Case Study: Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners Martin McNally What do employers want? The clear articulation of needs

Overview What is Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners? How did it come about? How does it work? How does it facilitate the articulation of employer need? Where we are up to? Who are the stakeholders? Group work!

How did it come about? North West Housing Management Best Practice vision to accredit work based practice to recognised qualifications Championed by core group of employers The changing policy context and multidisciplinary role of the social housing sector Employer need for a flexible / blended approach (not day release) that links directly to work based practice The need for a ‘different’ kind of provision – where learner are sensitised to their own learning preferences – critical reflection is central to action planning for improving individual and organisational performance The recommendations of the Leach Review of Skills (2006)

What is Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners? A highly flexible programme of learning for housing practitioners Uses the University of Chester tried and tested Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) framework It harnesses work based practice to contribute to accredited higher education awards Content shaped and delivered in partnership with senior housing sector professionals Developed in line with Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) expectations for corporate membership

Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) University of Chester recognised specialist in the delivery of WBIS Used to help mature work based learners since early 90’s Provides a framework for delivery of genuinely negotiated learning, tailored to individual and organisational need Uses critical reflection to development knowledge and improve performance

Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) Blended learning – using a virtual learning environment (VLE), one / two day workshops, tutorial support, work based mentoring … Flexible routes for progression from Foundation level through Professional Doctorate Strong emphasis on formative assessment Develops reflective practitioners

Facilitating employer needs Highly flexible Content is shaped and delivered by employers – Learning Pathways Curriculum Development Group WBIS enables employer training and development programmes to be accredited to recognised awards Expert practitioners delivery modules as Associate Tutors of the University of Chester Individual learning pathways are possible through negotiated experiential learning modules (NELMs)

Facilitating employer needs APEL and APCL can contribute up to 50% of an award Uses approaches which are designed to empower individuals who are returning to learning Flexible and self paced

Where are we up to?

Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners Foundation Degree Improving Service Through Effective Performance Management L5 20c Improving Service Through Effective Performance Management L5 20c Homelessness L4 20c Homelessness L4 20c Financial Inclusion (L5 20c) Financial Inclusion (L5 20c) Allocations & Lettings (L4 20c) Allocations & Lettings (L4 20c) Intelligent Sustainability in a Low Carbon Environment L4 20c Intelligent Sustainability in a Low Carbon Environment L4 20c

The Stakeholders

Successes, challenges and lessons learnt Successes – the level of employer engagement and commitment – opening up of a genuine dialogue with employers and their networks – the speed of development – the shared vision for the Foundation Degree – CIH dialogue and working toward accredited centre validation – two professional certificates up and running – the ‘widening access to learning’ attributes of WBIS – use of different elements to assess learners

Successes, challenges and lessons learnt Challenges and lessons learnt – dealing with learner confidence and self esteem and developing their academic / study skills – learners getting to grips with being critically reflective – achieving (unrealistic?) targets! – institutional commitment to sustaining and mainstreaming Learning Pathways – securing resources – managing institutional norms and ways of doing things

Group Work! How to facilitate the articulation of employers’ needs Individually (5 minutes) – What do you consider are the likely successes good practices barriers and challenges in identifying and delivering what employers want? Groups of 7/8 discuss and select what you think are the top 3 key issues from each of the above ( 15 minutes) Each group presents their top three (5 minutes each)