Integrated Adult Services
The European Commission defines Lifelong Learning as:
“All learning activity undertaken throughout life with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competencies within a personal, civic, social and / or employment-related perspective”.
The key purpose of this division of the Integrated Adult Services Directorate is to start a new era for learning and development, building on and complimenting the well established ‘needs based’ social model used within Adult Social Care. This will broadly follow the principles set out in documents such as the National Assembly for Wales “The Learning Country” but, will be driven by the local needs of individuals - taking into account issues such as the support to families and carers that will be necessary to make this possible.
The up-and-coming agenda for Lifelong Skills Development and Qualifications will need to draw on priorities identified with employment partners (business, commercial and public) to give a framework for post-school education, training and development. The emphasis will clearly be on life skills and employability.
A key component of this strategy will be Equalities and Opportunities for all. An inclusive approach, with a qualification centred framework, that whilst clearly employment focussed will also identify life skills and recognise the achievements of all learners throughout their lives.
It will include:
- Credit based qualifications e.g. NVQ and GNVQ
- Accreditation of informal learning
- Continual training and development via Individual development and Support plans.
- Options
- Learning Centres
- Basic Life skills
- Social Inclusion
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It will be essential to target specific client groups in order to respond to their individual needs. The service will also need to deliver a holistic agenda in order to have an economic impact.
- Young people between the ages of 16 and 25
- Teenage mothers
- Women returners
- Young men
- Council Employees
- Adults
- Unemployed
- Part Time Employees
- Full Time Employees
- Under represented groups (e.g. Ethnic Minorities)
- People with disabilities and learning difficulties
- People suffering from short and long term illnesses
- Local Business
- Volunteers
- Voluntary Organisations
- Senior Citizens
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The Lifelong Learning Division will need to co-ordinate a range of activities within the County Borough through the development of a range of partnerships.
In order to maximize opportunities for efficiencies and ensure integration of initiatives, in some instances a lead role is required whilst in others a more supporting role is suggested.
- Youth Service (The Extending Entitlement includes young people between 11 and 25 years of age)
- Objective 1 bid – Youth Engagement Project (submitted by Community Education
- Adult Education Service (Community Education)
- New Opportunities Fund ICT Programme (Community Education)
- Literacy and Numeracy Programme (Community Education)
- Local Authority Staff Development and Training Policy / Strategy / Operational Plans (in conjunction with Personnel)
- Social Care Workforce Development Plan (National Assembly grant supported)
- Qualification framework for Social Care (Social Care model that could apply across Authority)
- Build on assessment centre/recognised awarding body status within Adult Social Care.
- Local Health Alliance (co-ordination of support to families)
- New Deal (supporting role to Community based development)
- Objective 1 bid – Learning for Employment (supporting role to Community development)
- Neighbourhood Learning Centre – (supporting role to Community development)
- Lifelong Learning Campus/Centre- (clear link to ELWA)
- Merthyr Works initiative (in conjunction with Regeneration/Personnel}
- CCET Co-ordinator
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Key partners will include:
- Business Sector
- Voluntary Sector
- Other LA partners
- College/University
- ELWA
- CCET
- Job Centre Plus
- Department of Work and Pensions
It will be essential that ELWA have an integral role within the development of the Lifelong Learning Service in terms of continued support, guidance and funding.
Colleges and Universities have a brief to deliver Community Learning through outreach programmes. Lifelong Learning will need to take a lead role in identifying and referring students to Higher Education thus securing further additional resources.
The Community Consortium for Education and Training provides a mechanism for communication, sharing good practice, avoiding duplication and fostering joint funded initiatives through long term partnerships.
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For information on adult opportunties, please click on one of the headings in the left hand column or the link below.
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