Blogs

• 05May2011

  Literacy in the Big Society

  Posted by Jonathan Douglas

  The scope of the coalition Government’s reforms is becoming obvious: many of the structures, resources and frameworks which have supported our efforts to raise literacy standards over the past decade are gone or have been changed beyond recognition. In the past month we have seen the end of the National Strategies, the ongoing revision of the Curriculum and, for charities like the National Literacy Trust, the end of national government funding of programmes.

  Central government is redefining how it works with local services and the charitable sector. The Big Society is providing the policy framework for describing these changes.

  The National Literacy Trust needs to redefine our work in this very different context. There remains a fundamental commitment from government to address literacy but it now defines its role and partnership with charities like the National Literacy Trust very differently.

  In response to this challenge we have already launched a new network for schools and for early years settings which will offer increased support for literacy standards after the end of the National Strategies. We are also now offering conferences and Inset to schools.  

  On 16 May we will publish Local Authorities Improving Life Chances: A review of a new approach to raising literacy levels. This report offers a route map for everyone who is involved in planning and delivering local services in the new context and who is committed to addressing the increasingly urgent issue of low literacy.

  Over the last two years 21 local authorities have worked with the National Literacy Trust to raise literacy standards by increasing support for literacy in the homes of their most vulnerable families. This report contains the learning from this partnership and deals with the most important issue the Big Society agenda gives us the opportunity to address: the fact that the home learning environment, which is the most powerful lever for raising literacy levels, lies outside of public policy control. Can the new partnerships between the community, voluntary and charitable sector, and local services that are being encouraged by the new context impact on this?  

  The report suggests the answer is yes. Local authorities can add value by working effectively with community partners. By joining up services the local authorities in the report found new ways of supporting the home learning environment. Partnership with a national charity, the National Literacy Trust, enabled the approach, ensured it was built on research and facilitated local partnerships and initiatives using volunteers.

  This is very exciting stuff. We need to examine whether the Big Society offers a framework for new kinds of partnerships which might support literacy in the home and community based provision.

  This will be the key question addressed by the investigation into literacy and the Big Society policy programme which the National Literacy Trust will be taking forward over the coming months. We have just published a paper which reviews the evidence linking social capital and literacy and identifying new opportunities that the Big Society agenda may offer to address literacy. This will be followed by a series of round tables looking at the issue and a policy paper which will be published in September. 

  The challenge of addressing low literacy has never been so vital. Over the next few years the link between low literacy and poverty is likely to strengthen. The reduction of the public sector workforce, the increasing focus on employment as the solution to poverty and the reduction in welfare support mean that individuals and families with low literacy skills are even more vulnerable. The vital work of the National Literacy Trust needs to make the most of every opportunity we are offered. This must include engaging with Big Society. 

Tags: Policy

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