Adult Guidance – Policy Developments in England

Presentation by

Millar MacDonald – Department for Education & Skills, England & Patsy Smith MBE

Dublin - 30 April 2004

Introduction

   Policy Aims – The role of guidance in lifelong learning Policy Aims – Providing an “integrated IAG service” for adults Access to Guidance – Delivering an “integrated IAG service” for adults  Access to Guidance - Issues for longer term development

Origins

‘ Provision of high quality information, advice and guidance services is going to be one of the key factors in driving up adult skill levels in Britain’

Ivan Lewis Minister for Adult Skills

Role of Guidance in Lifelong Learning

To:  promote understanding of the value of lifelong learning;  motivate adults to plan their careers and make informed choices about learning throughout life; and  help adults to identify and address barriers to entry, completion, attainment and progression in learning

Skills Strategy and Reform of IAG

5 policy objectives

 A clear, coherent and consistent offer.

  Visibility and Accessibility - Clients know how to gain entry to services.

Coherence in delivery services are “joined up” from the client’s perspective, with quick and easy access and referral.

 High quality wherever IAG is delivered to adults.

 Clear evidence of impact and achievement.

Skills Strategy Specific IAG Objectives

The Skills Strategy gives four objectives for the reform of IAG, to :  integrate the learndirect national advice service with the work of local IAG services;  define the range of IAG services which adults should be entitled to expect, and the standards to which those services should be delivered, and to support this with a clear national brand and national and local LSC marketing;  ensure all LSC funded IAG providers are accredited against the matrix Standard for information, advice and guidance services; and  work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to draw together the labour market information that employers and individuals require to make choices about learning and work and to improve the availability of on-line labour market information, and to develop training for IAG practitioners in using labour market information.

Delivering an Integrated IAG Service



VISIBLE -

a new national brand for IAG 

ACCESSIBLE -

accessed users will be directed to the full range of IAG provision to meet their needs; a ‘no wrong door approach’ wherever the service is 

INTEGRATED -

seamless transfer between local face to face services and the national helpline; an integrated national and local service with 

CLARITY -

a service entitlement clearly communicated to the public through national and local marketing; 

CONSISTENT -

all LSC funded organisations will deliver to common standards of service; and 

DIFFERENTIATED SERVICE –

targeted groups.

for those below level 2 and in other

Definition of Services

Access to a core range of services, available nationally through a combination of:  Freephone service available 8am-10pm 7 days a week;  Centres for information available minimum 5 days a week; and  On line services and outreach provision

National priority groups include

:

 Adults NVQ 2/3  More people under age 30 entering HE  Basic skills, literacy, numeracy or ESOL needs  Inactive benefit claimants and those claiming Jobseekers allowance

Local priority groups include:

 Lone parents  Labour market returners  Areas of high unemployment/social deprivation  Remote areas  People aged 50+  People at risk of becoming unemployed

Impact Measures

 Targets and performance indicators focusing on the impact on participation in learning; and  An evaluation strategy to assess the impact on retention and progression in learning

Ensuring Quality

     All LSC funded IAG providers will be accredited to

matrix

and subject to LSC performance review; There will be a customer entitlement to services to be delivered to consistent standards; Measurement of the impact of services towards the achievement of both local and national targets; A national resource and development centre will be established to support professional development, develop resources and innovative approaches to service delivery; and Customer satisfaction will be monitored at national and local level.

Funding & Targets for 2003-04

IAG Programme funding £60.25m (approx 90 m euros)

LSC Local IAG Provision:

    2.5 million information episodes; 350, 000 individuals below NVQ L2 or equivalent receive advice; 95% penetration against matrix National Standard; and KPI of 40% below NVQ L2 or equivalent progress into learning or work

learndirect IA Service:

5 million service users of which:  350, 000 individuals below L2 service receive advice; and  Accredited against the matrix Standard

The National Standard

the

matrix

quality standard for information, advice and guidance services

10 Key Elements



5 Delivery of the Service elements; with



24 delivery criteria



5 Management of the Service; with



28 management criteria

Applies in contexts such as:

 helping employees to make informed choices about their learning and development  helping students in further and higher education and training to identify suitable opportunities for learning and work  Supporting young people in engaging with society and developing themselves  Providing support to communities to help people who are disadvantaged overcome the barriers to learning and work  Assisting jobless people to prepare for and find employment

The Journey

STEP 1

Make the decision and commitment to the matrix Standard

STEP 2

Review your current practices and seek the help of an Adviser as required

STEP 3

Develop an Action Plan and review with an Adviser as required

STEP 4

Implement your Plan and prepare for assessment with the help of an Adviser as required

STEP 5

Assessment, feedback and accreditation

STEP 6

Accreditation. Congratulations

STEP 7

Identify development activities in your continuous improvement plan

STEP 8

Every two years – formal assessment and re accreditation

The Journey

matrix Assessment and Accreditation Process Request for Assessment Review Assessor Appointed Decision and Feedback Planning On Site Visit

Helps organisations to:

 Ensure consistency and clarity in their provision of IAG;  Provide a quality benchmark against which to check performance;  Manage processes more efficiently and effectively;  Gain the confidence of staff and thereby raise morale and motivation; and  Gain valuable recognition through a rigorous accreditation process.

NATIONAL IAG BOARD DfES

(ALAD, HE, ABSSU, HE, CSNU)

DWP DTI

(Worktrain, JC+) (SBS) LSC High Level Strategic Partnership Board National Resource & Development Centre

learndirect

Helpline & Website Local Local Advice Line & Website

UK Website References

          Skills Strategy – www.dfes.skillstrategy.gov.uk

National Policy Framework -

matrix

Standard – www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/iag www.matrix-quality-standard.com

learndirect helpline IA Service – Connexions Service – www.learndirect.co.uk

www.connexions.gov.uk

skillsformedia Worktrain – www.skillsformedia.com

www.worktrain.gov.uk

Department for Employment & Learning, Northern Ireland – www.delni.gov.uk

Careers Scotland – Careers Wales – www.careers-scotland.org.uk

www.careerswales.com