| If we are to get beyond fragmentary activity with particular groups (such as the homeless; those with mental illness; those with problems of alcohol or drugs) then a concerted effort needs to be made to use the strengths of the voluntary sector to reach disadvantaged adults.
The Basic Skills Agency have recently undertaken a Consultancy in Birmingham, looking at the role of the voluntary sector in meeting adult basic skills needs. They visited more than 30 organisations and spoke to more than 50 people. Voluntary sector organisations are very active in initial assessment of basic skills of adults; in the delivery of pre-vocational programmes; and in New Deal Gateway and option programmes for unemployed people. |
The Core Skills Development Partnership are also supporting a programme to unlock the basic skills of members of community groups. This is providing some very exciting results, using members of community groups to support each other.
All of this is taking place at the same time that the voluntary sector is seeking to have a more structured and strategic role within post-school basic skills provision. This takes the voluntary sector beyond being the recipient of ad-hoc grant-aid and places it beyond being a referral mechanism for further education providers. If we are to change the lives of those most at risk because of low basic skills we need to unlock a new set of ways of working in addition to those already in existence. The voluntary sector is seen as being a key part of this. |