Adult learning accountability agreement
Contents
- Purpose, mission and vision
- Adult learning service - Strategic priorities
- Local context – North and West Northamptonshire
- Adult learning commitments and priorities
- Approach to the development of the funding and accountability statement
- Contribution to national, regional and local priorities
- Corporation statement
- Appendix 1 – LSIP identified employability skills
Approach to the development of the funding and accountability statement
The Funding and Accountability Statement, in line with the Northamptonshire Adult Learning Service (NALS) Strategic Plan, has been developed using several data sources to understand the local context within which we operate and how the service can meet these needs.
NALS drew on multiple data sources and stakeholder inputs to shape this. We analysed local labour market and demographic data (ONS, NOMIS, SEMLEP reports) and reviewed recent surveys (e.g. Skills for Jobs Briefings, LSIP research) to identify skills gaps. Our curriculum plans are informed by employer priorities, as we actively participated in Northamptonshire's Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) development through the Chamber of Commerce.
NALS has spent some time undergoing a transformation agenda since 2022 including a review of our strategic plan and approach to our curriculum offer. We have implemented and continued to evolve the delivery model, taking responsibility for the development and direct delivery of a range of key curriculum areas where identified local need exists. Our strategic plan sets out our agreed priority groups including:
- parents and carers who wish to develop their skills
- adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
- care leavers
- adults yet to achieve a level 2, or those with low skills in literacy, spoken English, maths or digital
- adults residing in the Northamptonshire wards with the greatest concentrations of deprivation, worklessness and economic inactivity
- adults on low income and/or in receipt of state benefits
- those who are unemployed and want to improve their chances of finding work by developing or acquiring relevant skills
We have also developed several strong partnership working opportunities including, but not limited to:
South Midlands authorities | The service has a strong relationship with South Midlands Authorities (formally the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, SEMLEP) ensuring that the service is ideally placed to recognise the local economic and skills needs. The Employment and Skills Manager sits on the board for the Adult Learning Service and, as such, has direct input into the ALS strategy. |
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| LSIP - Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce | 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. |
Public Health (North and West) | Attending Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) and Place Based Partnership forums (PBPs) enables direct involvement in community needs. Developing the ALS role in these partnerships can help tailor interventions to local priorities and ensure curriculum plans meet specific community needs. |
Sector bodies | The ALS has a range of affiliations and accreditations with industry relevant bodies including HOLEX membership, MATRIX accreditation, SEM 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. |
Local and regional Employers | Through our links with the Local Unitary Authorities, Chamber of Commerce and the South East Midlands Authorities we actively engage with a wide range of employers. |
| DWP and Job Centre Plus(JCP) | 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 |
Further Education Colleges | The service has active links with colleagues from the local FE Colleges. Offering progression opportunities and allowing the design of a curriculum offer that complements the wider local opportunities. We have representation from GFE Colleges on our board and recent development through the Multiply and Shared Prosperity programmes has strengthened these partnerships which will lead to more effective progression and referral routes. |
Local Schools | We have active engagement with a wide number of local schools across Northamptonshire where we directly deliver Tailored Learning courses including our Family Learning offer. |
| National Careers Service (NCS) | Established relations, including a service level agreement, with the National Careers Service ensures high level Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) for ALS learners as well as ensuring accessible information for NCS customers. |
| Other local organisations | Other organisations that the Adult Learning Service regularly engages with include, but is not limited to Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, libraries, Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations (VCSE), training providers, wider council services and Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). |
Last updated 14 October 2025