Appendix 1
Pre-VENT 14-19: draft business plan Bridgend 14 July 09
Pre-VENT 14-19
Draft Business Plan for Bridgend
It should be stressed that this draft remains subject to approval by Cabinet in their September 2009 meeting.
Rather than submitting the entire, bulky bid document, it was agreed with the Lead Partner that, in order to simplify and reduce the size of the document submitted, only the sections requiring completion by Bridgend (and other local authorities) should be completed. Consequently, the headings and page number references within the text in this document refer to generic headings in a template devised by WEFO.
p5 Financial profile (Advice from Lead Partner: To be completed after the final version of the business plans of joint sponsors has been considered).
p8 Following on from p7 What does the proposal aim to do and what activities will be undertaken?
It is well–established that low levels of literacy and numeracy hinder an individual from fulfilling his/her potential and contributing to society. The National Survey of Adult Basic Skills in Wales (2004) found that basic skills in Wales are poorer than in any English region, estimating that around 440,000 adults in Wales have ‘entry level’ literacy, whilst 990,000 adults in Wales have ‘entry level’ numeracy. This data suggests that this number of adults lack the basic skills necessary for good quality employment.
In Bridgend, there is evidence that standards of literacy and numeracy generally among young people need to improve among all young people at all levels. The Basic Skills Agency data from 2004 highlights that approximately 29% of the whole population in Bridgend have basic skills needs in literacy and 32% have basic skills needs in numeracy.
Bridgend has identified the need to address the skill levels of 14-19 year olds in a variety of policy documents. Creating Learning Communities and Children Today, Adults Tomorrow are two of the Council’s seven priority themes for action. Additionally, through the Children and Young People’s Partnership and the 14-19 Network, a wide range of partner organisations are committed to fulfilling the strategic intention and priorities identified in the Children & Young People’s Plan 2008-2011 and the 14-19 Annual Network Development Plan (ANDP). These include:
1. 14-19 year olds are provided with an extended range of more flexible learning programmes appropriate to their needs;
2. All young people are supported to attend school regularly and those who don’t or who are at risk of exclusion or are excluded, are catered for with good quality, relevant learning opportunities;
3. Young people are able to access the level of personal support, advice and information that is right for them.
A strategic priority in the 14-19 ANDP is the expansion, development and tracking of coordinated complementary curriculum provision in order to maximise access to and take-up of a range of enticing, varied and accredited options for young people, irrespective of their current setting. This priority aligns fully with the aims of this Pre-VENT intervention.
In relation to WAG’s Learning and Skills Measure, Bridgend is located in Band C, which means that the 14-19 Network must ensure that 30 Level 2 courses are available to all Key Stage 4 learners by 2012. All providers are committed to meeting this target and to additional post-16 demands of the emerging legislation. Evidence and data[1] from 2000 to 2005 shows that the NEETs figures for Bridgend vary between 4.4% and 9.2% of the Year 11 cohort, 1.6% and 2.7% of the Year 12 cohort and 2.9% and 8.6% of the Year 13 cohort[2]. Since 2005, the same source shows that for three of the four years from 2004 to 2008, there have been about 11% of NEETs in Bridgend[3], and in March 2008, the eleven schools/PRU identified a total of 171 potential NEETs in the 14-16 cohort currently in schools across the borough[4].
Using standardised Careers Wales measures[5], current 2008 figures show:
Total leavers’ cohort size / Achieving positive out-comes (i.e. in employment, education or training) / Unknown outcomes / Male NEETs / Female NEETs / Total NEETs / % cohort identified as NEETsYear 11 (statutory age) leavers / 1749 / 1539 / 33 / 79 / 61 / 140 / 8.339
Year 12 Cohort / 1021 / 934 / 48 / 18 / 15 / 33 / 3.413
Year 13 Cohort / 778 / 653 / 79 / 21 / 23 / 79 / 6.313
As confirmed by Careers Wales MGP, a challenge with the NEETs group is that it fluctuates over time as individuals who are unemployed enter employment, training or continuing education and those who are engaged in post-16 education and training leave prematurely to become unemployed.
The March 2006 Audit of curricular provision[6] identified that despite a good deal of effective work in this field in Bridgend:
‘Across all existing pathways there is evidence of a lack of effective communication between partners. As a result:
· Attendance, performance and achievements are not monitored or recorded;
· Some activities are duplicated;
· Potential NEETs are not systematically recognised and addressed.’
Likewise, Estyn identified that:
“Although schools provide information on the number of learners who leave at 16 without a qualification, very few of them routinely report the numbers who become NEETs[7].”
Bridgend’s Strategic Outline Programme to the WAG Transformation Agenda recognises that there are some cultural constraints which give rise to a poverty of aspiration and expectation across parts of the borough, in some cases reinforced by parental attitudes and lack of support. These can contribute to a self-fulfilling prophecy of low levels of aspiration. Strategies to address this form an important part of the plan which states that there is a need for a real step-change to ensure that the needs of all learners in the borough are appropriately met.
SMART Objectives / Targets
In the light of the above statistics and despite a range of innovative strategies being adopted, there remain a proportion of young people who are currently or are potentially at risk of becoming NEET.
Consequently, this proposed intervention has three key aims:
i. To raise the level of Basic Skills in the 14-19 age cohort across Bridgend County Borough to maximise engagement in learning and / or employment;
ii. To re-engage potential NEETs with learning through a multi-agency approach as a preventative measure;
iii. To re-engage existing NEETs with learning / employment through a multi-agency approach as a preventative measure to them becoming long-term NEETs and economically inactive.
This proposed intervention combines four key aspects:
i. broadening the access to and the take-up of a wider range of formal, non-formal and informal learner options which are better matched to learners’ needs (thereby developing self-confidence, raising self-esteem and promoting wellbeing);
ii. improving the strategic coordination of existing approaches to the management of NEETs across all partner organisations in the county borough through the development and implementation of a single, joined up NEETs strategy; and
iii. improving capacity for providing support, including advice and guidance, for young people who are potential or existing NEETS though the further development and application of learning coach functions across a range of formal and non-formal settings.
iv. providing funding:
a. to sustain a recently-developed, innovative and successful post-16 skills centre (Studio 34);
b. roll out this model to create a second, complementary centre in Maesteg, focusing on the development of basic and employability skills, and
c. to develop a cohesive package of non-formal learning programmes leading to accreditation, which will be managed by a consortium of local providers in the third sector / Youth Support Services.
The SMART objectives stated (for the overall 14-19 Pre-VENT initiative) for the sub-region are based on figures across the area provided by Careers Wales Mid-Glamorgan & Powys). They include:
S Specific targets to reduce NEET figures will be identified for the table on p16 of the regional draft.
M Measurable
These attainments will be measured by:
· The reduction in the number of NEETs, as above.
· Evidence of retention and progression within education / training. (Data from provider returns, PLASC, LLWR and Careers Wales Mid-Glamorgan Powys.)
· Rigorous criteria will be established at the outset to ensure commonality, consistency and accuracy of data in line with WEFO requirements.
It should be noted that the Pre-VENT 11-13 measure, with its key focus on developing basic skills, self-esteem and emotional literacy will impact upon KS3 learners within Bridgend. This will contribute significantly to engagement in learning and employment and will underpin increasing levels of skills and engagement. However, the 11-13 and the 14-19 strategy each targets different cohorts at different times. The importance of this 14-19 strategy is that, as a geographical area, Bridgend cannot simply wait for the 11-13 strategy to yield benefits. We must take preventative action now to support strategically the other initiatives underway for the cohort.
A The targets are in line with those stated by the above-named strategic bodies in Bridgend for learning.
R The targets are challenging yet considered achievable.
T The table outlining the target dates (see Strategic Objectives Excel table attached).
p15 Identification of posts.
Wide-ranging support from partners has already been given for a proposal along the following lines[8], but the exact nature of the range of learning opportunities already underway, the precise identification of all learning opportunities to be prioritised for this Pre-VENT intervention, and the specific nature of the support mechanisms offered by partners is not yet fully finalised. In order to raise the aspirations of young people, develop their basic skills and life skills and thus maximise their potential in society and in work, the partners in Bridgend recognise that in some settings, learning opportunities will be more informal and have a greater focus on supporting young people who are partially or fully outside of formal learning environments.
1. Within Bridgend, the programme will be managed by a Pre-VENT Inclusion / Complementary Learning Coordinator, supported by an administrative assistant.
Promoting and implementing parity of esteem across all settings will be key to the work of the Coordinator, and such a multi-agency mind-set will be a pre-requisite for the role. Through this strategy, the initiative will target both potential NEETs and existing NEETs. It is estimated that in the 14-16 age cohort, beneficiaries will be 75% potential NEETs and 25% existing NEETs and that in the 16-19 cohort, beneficiaries will be 25% potential NEETS and 75% existing NEETs (see diagrams p5).
2. An Administrative Officer will support the work of the Coordinator by, amongst other functions, ensuring the collection of data, servicing meetings, and liaising with learning providers.
3. A Finance Officer will ensure the necessary financial compliance and rigour.
4. 15 x Learning / Inclusion Coaches (LinCs) to support the work of the learning coach function already being undertaken across the area.
The Learning / Inclusion Coaches will, accordingly, be part of a two-track approach (potential NEETs 14-16 and existing NEETs 16+) to support learners across all settings. It is recognised that a flexible approach to the coaching function, in line with WAG’s most recent guidance, may mean that staffing is split across several projects or settings.
Staff undertaking the learning / inclusion coach function will comprise those working in a range of different settings – formal, non-formal and informal.
Bridgend has made significant progress with learners by adopting Learning Coach functions across the area. This includes professionals who do not necessarily have a learning coach title but who do, nevertheless, in line with WAG’s revised terminology, undertake a learning coach function.
p16 Identification of outputs
Projected number of 14-19 year olds by year from 2009 – 2011. (LEA statistics – naturally some of these Yr 10 and 11 learners will progress to other providers or work post-16):
2009 / Yr 10 / Yr 11 / Yr 12 / Yr 13Archbishop / 109 / 120 / 74 / 52
Brynteg / 285 / 310 / 215 / 172
Bryntirion / 163 / 175 / 87 / 83
Cynffig / 120 / 108 / 68 / 54
Maesteg / 171 / 217 / 114 / 80
Ogmore / 126 / 116 / 56 / 45
Pencoed / 169 / 188 / 91 / 75
Porthcawl / 217 / 235 / 148 / 109
Ynysawdre / 151 / 127 / 79 / 67
Total / 1511 / 1596 / 932 / 737
14-19 cohort total / 4776
2010 / Yr 10 / Yr 11 / Yr 12 / Yr 13
Archbishop / 119 / 107 / 71 / 54
Brynteg / 304 / 285 / 223 / 144
Bryntirion / 174 / 165 / 91 / 70
Cynffig / 125 / 121 / 67 / 46
Maesteg / 182 / 169 / 122 / 78
Ogmore / 89 / 126 / 58 / 40
Pencoed / 153 / 166 / 103 / 70
Porthcawl / 228 / 217 / 146 / 124
Ynysawdre / 134 / 153 / 72 / 53
Total / 1508 / 1509 / 953 / 679
14-19 cohort total / 4649
2011 / Yr 10 / Yr 11 / Yr 12 / Yr 13
Archbishop / 127 / 116 / 63 / 52
Brynteg / 340 / 303 / 204 / 150
Bryntirion / 205 / 175 / 85 / 74
Cynffig / 148 / 126 / 75 / 45
Maesteg / 191 / 180 / 94 / 82
Ogmore / 103 / 89 / 64 / 42
Pencoed / 178 / 150 / 91 / 79
Porthcawl / 227 / 227 / 136 / 122
Ynysawdre / 153 / 136 / 87 / 48
Total / 1672 / 1502 / 899 / 694
14-19 cohort total / 4767
2012 / Yr 10 / Yr 11 / Yr 12 / Yr 13
Archbishop / 121 / 124 / 68 / 46
Brynteg / 331 / 339 / 217 / 137
Bryntirion / 171 / 206 / 90 / 69
Cynffig / 127 / 150 / 78 / 50
Maesteg / 200 / 189 / 100 / 64
Ogmore / 117 / 103 / 103 / 45
Pencoed / 173 / 174 / 83 / 70
Porthcawl / 228 / 226 / 142 / 113
Ynysawdre / 142 / 155 / 78 / 59
Total / 1610 / 1666 / 959 / 653
14-19 cohort total / 4888
2013 / Yr 10 / Yr 11 / Yr 12 / Yr 13
Archbishop / 117 / 118 / 73 / 50
Brynteg / 311 / 329 / 243 / 146
Bryntirion / 163 / 172 / 106 / 73
Cynffig / 126 / 128 / 93 / 52
Maesteg / 193 / 198 / 105 / 68
Ogmore / 102 / 118 / 52 / 32
Pencoed / 152 / 170 / 96 / 63
Porthcawl / 232 / 227 / 141 / 119
Ynysawdre / 138 / 144 / 89 / 52
Total / 1534 / 1604 / 998 / 655
14-19 cohort total / 4791
While there are some slight variations, the average cohort size for Year 11 / end of KS4 / statutory leaving age is around 1500-1600 learners per year, of which around 150 are currently NEETs. With a rise in the projected cohort size, it is vital that this intervention is able to capitalise on preventing a proportionate rise in NEETs.