Adult Guidance – Policy Developments in England

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

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

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 – for those below level 2 and in other targeted groups.

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 7

Identify development activities in your continuous improvement plan

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 8

Every two years – formal assessment and re-accreditation

The Journeymatrix Assessment and Accreditation Process

Planning

On Site Visit

Decision and Feedback

ReviewAssessor

Appointed

Request for Assessment

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 BOARDDfES DWP DTI

(ALAD, HE, ABSSU, HE, CSNU) (Worktrain, JC+) (SBS)

LSC High Level Strategic

Partnership BoardNational

Resource & Development

Centre

Local

Local Advice Line& Website

learndirectHelpline &Website

UK Website References

Skills Strategy – www.dfes.skillstrategy.gov.uk National Policy Framework - www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/iag matrix Standard – www.matrix-quality-standard.com learndirect helpline IA Service – www.learndirect.co.uk Connexions Service – www.connexions.gov.uk skillsformedia - www.skillsformedia.com Worktrain – www.worktrain.gov.uk Department for Employment & Learning, Northern Ireland –

www.delni.gov.uk Careers Scotland – www.careers-scotland.org.uk Careers Wales – www.careerswales.com