PP Step in to Learning Improving the skills of parents and carers. Improving the skills of health professionals. A training and development programme for the health workforce. 1.1

PP Learning objectives Delegates will be able to: recognise the aims of the Skills for Life strategy identify Step in to Learning training and development programme as a key initiative in response to the Skills for Life strategy recognise the benefits to children of parents/carers improving their literacy, language and/or numeracy skills. 1.2a

PP Learning objectives (continued) identify the key role that health professionals can play in encouraging parents/carers to improve their literacy, language and/or numeracy skills assess a range of strategies that health professionals can use to communicate effectively with parents/carers who may have literacy, language or numeracy needs signpost parents/carers to appropriate literacy, language, numeracy or family learning provision. 1.2b

PP Programme outline Step in to Learning training and development programme: Module 1: Raising awareness and signposting Module 2: Identification and support 1.3

PP Training and development materials Step in to Learning materials include: two training modules for delegates multimedia Professional Development Resources to support the cascade of training guidance on introducing family literacy, language and/or numeracy programmes. 1.4

PP What are adult literacy, language and/or numeracy skills? Reading Writing Speaking and listening English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Numeracy 1.5

PP What do we mean by Skills for Life? Skills for Life is the national strategy for improving adult literacy, language and numeracy skills. Up to 7 million adults in England cannot read or write as well as the average 11-year-old: bad news for the adults and bad news for the national economy. People with poor literacy, language or numeracy skills are less productive at work, earn less and are more likely to suffer from ill health and social exclusion. (Skills for Life: The national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills. Focus on delivery to 2007.) ICT is now also recognised as a skill for life, but is not included in the remit of the Step programme. 1.6

PP Skills for Life: current position and government targets Of the adults aged 16–65 in England: 5.2 million adults, i.e. 16%, have literacy skills below Level million adults, i.e. 21%, have numeracy skills below Entry 3 15 million adults, i.e. 47%, have numeracy skills below Level 1. In 2008, the government will start to work towards its target that 95% of adults will have functional literacy and numeracy skills by a

PP Aims From 2008/09 to 2010/11: 597,000 people of working age to achieve a first Level 1 (or above) literacy qualification 390,000 to achieve a first Entry Level 3 (or above) numeracy Qualification By 2010: 2.25 million adults will have improved basic literacy, language and numeracy skills For a local picture of skills levels in your area visit: 1.7b

PP Levels of Skills for Life Improving the literacy, language and/or numeracy skills of adults Improving skills up to Level 2 Level 2 = NVQ Level 2 = GSCE A*–C 1.8

PP Level 2 literacy skills Examples include: make relevant contributions and help to move discussions forward construct complex sentences plan and draft writing identify the points of view in a written argument summarise information from longer documents. 1.9a

PP Level 2 numeracy skills Examples include: calculate ratio and direct proportions work out dimensions from scale drawings solve problems involving 2D shapes and parallel lines find and use mean, medians and modes add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals up to three places. 1.9b

PP Module 1 Part 1 summary A range of literacy, language and/or numeracy skills are needed for everyday activities at work and in the community. Skills for Life and Step in to Learning objectives can be met when families are encouraged to improve their literacy, language and/or numeracy skills and work towards qualifications. When parents/carers improve their literacy, language and/or numeracy skills, this can have a positive effect on their childrens development; parents/carers can also access a range of services in their community, e.g. training, employment and health services. 1.10

PP What are parents/carers entitled to from Skills for Life provision? Good-quality teaching A full assessment of their learning needs and an individual learning plan A safe and healthy place to learn Professional support to learn at the right level Understanding of emotional and cultural needs as well as learning needs Equal opportunities and treatment Opportunities to take nationally recognised qualifications Advice about moving on to further learning or jobs Free literacy, language and numeracy provision, up to and including Level 2 qualifications Confidentiality 1.11

PP Who offers Skills for Life provision? Further education colleges Local authorities – adult education or lifelong learning services Sure Start local programmes or childrens centres Community provision learndirect centres Training providers Voluntary groups 1.12

PP Family literacy, language and numeracy courses provide: motivation for parents/carers to improve their skills in order to support their children an effective way of improving the skills of children and parents/carers opportunities for some parents/carers and staff and managers to develop their skills and knowledge together. 1.13a

PP Four contexts Joint time – time together Parent/carer time Child time Home-time activities 1.13b

PP Examples of FLLN programmes Early Start Family Health Play and Language Family Finance Family Numeracy Family Literacy 1.13c

PP Steps on the route to parents/carers learning independently Taster session such as Play and Language Information for parents/carers about provision and support from visitors from Skills for Life providers A short family literacy course, e.g. Early Start A group visit to a local provider such as an FE college 1.14a

PP Steps on the route to parents/carers learning independently (contd) A short course offered locally. such as first aid An ICT course such as ICT for beginners Specific key skills/functional skills or job-related training such as assertiveness training A nationally recognised accredited course, such as Family Health, Literacy or Family Numeracy A course related to child care, such as Getting Started 1.14b

PP End-of-module summary Effective signposting: encourages parents/carers to brush up their skills offers parents/carers support to get back into learning identifies good quality learning opportunities helps parents/carers to take the first steps to develop their literacy, language and numeracy skills. 1.15