PPStep in to Learning

Improving the skills of parents and carers.

Improving the skills of health professionals.

A training and development programme for the health workforce.

1.1

PPLearning objectives

Delegates will be able to:• recognise the aims of the Skills for Life strategy• identify Step in to Learning training and development programme

as a key initiative in response to the Skills for Life strategy• recognise the benefits to children of parents’/carers’ improving

their literacy, language and/or numeracy skills.

1.2a

PPLearning objectives (continued)

• identify the key role that health professionals can play in encouraging parents/carers to improve their literacy, language and/or numeracy skills

• assess a range of strategies that health professionals can use to communicate effectively with parents/carers who may have literacy, language or numeracy needs

• signpost parents/carers to appropriate literacy, language, numeracy or family learning provision.

1.2b

PPProgramme outline

Step in to Learning training and development programme:

Module 1: Raising awareness and signposting

Module 2: Identification and support

1.3

PPTraining and development materials

Step in to Learning materials include:• two training modules for delegates• multimedia ‘Professional Development Resources’ to support the

cascade of training• guidance on introducing family literacy, language and/or numeracy

programmes.

1.4

PPWhat are adult literacy, language and/or numeracy skills?

• Reading• Writing• Speaking and listening• English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)• Numeracy

1.5

PPWhat do we mean by Skills for Life?

Skills for Life is the national strategy for improving adult literacy,language and numeracy skills.

‘Up to 7 million adults in England cannot read or write as well as theaverage 11-year-old: bad news for the adults and bad news for thenational economy. People with poor literacy, language or numeracyskills are less productive at work, earn less and are more likely tosuffer from ill health and social exclusion.’

(Skills for Life: The national strategy for improving adult literacy andnumeracy skills. Focus on delivery to 2007.)

ICT is now also recognised as a ‘skill for life’, but is not included in the remit ofthe Step programme.

1.6

PPSkills for Life: current position and government targets

Of the adults aged 16–65 in England:• 5.2 million adults, i.e. 16%, have literacy skills below Level 1• 6.8 million adults, i.e. 21%, have numeracy skills below Entry 3• 15 million adults, i.e. 47%, have numeracy skills below Level 1.

In 2008, the government will start to work towards its target that 95%

of adults will have functional literacy and numeracy skills by 2020.

1.7a

PPAims

From 2008/09 to 2010/11:

597,000 people of working age to achieve a first Level 1 (or above)literacy qualification

390,000 to achieve a first Entry Level 3 (or above) numeracyQualification

By 2010:

2.25 million adults will have improved basic literacy, language andnumeracy skills

For a local picture of skills levels in your area visit:www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/skillsforlifesurvey

1.7b

PPLevels of Skills for Life

• Improving the literacy, language and/or numeracy skills of adults• Improving skills up to Level 2• Level 2 = NVQ Level 2 = GSCE A*–C

1.8

PPLevel 2 literacy skills

Examples include:• make relevant contributions and help to move discussions forward• construct complex sentences• plan and draft writing• identify the points of view in a written argument• summarise information from longer documents.

1.9a

PPLevel 2 numeracy skills

Examples include:• calculate ratio and direct proportions• work out dimensions from scale drawings• solve problems involving 2D shapes and parallel lines• find and use mean, medians and modes• add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals up to three places.

1.9b

PPModule 1 Part 1 summary

A range of literacy, language and/or numeracy skills are needed for

everyday activities at work and in the community.

Skills for Life and Step in to Learning objectives can be met when

families are encouraged to improve their literacy, language and/or

numeracy skills and work towards qualifications.

When parents/carers improve their literacy, language and/or

numeracy skills, this can have a positive effect on their children’s

development; parents/carers can also access a range of services in

their community, e.g. training, employment and health services.

1.10

PPWhat are parents/carers entitled to from Skills for Life provision?

• Good-quality teaching• A full assessment of their learning needs and an individual learning

plan• A safe and healthy place to learn• Professional support to learn at the right level• Understanding of emotional and cultural needs as well as learning

needs• Equal opportunities and treatment• Opportunities to take nationally recognised qualifications• Advice about moving on to further learning or jobs• Free literacy, language and numeracy provision, up to and including

Level 2 qualifications• Confidentiality

1.11

PPWho offers Skills for Life provision?

• Further education colleges• Local authorities – adult education or lifelong learning services• Sure Start local programmes or children’s centres• Community provision• learndirect centres• Training providers• Voluntary groups

1.12

PPFamily literacy, language and numeracy courses provide:

• motivation for parents/carers to improve their skills in order to support their children

• an effective way of improving the skills of children and parents/carers

• opportunities for some parents/carers and staff and managers to develop their skills and knowledge together.

1.13a

PPFour contexts

Joint time – time together

Parent/carer time

Child time

Home-time activities

1.13b

PPExamples of FLLN programmes

Early Start

Family Health

Play and Language

Family Finance

Family Numeracy

Family Literacy

1.13c

PPSteps on the route to parents/carers learning independently

Taster session such as ‘Play and Language’

Information for parents/carers about provision and support from

visitors from Skills for Life providers

A short family literacy course, e.g. Early Start

A group visit to a local provider such as an FE college

1.14a

PPSteps on the route to parents/carers learning independently (cont’d)

A short course offered locally. such as first aid

An ICT course such as ‘ICT for beginners’

Specific ‘key skills/functional skills’ or job-related training such as

assertiveness training

A nationally recognised accredited course, such as Family Health,

Literacy or Family Numeracy

A course related to child care, such as Getting Started

1.14b

PPEnd-of-module summary

Effective signposting:• encourages parents/carers to brush up their skills• offers parents/carers support to get back into learning• identifies good quality learning opportunities• helps parents/carers to take the first steps to develop their literacy,

language and numeracy skills.

1.15