IA2616 Community Learning Framework

Tender description

Staffordshire County Council’s Community Learning Service wishes to commission a Community Learning Framework. Suppliers are required to deliver a wide range of innovative, stimulating and engaging non accredited face-to-face and blended and where appropriate online community learning programmes to adults aged nineteen plus (19+) throughout the eight districts of Staffordshire: Cannock, East Staffordshire, Tamworth, Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Staffordshire Moorlands. Provision will be aligned to the Council’s priority outcomes and the Community Learning Service’s commissioning priorities to complement the provision currently delivered across Staffordshire. Staffordshire’s Community Learning is grant funded annually by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) through the Adult Education Budget. The Community Learning Service has approved ESFA training provider status and currently works with schools, colleges, third sector organisations, independent training providers and local community groups to secure and deliver a range of learning opportunities for adults and families across Staffordshire. The current Community Learning Framework and Call-off Contracts, which are in place for the delivery of some of these Services will expire on 31st July 2023. Lot 1: Wellbeing and Independence This wellbeing and independence provision targets adults who are furthest from learning and employment, and these individuals will sometimes require additional bespoke support to be successful in their learning and to maximise them having positive progression outcomes. The provision is to support Learners to develop skills across a broad range of subjects relevant to their interests. The provision must include the delivery of strategies to stimulate self-awareness, improve and develop personal wellbeing and independence and support Learners to pursue and achieve their aspirations. Lot 2: Community & Family Progression Community and Family Progression is for adults to help them develop skills that will contribute to their community and be more independent. It may also include family learning that equips parents, carers and guardians with the necessary skills to give their children the best start in life. This may include courses that develop a broad range of adult skills and/or support their family’s wellbeing and to give their children the best possible start in life. It may also improve parental engagement with education to boost the children’s success in school and provide a ‘way in’ to education despite possible previous negative experiences. The provision will widen community participation and develop stronger communities, with more self-sufficient connected and pro-active citizens leading to increased volunteering, civic engagement, and social integration. Lot 3: English, Maths & Digital Staffordshire residents will be able to access more good jobs and feel the benefit of economic growth through the delivery of English, maths and digital provision supporting residents to up-skill and re-skill to gain and improve their life chances. The provision will support residents to gain confidence and equip them with the necessary skills in the use of functional English, maths and digital in their everyday lives, including work and further learning. Good English, maths and digital skills increase life chances and are essential for individuals to succeed in work and to progress to better jobs and pay. These skills often lead to people being more active in their local communities, accessing local facilities and online services. The provision will widen participation and encourage first steps into English and maths for those individuals with prior negative experiences or low skills and provide digital inclusion activities that help people to develop skills and gain access to technology and thus narrow the digital divide. Lot 4: STEM & Vocational Staffordshire residents will be able to access more good jobs and feel the benefit of economic growth through the delivery of STEM and vocational courses that supports individuals to up-skill and re-skill to gain and improve employment opportunities. STEM and vocational courses include the development of enterprise skills; learning which helps Learners find out about self-employment and accessing support in starting their own business. Providers must work in collaboration with local employers to identify and address the local needs and skills gaps in Staffordshire in collaboration with local employers.