Agenda item

Staffordshire Community Learning Service provided learning to residents aged 19+ through a range of formal and informal learning programmes across the county.  It supports and develops individuals and groups for whom formal learning may have been a barrier in the past and works with them to build confidence and realise potential.  Learning was delivered in part through the Direct Delivery Unit and 95% commissioned to a range of sub-contracted partners.

In response to the pandemic, the service had transferred a proportion of learning to online platforms to maintain services. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) (who fund the service) implemented some flexibilities due to the pandemic and had agreed not to recover an underspend of £391,325 which would be reinvested to support economic recovery.

The programme was focussed on upskilling and reskilling adults in a vocational context.  The services purpose was to improve peoples’ lives through lifelong learning and training leading to employment or increased personal fulfilment supporting the growth of Staffordshire’s economy and society.   Ambition and intent was demonstrated through a four year Community Learning and Commissioning Strategy and the Community Learning Framework (2019-23) and provided a range of programmes to meet the needs of Staffordshire residents. At a strategic level there was a strong intent to allocate provision across the county influenced by the local and regional priorities identified by the LEP and Skills Advisory Panel.

The pandemic had contributed to a significant reduction in learner enrolment and performance and had presented many challenges in terms of learner recruitment and engagement. In 2020-21 the Community Learning service were experiencing high volume visits to the webpage and their facebook page had experienced growth.  However, learner enrolment was down in this first term compared to last year but this was due to continued lockdown restrictions. The service continued to work with sub-contractors to develop their digital offer.

The service was dedicated to continuous improvement and had identified areas for further development.

The Cabinet Member acknowledged the significant challenge the pandemic had created for the Community Learning Service and their excellent achievement in responding to it. The case for a future blended offer of face to face and on line learning had been demonstrated.

The Head of Adult learning agreed that the future offer would be a blended approach, prioritising the most vulnerable learners. She said that family on-line learning and learning for children to catch up over the summer holidays were new offers.

A Member asked what support was available in terms of IT equipment to support learners. The Head of Adult Learning said that some retained funds and investments from sub contractors had enabled the service to respond to some need. There were some small grants for businesses to purchase digital equipment.  A Member suggested making more use of community buildings for face to face learning.    

In terms of learner progression – the learner journey would be monitored both transition and outcomes - with a starting point as the learner’s objective.  Paid employment was not always the desired outcome – this could be a community role, voluntary sector or just becoming a more confident citizen.

RESOLVED That the report be received, that the Community Learning Service be praised for their response to the challenges of the pandemic on delivery of their service and that future reports include information on appraisal of outcomes.