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An LSC Consultation Paper on Reforming the Funding and
Planning Arrangements for First Steps, Personal and Community
Development Learning for Adults
September 2004
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Summary of the LSC's paper
Also see...
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The NLT response to the consultation
The National Literacy Trust welcomes the LSC proposals,
which attempt to address the shortcomings of current
funding arrangements for non-accredited and 'first steps'
learning through a more coherent framework for planning
and funding. However, we believe that an additional
Community-focused Learning category would better support
partnership working - including with the voluntary and
community sector - which is vital for engaging at risk
adults in learning. Download
the full response here (Word document)
The policy context for
literacy and social inclusion
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The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) acknowledged that the
system of funding adult learning that does not lead to external
accreditation needed reforming. It consulted on proposed reforms
to make better use of public funds so that more low-skilled
adults engage in learning, improve their confidence and skills,
and perhaps progress to achieving qualifications. The consultation
stated that there would be a continuing priority to help those
most in need due to economic disadvantage and the risk of
social exclusion.
The intention was to remove unnecessary boundaries between
different types of provider and planning and funding arrangements.
This would involve integrating funding for Adult and Community
Learning (ACL), which previously went directly to local education
authorities, into the rest of the learning and skills sector,
removing disparities in the scale, funding and quality of
provision.
The consultation document contains proposals for implementing
a 'safeguard' for a varied range of learning opportunities
for personal fulfilment, community development and active
citizenship, in recognition, reflected in the Skills Strategy,
that learning has wide social and personal benefits too, as
well as skills learning for employment.
There are two proposed categories for funding non-accredited
learning:
a) Skills for Life: learning
to improve basic skills of literacy, numeracy and/or English
for speakers of other languages. This includes family literacy,
language and numeracy work.
b) Skills for Work: learning
to develop skills for paid or voluntary work to enhance learners'
employability.
c) First Steps: learning offered
at the original entry point into learning in which learners
are actively encouraged and supported to progress to other
forms of learning. This includes wider family learning. First
Steps is for learners who do not have a Level 2 qualification.
d) Skills for Independent Living:
learning to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding
of adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.
a) Learning for Personal Development
and Well Being where there is no requirement that learners
must progress to other learning.
b) Learning for Active Citizenship
and Community Development which covers community-based
learning with local residents and others, to improve learners'
skills, knowledge and understanding for community participation
and involvement, including that required for social and community
action.
Some activities previously supported through the ACL grant,
including grants for voluntary organisations, community capacity
building and cross area partnership staff, will be reviewed
by local LSCs on an individual basis. The intention is to
include them into Local Intervention and Development funding.
The LSC consultation document is no longer available, but
for a summary of all the responses to the consultation, visit
www.lsc.gov.uk
Download
the NLT response (Word document)
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