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05Aug2010
Literacy at a local level: the impact of cuts, restructures and Big Society
Posted by Emily McCoy
Last year, Partners in Literacy ran a survey which went out to local services and partners. The findings show that front line workers regularly meet people with literacy needs but that the majority do not feel confident to offer advice or to signpost to support. There is a real imperative for us to all work smarter, not just in response to the economic climate but to ensure that no one is excluded from participating in society (big or otherwise) due to their low literacy skills.
Recently I have met with some of our local authority partners and it is clear that, locally and nationally, we are all wrestling with the same question - in a time of great change and limited resources how we can we ensure that our work to support literacy is maintained?
Despite the uncertainty that will remain until Comprehensive Spending Review announcements in the autumn, many areas are already restructuring in response to existing budget constraints and emerging policy from the Coalition Government. In particular, some authorities are moving swiftly to take advantage of freedoms afforded by the end of the Comprehensive Area Assessment. No doubt, recent announcements around the future (or lack of future) for Children’s Trust Boards will prompt authorities to consider if their local Board has proved its worth. There are even rumours that the role of Director of Children’s Services might not survive. Insecurity about services and jobs is everywhere. Apparently, the word “challenge” is in danger of being severely over used locally.
However, this level of change is also being seen as a chance for senior managers to think again about how local authorities serve their communities. Using Total Place approaches, some are speaking to local people to find out what really makes local communities tick and to assess how well their own services can meet the needs of all the varied communities locally. Are there more effective and cheaper ways to improve outcomes for people?
Despite these numerous “challenges” I’ve been surprised by the level of pragmatic optimism in local authorities. Those who are passionate about literacy can see the fit between ideas of Big Society, localism and empowering individuals. Others have spoken about how decentralisation will free them up to focus on making a difference on the ground.
This is an important time for us all to think about how literacy fits into this new world. Many authorities working with us on Partners in Literacy are seizing this moment to brief senior managers about how their partnership approach to literacy offers a value for money way to address issues such as worklessness and poor educational attainment. They are arguing, not for more funding, but for a strategic approach to literacy which enables all local partners to work together in order to improve services and extend literacy support to the most vulnerable. If housing officers can consider literacy as part of their work are they becoming literacy outreach workers at no extra cost? And what does improving literacy mean for saving money on later interventions?
I’d be very interested to hear from anyone who is thinking about these issues, especially from a local perspective.
Emily McCoy, Manager, Partners in Literacy
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4 Comments
AlisonS replied on 17 Aug 2010 at 10:19
In a recent conversation mention was made of the role of Registrars of Births in steering illiterate parents towards proper name spellings and names that wouldn't prove a millstone for the rest of the child's life. I wonder whether Registrars featured in the survey feedback.
Emily.McCoy replied on 17 Feb 2011 at 22:04
Hi Alison,
Thanks for your comment...apparently this is the most read blog at the moment so perhaps we can encourage some silent readers to comment too!
I'm not aware that Registrars did respond to the survey last year, perhaps they didn't receive it, the survey went out to as wide a field as possible but they could have been missed...an opportunity for our local partners as the survey is out now.
Certainly universal "contact points" for parents like Registrars are a great chance for us to get positive messaging to parents. I know that in some areas they automatically enrol new babies to the library. Wouldn't it be great if new parents could be given Talk To Your Baby resources and information about local services? I'm thinking of the same approach adopted to hook parents in to Children's Centres at the point babies are brought to be weighed. This is exactly the kind of avenue we are looking into through Partners in Literacy. Has anyone out there tried to work with Registrars?
Thanks again Alison,
Emily McCoy
Antonio replied on 13 Jan 2011 at 12:08
Hi Emily,
Thanks for the very interesting post - I downloaded and read 'Partners in Literacy Survey 2009: A snapshot on local support for literacy' - it is also very interesting.
I'm curious to find out what role Youth Workers from statutory and voluntary services might be able to play in supporting people to develop their literacy skills.
All the best,
Antonio
Emily.McCoy replied on 17 Jan 2011 at 15:33
Hi Antonio,
Thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
I'd imagine that Youth Workers, like other local partners, often work with people who struggle with basic literacy. It would be interesting to hear from you how you think you could incorporate literacy support in your work (I'm guessing you're a Youth Worker!). But here are some suggestions:
* Give information on what local support there is e.g. free internet and wide range of materials at local libraries, free courses provided by Adult Education...
* Perhaps help them to access these services by giving the service providers a ring to find out more and offering to go with them
* Recognise the skills they already have and think about easy ways they could extend their literacy "habits" and develop skills e.g. if they are interested in motorbikes maybe looking for a magazine or book about that in the library
* Thinking about encouraging peer-to-peer support. We run a project called Reading Champions that is for boys in schools but might give you some tips (more via the Project pages on our website)
* Where possible looking for opportunities to get their families involved. Again this is aimed at schools but you might want to check out our Family Engagement Toolkit (via Reading Connects project page) for ideas
I hope this is useful but as I say you will have a better idea of how this would work for you! If you want to email me direct then please do emily.mccoy@literacytrust.org.uk
Best wishes,
Emily