Community & Family learning Service ESOL

In 2011, providers in receipt of an Adult Education Budget - Community Learning allocation will be expected to work in line with the ESFA policy objectives set out in the New Challenges New Chances (published in December 2011) page 13-14 relevant to Community Learning. Purpose of Government Supported Community Learning: • Maximise access to community learning for adults, bringing new opportunities and improving lives, whatever people's circumstances. • Promote social renewal by bringing local communities together to experience the joy of learning and the pride that comes with achievement. • Maximise the impact of community learning on the social and economic well-being of individuals, families and communities. Objectives • Focus public funding on people who are disadvantaged and least likely to participate, including in rural areas and people on low incomes with low skills • Collect fee income from people who can afford to pay and use where possible to extend provision to those who cannot. • Widen participation and transform people's destinies by supporting progression relevant to personal circumstances, e.g. improved confidence and willingness to engage in learning - acquisition of skills preparing people for training, employment or self-employment - improved digital, financial literacy and/or communication skills - Parents/carers better equipped to support and encourage their children's learning - Improved/maintained health and/or social well-being. • Develop stronger communities, with more self-sufficient, connected and pro-active citizens, leading to: o increased volunteering, civic engagement and social integration o reduced costs on welfare, health and anti-social behaviour o increased online learning and self-organised learning o the lives of our most troubled families being turned around • Commission, deliver and support learning in ways that contribute directly to these objectives, including: o bringing together people from backgrounds, cultures and income groups, including people who can/cannot afford to pay o using effective local partnerships to bring together key providers and relevant local agencies and services o devolving planning and accountability to neighbourhood/parish level, with local people involved in decisions about the learning offer involving volunteers and Voluntary and Community Sector groups, shifting long term, 'blocked' classes into learning clubs, growing self-organised learning groups, and encouraging employers to support informal learning in the workplace o supporting the wide use of online information and learning resources o minimising overheads, bureaucracy & administration The Council's Community and Family Learning (CFL) has agreed to provide the grant of £35,000 (the 'Grant') to the Provider for the delivery of a minimum of 16 programmes to 120 learner numbers. The Provider is willing to deliver the programmes to the learners in return for the Grant.