Adult and Lifelong Learning Annie Merton

What is NIACE?  A national NGO with charitable status promoting, supporting, developing adult learning  “More, different and better” adult learning  Over £20m turnover; over 200 staff; Leicester based; operating 80 years  Funded also by DfES, LSC and others, and long history with Local Government

And to the LGA….  A Central Body grant aided under the Top Slice arrangements  An annual grant of just under £700K  For:(1) influencing policy as it affects local authority adult learning; (2) supporting, developing and improving local authority adult education; (3) working with local government on adult and lifelong learning matters

Adult and lifelong learning - what it can do  Develop individuals and families  Encourage creativity and culture  Strengthen communities and citizenship  Enhance employability  Build social capital

Some current issues for local authority adult education  Government policy primarily about adult skills - re-prioritisation of the public subsidy  Proposed changes to LSC funding system, including increasing income through fees  Perceptions of its Quality, and its Value  Who participates, who does not; who might  Locus of leadership, re/Children’s Services  Added value from Extended Schools ?

Of interest to the LGA….? Of interest to the LGA….?  Developing joint LSC/LGA strategy for securing continued access to adult learning of choice by the less advantaged  Mapping contribution of adult learning to other local government policy agendas, e.g. public health; adult social care; sustainability etc.  Exploring/advising on incorporating adult learning within Community,Cultural and other Strategies