a result of LSC investment after the age of 16
- Success rates for adults in FE are 80.7 per cent for 2007/08, we have therefore exceeded the target of 76 per cent for FE colleges in 2007/08
- Apprenticeships completion rates are at a record high with 64% per cent successfully completing their programme, up from 26 per cent in 2004-05. In 2007-08, that equated to some 112,600 people in England achieving an Apprenticeship - well above our target of 75,500.
- Since national rollout began in April 2006, Train to Gain has engaged around 140,000 employers and has delivered almost 1 million people starting training.
- The proportion of young people aged 16 - 18 in learning and training is 79.7 per cent its highest level ever and the percentage of 16-18 year olds in learning who achieve a Level 2 is greater than ever, at 76.7 per cent
Download the Learning and Skills Council's Annual Report and Accounts for 2008-09
Improving awareness of voluntary sector organisations
Department for Children, Schools and Families commits itself to improving awareness of voluntary organisations, improving commissioning and communicating more effectively after third sector strategy publication.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published a strategy for how it will work with third sector organisations. The document, Third Sector Strategy and Action Plan: Intention into Action, was produced in partnership with the department's third sector group.
The DCSF commits itself to improving awareness of the importance of the third sector among its partners and at a local level, improving the standard of third sector commissioning, involving the third sector in the design of services and communicating more effectively with third sector organisations.
James Cathcart, chief executive of the British Youth Council, one of the organisations on the DCSF third sector group, said the strategy lacked detail, but showed positive intent from the department
Next Generation Learning - The Implementation Plan for 2009-2012: Technology Strategy for Further Education, Skills and Regeneration - June 2009
The plan was first published in April 2008, covering the period to 2011. It is now updated to 2012, building on the progress made during the past year. You can read about this at www.becta.org.uk/feandskills/achievements0809 . We have written this version for practitioners, leaders and managers working in the further education (FE) system, for their representative bodies and interest groups and for national agencies and policy makers.
By FE, we mean the wide range of organisations that make up the learning and skills sector and the national partners responsible for planning, funding and quality improvement.
If you would like to offer your views on how technology could be used in the FE system, please join the conversations at http://altogethernow.ning.com and http://collaboration.becta.org.uk . We want to hear from colleges and providers, especially those that have not yet managed to be drawn in, and from learners and employers too.
We will report the progress of this plan on the Becta site (www.becta.org.uk) and our campaign site (www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk) in newsletters and via other channels.
Young people, education and employment: The NEET Tracker
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Framework for Excellence Pilot Guide 2008/09 (November 2008)
Guide for providers involved in the Framework for Excellence Pilot: Phase 2 (2008/09).
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.
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.
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.
Last updated 22 February 2010
Contents (Links)
Capital Skills Prospectus launched
Common Inspection Framework 2009
Framework for Excellence Pilot Guide 2008/09 (November 2008)
Framework for Excellence Policy Developments - AoC Presentation
Framework for Excellence Provider Guide 2008/09
Funding - Additional 16-18 Allocations for 2009/10
Funding allocations for the 2010/11 academic year
Handbook for Inspecting Work-Related and Adult and Community Learning
Improved Services to people with Learning Disabilities
Information Authority Annual Report 2007-2008
LSC Funding Guidance 2009/2010
LSC - Learning and Skills Policy Summaries - 2008/09
LSC Qualifications and Credit Framework Questions and Answers
LSC Quality Assurance and Intervention Team
Making Skills Matter - The Learning and Skills Council's Annual Report and Accounts for 2008-09
Planning for Success - a framework for planning and quality
Qualifications and Credit Framework Support Materials
Shadow SFA Internal Operational Guidance
Skills for Communities - A NIACE Guide
Self-Assessment and Improvement Planning Guide
The Strategies to Increase the Accessibility of Gathering Learners' Views
Third Sector Strategy and Action Plan: Intention into Action
Train to Gain and the Third Sector
Workforce Strategy for the Further Education Sector in England, 2007-2012
