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Hampshire County Council

Lifelong Learning Strategy

What is Lifelong Learning?

Lifelong Learning can be any learning that helps to develop our knowledge, understanding and skills throughout our lives. It includes the experience of education at school, but goes well beyond this to include many different types of learning. For example, family learning, adult learning, training at work, college courses, degrees or learning something in your own home. We all continue to learn throughout our lives and learning is not confined to the classroom.

It may be for enjoyment and personal satisfaction, as a personal interest, or it may be to develop key skills, or to help with employment. It may or may not involve studying for a qualification, but is likely to have a clear goal or purpose.

Lifelong Learning starts early in life and needs nurturing as a preparation for future learning opportunities. It values learning for learning's sake and for enjoyment and should be available to all. It has the capacity to be life enhancing, and can empower people in their lives at work and as active citizens contributing to the prosperity of their communities.

Lifelong Learning is a term often misunderstood. Sometimes it is used to mean all forms of learning except formal education. However, in the context of this strategy, lifelong learning is used to mean ALL learning, from pre birth to very old age, both formal and informal. As such, a wide range of organisations are involved in the delivery of lifelong learning to the people of Hampshire, in addition to the County Council.

This Strategy aims to provide a framework for the role of the County Council in the development of opportunities for lifelong learning in Hampshire. Its purpose is to raise the profile and importance of learning, to increase motivation for learning and to seek the continuous improvement of services.

The Vision

This statement is wholly consistent with the County Council's corporate aims in `Developing quality of life for everyone', and in mirroring the County Council's Strategy for Education, `Maximising opportunities through education.' It shares clear common ground with `Enjoying Hampshire', the Cultural Strategy for the County, and with the Community Strategy for Hampshire, `Shaping our future together'.

There is a diverse range of learning provision of high quality within Hampshire which provides an excellent baseline for the strategic plan. However, Lifelong Learning is much bigger than one organisation. Hampshire County Council's role will be to work in partnership with others to develop coherent provision.

The Strategy is about everyone in Hampshire having access to good quality learning opportunities. It is therefore imperative that Hampshire County Council reflects upon its own role in this process in order to provide better services for others.

Hampshire County Council sees itself developing as a "Learning Authority" i.e. one which consists of people who are able to challenge and change things, who look for new perspectives on matters and who can adapt their thinking and behaviour in the management of change. It is actively encouraging and enabling its own work force, and those with whom it works, to engage in learning. It expresses the importance of such learning through its actions, and is reflective and responsive to suggestions for improvement.

Hampshire County Council encourages a `culture of learning' throughout the organisation. This is reflected in its re-award of `Investors in People' and in the development of the Hampshire Learning Centre and the Hampshire Teaching and Leadership College. At all levels, the County Council will engage with service users in ways which value learning and which lead to self empowerment.

The Strategy

At the heart of the County Council's strategy for Lifelong Learning lies the principle of `working in partnership' with other providers in the best interests of learners.

Others supply a range of services to support lifelong learning, requiring the County Council to work and collaborate with them to secure the best quality services for our local communities. Through this Strategy, the intention is to optimise the County Council's resources for lifelong learning. Further significant benefits arise from pooling resources with other organisations and working through partnerships.

The Strategy should give clarity and direction to the County Council's priorities for lifelong learning, which will help inform and develop the work with partners. The County Council recognises its role in providing leadership to develop lifelong learning, but by working with and through others. It will strive to foster co-operation and partnership between service providers both internally (within the County Council) and externally. This will be central to the effective delivery of lifelong learning and in meeting local community needs as identified through the Hampshire Community Strategy.

In providing clarity and direction to the County Council's priorities for lifelong learning, the Strategy can help maximise the benefits of partnership working:-

The Strategy is set out under six headings:-

· Co-operation and Partnership

· Seamless Provision and Ease of Access

· Leadership

· Communication and Consultation

· Developing Quality, Increasing Capacity, Improving Provision

· Use of Resources

The outcomes and objectives under each of these headings will be achieved through the implementation of a range of actions, which are detailed within an improvement plan.

1. Co-operation & Partnership

This aim will be achieved through the following objectives and actions:-

· Effective communication, collaboration and partnership with external providers, particularly those in the Further Education Sector, Borough and District Councils and with Voluntary Sector groups;

The actions to support this objective include:

- working and establishing effective links with partners using local strategic partnership's community learning forums, particularly to highlight the role of education in community regeneration.

- encouraging collaboration with Further Education Colleges in the planning of Family Learning, basic skills and Adult Learning opportunities thus enabling the effective progression of learners into higher levels of learning.

- working closely with the Learning & Skills Council on the 14-19 curriculum, particularly in engaging other agencies to further establish industry links and the development of the work related curriculum.

- strengthening partnerships with other education providers, particularly in the voluntary sector, and those who offer services to children and young people.

- working with and through the Community Strategy for Hampshire.

- sharing of learning and training products through Hampshire Learning Centre, broadening access through the Hampshire Compact.

· Effective partnership in Lifelong Learning across County Council departments and services;

The actions to support this objective include:

- supporting collaborative projects between departments and schools in the active development of the curriculum. These will include Outdoor Education and Activities, Youth Justice, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, School Plus initiative, SEARCH, Hampshire Record Offices education service, Milestones, The Children's Fund and Connexions in helping to provide positive learning activities for children and young people.

- breaking down of service barriers through the creation of local multi-disciplinary teams under the Children Act.

- working with Economic Development to help ensure business need is taken into account and business input into work-related learning is encouraged.

- improving the range of County Council provided services through giving greater focus to the learning needs and aspirations within local areas.

- use existing partnerships within the County Council to develop new ways of providing learning opportunities.

Related Plans and Strategies

Adult Learning Development Plan 2004-2006

The Children's Fund Strategy

South Central Connexions business and delivery plan 2004-2006

Community Strategy for Hampshire 2004-2007

"Out There" termly newsletter of Hampshire Outdoor Service

Hampshire Outdoor Services Strategic Plan 2003-05

Early Years Development and Childcare Plan 2004-06

Hampshire Compact

2. Seamless Provision and Ease of Access

This aim will be achieved through the following objectives and actions:

· Improved transition in learning between education phases and ages;

The actions to support this objective include:

- support for young children with special educational needs/disabilities and their parents being more equitably applied.

- improved continuity and progress in learning within early years settings in the Foundation Stage across voluntary, private, independent and statutory providers of education.

- improved transition arrangements between primary and secondary schools through specific transition projects including the wider development of out-of-school clubs for 10-14's.

- more flexible learning pathways to better meet the needs of Young People and to facilitate effective and smooth transfer between schools, further education and employment.

- establishing clearer progression routes for adult learners.

· Increase participation in learning activities, in particular, for groups that are under represented; such as those living in areas of deprivation, disabled people, travellers, ethnic minority groups and refugees, those who are socially isolated, including those in rural isolation

The actions to support this objective include:

- Sure Start/Children's Centres to provide family learning opportunities in areas of disadvantage.

- complying with Disabilities Discrimination Act and using support funding to provide greater access and wider opportunities for learning for disabled people.

- the focus provided by out of school hours learning/Study Support in conjunction with the Children's Fund and the Gypsy Project to support children of travellers, ethnic minority groups and refugees.

- broadening access to a range of learning media through the continued development of complementary and electronic learning, to provide "the right learning, to the right people, at the right time".

- the promotion of the portable `lap-top loan' scheme in conjunction with other partners to provide opportunities to develop IT skills in more isolated communities.

- identifying learning opportunities which can assist in tackling issues of deprivation within targeted areas of Hampshire.

- working through the links established with hard to reach groups by the Recreation and Heritage services.

- raising access to work related learning in rural areas through the Pathfinder project in collaboration with the Learning and Skills Council.

· Actively support those services seeking to maximise the inclusion of young people; particularly in re-engaging those at risk of not being engaged in continuing education, training or employment.

The actions to support this objective include:

- collaborate closely with South Central Connexions Partnership in their work to continue to engage young people in education, training or employment.

- developing the work of the Youth Service and Outdoor Education Services in conjunction with the Youth Offending Team and the Duke of Edinburgh's Scheme to provide `positive activities for young people.'

- the continued implementation of the Corporate Youth Strategy and support for the Children's Fund initiatives.

- developing focused projects to meet identified needs as in Andover and Basingstoke.

· To continue to improve access to learning for the community in libraries, arts centres, museums and archives, countryside sites and schools;

The actions to support this objective include:

- the creation of multimedia Discovery Centres in Hampshire.

- developing an extended range of museum and archive learning opportunities in centres and in the community.

- the growth of "Extended schools" as centres of learning in local communities.

- promoting public access to the internet and opportunities for e-learning at libraries, museums and archives.

- promoting and providing access to the countryside, Country Parks and County sites, not only for leisure, but to encourage learning about and for the environment.

- improving physical mobility and access to Lifelong Learning facilities for those with poor transport choices, including those in rural isolation.

· To provide greater clarity, coherence and consistency in learning provision for older people;

The actions to support this objective include:

- mapping and publicising the provision of learning opportunities for adult and older learners.

- working with all providers to try and encourage fee discount and to target support at those most in need.

- recognising that learning has social, recreational and often therapeutic benefits for many older learners and developing provision for these.

- develop the joint Social Services/Recreational and Heritage work on provision for people living in residential and nursing homes and attending day centres.

Related Plans and Strategies

Corporate Youth Strategy

South Central Connexions business and development plan

Children's Fund Strategy

Foundation Stage Training Plan

14-19 Education Strategy

Children's Centres Action Plan

Strategy for Education

Sure Start Strategic Plan 2004-2006

Adult Learning Development Plan 2004-2006

Cultural Strategy "Enjoying Hampshire"

Library Information Business Plan 2004-2005

3. Leadership

This aim will be achieved through the following objectives and actions:-

· Promote and develop a `culture of learning' throughout the County Council;

The actions to support this objective include:

- supporting the `Rights, Respect and Responsibility' programme as part of the development of citizenship in Hampshire Schools.

- further developing the Leading Success programme supporting the aspiration of the County Council as a `learning authority'.

- promoting healthy lifestyles by supporting initiatives which encourage greater participation in exercise and healthy eating, such as `Healthy Schools'.

- engaging children and young people in key issues, such as environment sustainability, through the support of programme such as `Trailblazers'.

- increasing levels of engagement with the community on environmental and sustainability issues.

- providing leadership, alongside schools and colleges, of the work on the 14-19 curriculum and skills development.

- continuing to support the `silver surfer' initiative.

- supporting the `Creative Hampshire' initiative using specialist school-based projects as a focus.

- providing high quality opportunities for learning and making music.

- supporting the development of `Community Learning and Discovery Centres' in schools, libraries, museums and archive centres.

- promoting Sure Start Children's Centres, Basic Skills and Family Learning, Connexions and the Youth Service in their engagement of local communities.

- acting as a leader in the SE Museums Hub to influence and reflect national and regional perspectives on lifelong learning within museums.

- promote education and skills development through the County Council's "Apprenticeship Scheme and Graduate Programme".

- engagement of parents in children's early learning through `Birth to 3' and Parent Early Education Programme (PEEP) projects.

· Acting as an advocate for the learner at different stages;

The actions to support this objective include:

- the creation of a user friendly "Learners Charter" with an appropriate version for children using the Children Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as a basis.

- identifying opportunities and for improving advocacy for all learners, including vulnerable adults and older people, those with learning disabilities and for whom English is not their first language, and for children.

Related Plans and Strategies

Rights, Respect and Responsibility Strategy (Ed PRC report) (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

Healthy Schools Strategy

Trailblazers Strategy

14-19 Education Strategy

Discovery Centres Strategy (R&H PRC report)

Adult Learning Development Plan 2004-2006 (Family Learning Section)

Education and Skills/ Cabinet priority report (Apprenticeships) (6/04)

Youth Strategy (draft 5/03)

SE Hub Business Plan (including the Education Programme Delivery Plan)

Sure Start Strategic Plan 2004-2006

Education for Sustainable Development DfES/OFSTED

Corporate Strategy for Sustainable Development

4. Communication & Consultation

This aim will be achieved through following objectives and actions:

· Ensure that information and communications technology is used appropriately to communicate with Hampshire citizens regarding the importance of Lifelong Learning and the opportunities available to them;

The actions to support this objective include:

- identifying clear responsibility for the collation and maintenance of information.

- establishing a lifelong learning portal on Hantsweb which acts as a route into all available lifelong learning related information and services, including The Learning Zone.

- establishing a comprehensive directory of services and opportunities through the portal.

- ensuring that all electronically published information is clear and accessible for all users.

- improving the training of front-line staff to enable them, with the support of the portal, to deliver information, advice and guidance on lifelong learning.

- developing alternative technology to engage citizens, such as using CD's in recruitment for early years childcare and playworkers.

· Seek continuous feedback from client groups about our performance and listen to the `Voice of the Learner' acting in a positive and balanced manner upon information received;

The actions to support this objective include:

- actively promoting the voice of young people, engaging them in the County Council's activities and in local democracy through existing conferences and councils.

- consult with and listen to the ideas of children, 0-14, with a particular focus upon parents with children aged 0-5 years.

- consult with and listen to the views of vulnerable and `hard to reach' learners.

- engage young people in the development of County Council services and creating an accountability for young people in all services and departments.

- listen to the views of local businesses, in order to respond to changes in occupational skills need.

- seeking feedback from learners in all phases about their satisfaction with the services offered.

Related Plans and Strategies

Participation Strategy under the Children and Young People's Strategic Partnerships

Adult Learning Development Plan 2004-2006

"Hear by Right". Standards for active involvement of young people in democracy. LGA 2001

Sure Start Strategic Plan 2004-2006

Children's Fund Strategy

"Transforming through Technology". Hampshire County Council's e-Government and ICT Strategy

"Information and Communication Technology". A Hampshire Education Strategy

Economic Prosperity Improvement Plan

5. Developing Quality, Increasing Capacity, Improving Provision

This aim will be achieved through the following objectives and actions:-

· Nurture and develop a diverse range of high quality learning provision;

The actions to support this objective include:-

- an emphasis upon workforce development in the County including access to accredited qualifications and guidance on career pathways, such as the graduate programme.

- focusing upon the development of skills as a means of gaining access to employment and in supporting the development of economic prosperity and community regeneration.

- more cross-departmental learning and working activities, in order to promote the opportunities and benefits offered by lifelong learning especially in a partnership context.

- encouraging the development of transferability of skills within the workforce, such as in-house development of ICT.

- supporting the work of the Hampshire Learning Centre and the Hampshire Teaching and Leadership College.

- supporting the peer mentoring programmes with children and young people within the framework of Healthy Schools.

- encouraging and supporting volunteers promoting training opportunities.

- encourage the development of services such as `Learn Direct' within libraries and community centres, recognising that e-learning is a preferred learning option for a growing number of learners.

- promoting retraining opportunities for older workers to assist in the retention of expertise and in undertaking new roles in a changing society.

- creating greater opportunities to widen participation in learning, particularly in providing improved access to basic and key skills.

· Engage with learners in ways which value learning, build confidence and self esteem and which can lead to self empowerment;

The actions to support this objective include:

- expanding the `play based' orientated curriculum within early years learning, and increasing play-based activities in group childcare settings.

- emphasising generic lifelong learning skills in the education of children and young people such as:

learning to learn, team work, creative thinking and problem solving, research skills

- expansion of the `Healthy Schools Award' across Primary and Secondary Schools.

- promoting outdoor and challenging experiences for young people.

- working with employers to promote positive attitudes to the development of learning within the workplace.

- maximising participation in basic skills and family learning projects by publicising their availability more widely.

- continuing to value the skills of the older generations and to seek their support in encouraging younger learners by encouraging them to work with schools.

- promoting learning in the outdoors through publications such as `Out There'.

· Ensure a more equitable provision of services for lifelong learning across the County, taking account of demographic trends in developing capacity;

The actions to support this objective include:

- providing a focus and emphasis on learning opportunities for older people.

- developing an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to children and families across County Council services and in partnership with other providers.

- supporting childcare 0-14 within local communities to assist families in achieving `work-life balance' and in providing substance to the economy by providing small business opportunities and enabling access to training, education and work.

- improving cohesion of provision, elimination of duplication and improving collaboration to make best use of scarce resources.

- building upon the pioneering work with the arts in residential care homes.

- promoting lifelong learning opportunities through community networks of associations and village halls in Hampshire.

- using appropriate criteria to allocate resources against different levels of need, rather than historical spending patterns.

· Providing for Family Learning and parenting skills in the development of Lifelong Learning;

The actions to support this objective include:

- delivering the outcomes described in the Adult Learning Development Plan 2003-06.

- developing family learning opportunities as part of school improvement and the Extended school agenda.

- increasing family learning opportunities in Secondary schools through a `skills for families' initiative.

- disseminating and publicising the good practice in family learning.

- harnessing the skills of older learners to support the development of family learning in local communities.

· Develop the role of extended schools as centres of learning in their local communities alongside the roll-out of Discovery Centres;

The actions to support this objective include:

- maximising the facilities in Specialist and Community schools as local learning centres and access points for recreational activities such as the arts and sport.

- increasing the access and attractiveness of libraries for children and young people.

- promoting the wider community role of schools through extended schools initiatives.

- mapping the distribution and impact of extended schools within the context of Every Child Matters and the Children Act.

- expanding further `Creative Hampshire' to deliver closer working relationships between schools and professional artists.

· Encourage the use of information and communications technology to improve and extend learning opportunities;

The actions to support this objective include:

- providing greater community access to IT in libraries, schools and other HCC establishments.

- encouraging the development and use of web-based and distance learning.

- supporting the exploration of emerging and ubiquitous technology, for example text messaging, `Learning Zone' in support of lifelong learning.

Related Plans and Strategies

Economic Prosperity Improvement Plan

Healthy Schools Strategy

Adult Learning Development Plan 2004-2006 (Family Learning Section)

"Every Child Matters" Green Paper and Children Act 2004

Sure Start Strategic Plan 2004-2006

Library Information Business Plan 2004-05

Outdoor Services Strategic Plan 2003-05

"Transforming through Technology". Hampshire County Council's e-Government and ICT Strategy

"Information and Communication Technology". A Hampshire Education Strategy

6. Use of Resources

This aim will be achieved through the following objectives and actions:-

· Keep under review the availability of suitable accommodation which could support lifelong learning

The actions to support this objective include:

- considering the use of surplus school accommodation to support lifelong learning activities in any school re-organisation, such as in Extended Schools and Early Years Centres/Children's Centres.

- supporting the transformation of libraries to `Discovery Centres' and making greater use of other local authority premises as venues for lifelong learning activities.

- continuing to support improved physical access for all learners and particularly those with disabilities.

- maximising the development of e-learning through County Council facilities.

- review the availability of surplus accommodation in schools for community learning

· Maintain, and where possible and appropriate, improve resourcing for Lifelong Learning initiatives which are proving to be successful

The actions to support this objective include:

- regular and careful monitoring of external funding changes to identify any groups, individual learners or communities who may be adversely affected.

- providing greater clarity about fee structures and subsidies for provision supported by the County Council.

- considering a reduction in service delivery costs to limit the pressure on learners' fees.

- continuation and if possible, improvement in County Council funding support for community learning programmes, recognising that this investment enables local income-generation which in turn supports cross-subsidy in adult learning provision.

· Co-ordinating and making effective use of data/information to provide clarity and cohesion to planned developments

The actions to support this objective include:

- targeting resources to areas of greatest need.

- action planning to address each area of improvement, supported by appropriate resources.

- developing performance indicators based upon success criteria.

Related Plans and Strategies

Discovery Centres (R&H PRC report)

School Organisational Plan

Children's Centres Sure Start Guidance 2004-2006

Children's Centres Development Plan 2004-2006

Extended Schools Strategy