Double delight for Council as two evaluations of community learning teams are positive
Posted on 14 Dec 2023
The good work being done by North Ayrshire Council’s Community Learning and Development teams has been recognised in two reports.
Results of a progress review, carried out by Education Scotland HMIE in September, of the Council’s provision was presented to a recent Cabinet meeting.
Community Learning and Development (CLD) covers: locality planning; local democracy; youth work; community empowerment, community-based adult learning, family learning and community development.
Inspectors scrutinised the effectiveness of the Council and its partners leadership, and also looked at how effective the joint performance is in improving life for people in our communities.
They did this during the progress visit by reviewing documentation, meeting strategic leaders and holding focus groups with partners and learners.
And the evaluation was that “The local authority and their CLD partners are making sufficient progress with their CLD plan and have the capacity to continue to improve.” This is the highest statement of confidence used in this type of HMIE review.
Key areas of positive progress that were identified include:
- Efforts being made to increase inclusion and reduce barriers for people who want to participate in programmes, learning and activities and
- The effective support that is available for learners, community activists and volunteers to gain skills that match their aims and ambitions.
The successful Modern Apprentice (MA) programme within Youth Services was highlighted as an example of highly-effective practice.
Giving adults learners a stronger voice was flagged up as an area for “further development” - and this is already being progressed by the Council and partners.
Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands, said: “This is a really positive report, particularly for our youth work provision and the Modern Apprentice programme.
“It is vital that we continue all the great work that is being done to break down barriers to learning, giving people in our communities every opportunity to thrive. Congratulations to those involved.”
A six-monthly progress report on the Council’s Strategic Community Learning and Development Plan (2021-2024) was also presented to Cabinet.
Partnership working is key to the success of the Plan, which uses the Learners’ Voice structure to bring leaners together from each of the six Localities.
Support for young people - including the MA programme - and the development of dignified food provision and Cost-of-Living support through community hubs have been important elements of the Plan along with youth work and adult learning opportunities.
More than 6300 adults have been involved in CLD activities over the period of the Plan, through projects like English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Multiply, which helps adults improve their numeracy skills.
And work is ongoing to ensure older people – and those supporting them - feel seen and heard, with North Ayrshire’s first Older People’s Conference taking place recently and four older people’s engagement hubs being established.
Councillor Hill added: “Empowering communities is at the heart of everything we, as a local authority, do. And it is pleasing to see in the Development Plan that people of all ages are getting a chance to have their say – from youth work to our inaugural Older People’s Conference, which was held recently in Saltcoats Town Hall and was a great success.”
Cabinet agreed to note the HMIE review and approve the actions. It also reviewed the CLD Plan progress report and authorised officers to continue moving forward with the actions within it.
Our photo shows: Syrian New Scots Khaldiya, Ibrahim, and Jwaher who are among those who have enjoyed learning English at Towerlands Community Centre, in Irvine, with the Council's Community Development Tutor Alison Watson.