Adult Learning accountability agreement 2023/24

The service has a strong relationship with SEMLEP ensuring that the service is ideally placed to recognise the local economic and skills needs. A member of SEMLEP sits on the board for the Adult Learning Service and, as such, has direct input into the Adult Learning Service strategy.

Working in partnership with the Northamptonshire Chamber, the service has been able to contribute to, and develop from, work conducted to develop the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). This allows the creation of an effective strategy and curriculum that directly meets the local and regional needs, having positive impacts on the local economy.

Attendance at Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) and Community Wellbeing Forums (CWFs) allow the service to have direct involvement in the needs of the specific communities that we serve. Further development of the ALS role in these partnerships/forums will allow the service to better implement its Curriculum Plan ensuring provision is targeted to those communities most in need, with interventions specific to the local priorities.

The Adult Learning Service has a range of affiliations and accreditations with industry relevant bodies including HOLEX membership, MATRIX accreditation, SEMLEP membership, Skills and Education Group membership, registration with various awarding organisations and many others. This allows the service to remain abreast of local and national policy, priorities and commitments.

Through our links with the Local Unitary Authorities, Chamber of Commerce and the LEP we actively engage with a wide range of employers. It is however recognised that this is an area for further development and forms the basis of the actions for 23/24 as well as the Adult Learning Service strategic plan 24-27.

Positive relationships with JCP partnership managers and employer advisers across Northamptonshire results in high level of awareness of JCP customer needs and established networks with JCP work coaches and office managers.

The service has active links with colleagues from the local FE Colleges. Offering progression opportunities and allowing the design of a curriculum offer that compliments the wider local opportunities. Recent development through the Multiply programme has strengthened these partnerships which will lead to easier progression and referrals routes.

We have active engagement with a wide number of local schools across Northamptonshire where we directly deliver community learning based courses including our Family Learning offer.

Established relations, and Service Level Agreement in place, with the National Careers Service ensures high level Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) for Adult Learning Service learners as well as ensuring accessible information for NCS customers.

Other organisations that the Adult Learning Service regularly engages with include, but is not limited to, libraries, Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations (VCSE), training providers, wider council services and Citizens Advice Bureau.