Hampshire County Council

Adult and Community Learning

Strategic Commissioning Plan 2015–17

(Version 2, May 2016)

Hampshire County Council

Adult and Community Learning

Strategic Commissioning Plan

Contents / Page
1 / Introduction / 3
2 / Context of the Hampshire Futures Offer / 4
3 / Outcomes for 2016-17 / 8
4 / Applications and Funding / 9
5 / Learning Categories / 13
6 / Remissions, Learner Support, Accreditation, Referrals / 13
7 / Leadership and Management / 14
8 / Safeguarding and Prevent Duty / 15

1. Introduction

This Adult and Community Learning (ACL) Plan outlines the requirements and approach of Hampshire County Council to achieve its strategic and organisational objectives and targets for 2015–2017. It details the type and extent of ACL activities that Hampshire County Council, in conjunction with its key partners, is seeking to secure for 2015-2017. The purpose of this document (Version 2, May 2016) is to describe the Council’s plans and proposals relating to ACL for the 2016/17 programme.

The Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Department has established its plans for the reform of further education and the adult and community learning sector within the document: New Challenges, New Chances. The reforms, outlined in the document, will have long-term effects and, as a result of new funding and strategic directions, will have an impact on future aspects of delivery of ACL activities in Hampshire. The importance of responding to issues and challenges such as: enhanced community engagement; investing in skills; fee income; promotion of health and wellbeing; and employment; as well as supporting learning in areas of greatest need, are parts of the reform of ACL.

Within its Skills Funding Statement 2012-15 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) outlined the range of funding aims and objectives it intends to secure within the post-16 sector. It is also important to acknowledge that the Skills Funding Agency is the government body that manages the BIS funding allocation, which in turn funds Hampshire County Council. The Skills Funding Agency has established the terms of all of its learner programmes funding procedures and protocols within its key Funding Rules document. The Skills Funding Agency has issued new funding rule for 2016/17 Adult Education Budget, however this does not include ACL therefore Hampshire County Council will continue to deliver and earn funding for ACL in the funding year 2016-2017 in the same way as the funding year 2015-2016.

The Government recognises the benefits of ACL for personal development, civic participation, mental/physical health, digital inclusion and community involvement. Importantly, ACLshould include both ‘targeted’ and ‘universal’ offer of learning for those in disadvantaged areas, as well as for those who engage in learning for personal development. Widening participation, motivating disadvantaged groups and creating progression pathways, which include skills-focussed learning, training and employability activities, are also priorities.

Progress on this reform includes:

i) A commitment to the recognition of ACL and the commitment to Family Learning. The Government has recognised the need for locally focussed and delivered activity which is flexible and relevant to each learner. There will also be the need for more programmes, courses or other learning opportunities which combine maths, English or language skills with digital, health, financial or civic capabilities. There will also be the need for more innovative learning programmes which combine funding from different statutory organisations which could be delivered less formally and, in partnership with learning providers.ACL should be supporting the Government’s strategy to provide adults with the opportunities to improve their maths and English skills, which will in turn have impact on families, our society and our economy. There will be an expectation that all types of programmes embed maths and English skills and Hampshire Futures will provide training as a support to tutors.

ii) Pound Plus

ACL providers will be expected to continue to add value to the public contribution (via Skills Funding Agency) by attracting additional revenue and making cost savings. In particular ACL providers are required to:

  • Lever-in additional funding, e.g. through fee income, sponsorship, grants, funding from other government departments and/or commercial sales;
  • Secure savings, e.g. from contributions in kind, volunteer activities, sharing services and/or pooling resources

iii)Outcome Based Success Measures

The Government carried out a Consultation in 2014 to consider the introduction of outcome based success measures in further education. Outcome based success measures are designed to measure what is really important in further education – the outcome for the learner. This Consultation highlighted that prospective learners, and those that advise them, understand the impact learning and qualifications can have on job prospects, earning potential and the likelihood of securing higher level skills. The real value of vocational education is whether learners make progress into or within employment or further learning. The proposed three measures are:

  • learner destinations (into further learning, and into or within employment)
  • learner progression (progression to a higher level qualification)
  • earnings (following completion of learning)

In their response to the consultation they have identified that ACL will be included in the outcome measures. There are a number of issues to explore further and they will consult on the detail of, and timetable for, using and publishing the measures as part of a new accountability framework. Hampshire Futures will update providers with key information, when available.

2. Context of the Hampshire Futures Offer

2.1. Characteristics of Hampshire

Hampshire County Council, via its Children’s Services Department, is strategically committed to support an inclusive and innovative ACL programme for Hampshire residents in 2015-2017.

Factors considered in the development of strategic priorities for ACL, and in determining the shape and delivery of provision within Hampshire, include:

  • the county of Hampshire has a population of approximately 1.3 million people
  • the population is ageing and 26% is aged over 60
  • 92% of the population is deemed to be ‘White British’
  • areas within Havant, Gosport, Rushmoor and the New Forest fall within the 20% most deprived areas in England
  • areas within Havant, Test Valley, New Forest and Fareham fall within the 20% most deprived for Education and Skills
  • Havant has the highest proportion of working age adults with no qualifications (14.7%) followed by Gosport (9.3%) and East Hampshire (7.1%)
  • across the county 21% of residents do not possess qualifications at Level 2 or above
  • 15% of the population is estimated to be disabled
  • As of April 2016 the unemployed claimant count for the Hampshire Economic Area was10,280 of which 4,840
  • The number of long term unemployed benefit claimants (claiming over 12 months) is 1,770 for April 2016.. The median duration in weeks that all claimants spent on JSA (only) for April 2016 is 16.0 weeks. This is 2.1 weeks more time spent on JSA (only) thanthe 13.9 weeks recorded in April 2015
  • The number of 16-24 year olds on unemployment benefit is 1,180.( 0.9%.) – April 2016
  • Priority areas for supporting people back to work are Havant, Gosport, Rushmoor, Eastleigh and Basingstoke

2.2. Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council will respond to existing and emerging adult learning-based government initiatives that will impact across the county. Alongside the New Challenges, New Chances programme, Hampshire County Council will respond to related policy initiatives such as the broader adult skills and employment agenda, the Work Programme, Traineeships and the Apprenticeships Implementation Plan as part of the Hampshire Youth Investment Programme.

Our programme also corresponds directly with the Hampshire County Council Strategic Plan 2013-17 (‘Shaping Hampshire – modern public services for the future’) which sets out the corporate objectives. The Plan has four key themes:

  • Health and wellbeing – our aim is to improve health and wellbeing for all
  • Economy – our aim is to promote economic prosperity and protect the environment Provide opportunities for all to develop the skills needed to play a full part in Hampshire’s economic success
  • Communities – our aim is to work with communities to enhance local services
  • Efficiency – our aim is to deliver high quality, cost-effective public services implementing new models of service delivery, ensuring that resources are targeted to where they are most needed

2.3. Hampshire Futures

The Hampshire Futures service supports the ‘Shaping Hampshire’ priorities and the aspirations of the ‘Children and Young People’s Plan’ by working to support young people and adults in Hampshire to achieve economic wellbeing and quality of life. Based in Children’s Services, Hampshire Futures has responsibility for the adult and community learning funding, commissioning and delivery, alongside Post 16 Participation; Outdoor Education, PE and Sport, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Careers and Employability.

Hampshire Futures service aims are to:

  • ensure that all young people, including the most vulnerable, make a successful transition to adult life
  • ensure schools and education providers are able to support all young people to participate, succeed and progress
  • ensure adults have the skills they need to access employment and progress in the labour market
  • support employers to have access to a skilled workforce that they need to meet their current and future business needs

These aims support the priorities of Hampshire’s Children and Young People’s Plan which sets the direction and priorities for services for children, young people and families in the county. A priority is to narrow the gap between those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged and their peers. Additionally, Hampshire Futures will take into consideration all Council departments and will complement learning activities undertaken by service areas in locations such as libraries and museums, community centres and with older people, the disabled and the digitally excluded.

The ACL programme will support extra curricular provision in schools, children’s centres and early-years settings, providing enhanced adult learning benefits for Hampshire residents. It will assist learners to make more informed choices, providing options which allow them to develop the skills they need to function in society; progress into vocational learning and employment; and contribute more effectively in work and within the community. It will be targeted to support the attainment and life chances of adults and young people who are disadvantaged, whilst continuing to address the needs of the wider community, including older people and those learning for personal development, and providing opportunities to improve health, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Hampshire Futures will secure high quality learning provision with learning providers, at venues across the county to ensure a wide range of area-based learning opportunities which support learning, skills and personal development for adults and young people to meet the needs of employers, communities and individuals.

2.4.Partnerships

Hampshire Futures is committed to actively supporting partnership working with other key organisations and will seek to share expertise and resources and work alongside a range of local and national organisations to support the delivery of our priorities.

Hampshire Futures will also contribute to the aims of the sub-regional economic growth drivers, working to support the skills needs of growth sectors and the key strategic aims of the Local Enterprise Partnerships and the City Deal.

Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership

Covering 14 district areas in Surrey and Hampshire (Basingstoke and Deane; East Hampshire; Hart and Rushmoor; New Forest; Test Valley and Winchester) the EM3 LEP brings together private, public and not-for-profit sectors to create the conditions for driving sustainable economic growth. Key priorities relating to skills and employability include developing entrepreneurial culture and skills in the further and higher education sectors; promoting Apprenticeships and encouraging and enhancing labour force mobility through cross sector skills matching. The aim is to increase the supply of skills especially at higher levels, to meet the needs of current and future business growth. This growth is expected to be concentrated in sectors such as defence, ICT including digital media and cyber security, pharmaceuticals, professional services and the visitor economy.

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership

Covering the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, and the districts of Havant, Gosport, Fareham, Eastleigh, Test Valley, New Forest and the Isle of Wight. Key sectors are advanced manufacturing and engineering (including marine, aerospace, renewable energy, environmental technologies and composites) together with supporting transport and logistics. There are four key priorities for skills in the Solent LEP area; developing world class skills; effective transitions to employment; raising business investment in skills and developing a responsive skills and employment system to meet the needs of business and individuals

Southampton and Portsmouth City Deal

The Southampton and Portsmouth City Deal aims to maximise the economic strengths of the two cities and the wider Solent area, by supporting growth in the area’s key economic sectors. Alongside proposals to unlock employment and housing sites in the two cities, is a package of skills, labour market and business support initiatives, including a focus on getting young people and the long term unemployed back into work.

By promoting progression pathways and future opportunities for learners, the Hampshire Futures ACL offer will address long-term and defined local LEP objectives to ‘invest in skills that help to establish a pattern of growth’ and also ‘ensure local residents are better qualified and equipped to take up jobs that are created’. ACL funding for LEP’s is described on a co-terminus basis within Section 4 of this document.

2.5 Quality Assurance

Hampshire Futures quality assurance processes will align with Ofsted’s Common Inspection Framework; education, skills and early years and any subsequent updates, and the quality requirements of relevant Awarding Organisations.

Hampshire County Council would not be looking to enter into agreements with any provider that, due to poor success rates for relevant provision, has been issued with a "Notification to Improve" by the Skills Funding Agency or that received an "Inadequate" (Grade 4) from Ofsted at their most recent Inspection.

2.6. Priorities for 2015-2017

Hampshire Futures ACL offer aims to deliver varied and innovative learning opportunities across a broad spread of venues, including co-location of delivery. The overall priorities for 2015-2017 are to:

  • provide both a universal and targeted offer and support learning where needs are greatest
  • improve essential skills for learners to progress to further learning, paid/unpaid work and involvement in the community
  • improve maths and English skills for learners by offering specific maths and English courses and by embedding maths and English in all other curriculum areas
  • improve recruitment of learners from particular equality groups eg those with learning difficulties and disabilities; males; minority ethnic groups; unemployed 19-25 year olds
  • support unemployed and low-skilled people improve skills and confidence to prepare them for training, employment and self employment
  • provide opportunities for Hampshire residents to improve digital communication skills
  • forge enhanced integration with other policy areas that cover: community engagement, employment, skills enhancement, and digital inclusion; and respond to the objectives of the two regional LEPs and the City Deal
  • provide greater alignment with existing Hampshire County Council and particularly Children’s Services Department provisionwithin schools and children’s centres and support Hampshire Futures objectives and priorities as reflected in the ‘Shaping Hampshire’ plan
  • enable parents and children to learn together and for parents to develop confidence to support their children’s learning
  • maintain a broad and innovative range of learning opportunities for personal fulfilment and improved health and wellbeing, including courses leading to qualifications and accredited outcomes
  • secure high quality learning provision which meets local needs as defined by local partnership delivery plans, enabling joint working, avoiding duplication and sharing best practice
  • secure provision that contributes to outcomes and data reporting requirements and offers value for money
  • support community development by ensuring that voluntary and community groups and community organisations can support informal learning activities and create progression routes for people who want to move to more formal learning, and by enabling organisations within the voluntary and community sector to build capacity to reach people who are furthest away from learning and employment.

3. Outcomes for 2016-17

Hampshire Futures will provide successful targeted and universal learning opportunitiesin 2016-17 funding year, with the following outcomes:

  • Hampshire Thrives

3,302 learners to take part in targeted programmes to support family learning, English and maths skills, digital inclusion, community cohesion, health and wellbeing.

  • Hampshire Works

1,546 learners to take part in targeted programmes to support adult learners (19+) in receipt of JSA and ESA to access employment, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including English and maths skills.

  • Hampshire Learns

10,482 learners to take part in non-targeted universal ACL programmes, including leisure learning, funded through a ‘Pound Plus’ policy.

The total expected outcomes in terms of learner numbers for the ACL Service are as follows:

Adult and Community Learning
Type / Programme / Learners
Targeted adult learning / Hampshire Thrives / 3,302
Hampshire Works / 1,546
Universal adult learning / Hampshire Learns / 10,482
Total Learners / 15,330

4. Applications and Funding