Adult Guidance – Policy Developments in England

1. Adult Guidance – Policy Developments in England Presentation by Millar MacDonald – Department for Education & Skills, England & Patsy Smith MBE Dublin - 30 April 2004

2. 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

3. 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 Lewis Minister for Adult Skills

4. 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

6. 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.

7. Skills Strategy Specific IAG Objectives The 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. The NationalStandard the matrix quality standard for information, advice and guidance services

17. 10 Key Elements • 5 Delivery of the Service elements; with • 24 delivery criteria • 5 Management of the Service; with • 28 management criteria

18. 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

19. 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 Continuous quality improvement The Journey

20. Request for Assessment Assessor Appointed Review Decision and Feedback Planning On Site Visit The Journey matrix Assessment and Accreditation Process

21. 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.

23. 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