Review and next steps

Declan Baharini

What we will be doing today

Understanding the context of the review

Looking at the outcomes of the online survey and proposed actions

Identifying priorities for the short and medium term for the Consortium

Learning Consortium context

Network of 50 organisations

Variety of size and type of delivery

Wide reach into communities of place and interest across Northumberland

Representation on a number of networks

Large body of knowledge and experience

Secretariat provided by NCDN

Wider context

Increasingly competitive funding context

Difficult economic climate for VCS

More demand for services around training, learning, IAG and employability support

Changing political and policy context nationally, regionally and within county

Review requirements

Learning Consortium meeting in July identified key issues to be clarified:

Purpose and rolesAccountabilityTransparencyRepresentationSecretariat

Time to focus

Common purpose

Clear roles and responsibilities

Identified goals

Focused approach

Be a trusted Consortium

Exercise real influence

The future

CollaborationCo-operation Partnership working

Within the sectorWith the public and private sector

Review – September 2009

Modernisation Fund Phase 1 support

Independent Online Survey to address concerns and build consensus

Focus Group with members to identify short, medium and long term priorities

Option for Phase 2 support for next steps

Online Survey - Elements

Role and purpose of consortium

Steering Group to provide leadership and accountability and transparency

Representation on outside networks

Communications and meetings

Secretariat role and remit

Online Survey Results

55 individual responses

46 organisations represented

4 public sector organisations

Summary Report

Northumberland Voluntary and Community Sector Learning Consortium is a network for VCS organisations which provide skills, training, guidance and complementary

support services to people in Northumberland.96%

The main aim of the Consortium is to strengthen the capacity of the sector to deliver quality learning and skills to the people of Northumberland.

90%

Primary aim and objective

Roles - Consensus

Information sharing on learning, skills and IAG

Facilitating collaboration and joint working

Representation on key partnerships

Coordinating and promoting workforce development

Support organisations to deliver new qualifications

Forum to debate issues and plan responses

Broker to support consortium bids

89%

84%

80%

78%

78%

78%

73%

Lead body for consortium bids

Assistance on training, assessors and IAG providers

Supporting multi-sectoral partnerships

Access to accredited status

Quality standards for content and delivery

Supporting organisational development

Support for Matrix accreditation and quality standards

Supporting organisations to achieve PQQ

Roles 69%

67%

64%

60%

56%

56%

56%

38%

Accountability and Transparency

Steering GroupMandate from members 81% Specific issue

meetings/events 79% Surveys 67% General meetings

Elected by membersAnnually or bi-annually

Membership:96% Mix of large/small84% Range of providers81% Geographic spread74% Specialist networks63% Public sector

7-10 members59% of NCVS LC

members would serve

Representation

Nominations 57% via Steering Group

and endorsed by members

Feedback in a variety of ways (notes, web, meetings, emails, links)

40% of respondents prepared to represent the Learning Consortium

Groups and networks:67% NVCS Consortium64% County Council62% Employability CollPt

45% VONNE43% NEWS

36% T&W Emplyt Cnstm

Which methods of communication would you prefer for the following activities of the Consortium (please tick all that apply):

010

203040

5060

7080

Mee

ting

info

rmat

ion

Even

tin

form

atio

n

Bre

akin

g ne

ws

Cas

e st

udie

s

Prog

ress

repo

rts

Feed

back

fro

mre

pres

enta

tives

Polic

yin

form

atio

n

New

con

trac

top

port

uniti

es

Part

ners

hip

requ

ests

Email

Website

Newsletter

Meeting

Communication

Meetings

Full consortium quarterly 76%Elements:

Feedback from representatives 83%Funding and contracting opportunities 83%VCS LC programmes progress/issues 76%Networking sessions 71%Policy changes and implications 61%Wider skills agenda 51%Feedback from county/regional networks 51%Profiling organisations and agencies 32%

Special events

Special events – 100%

Collaborative contracting 76%New opportunities 76%Public and private sector meetings 73%Networking and awareness raising 68%Workforce development 56%New areas of policy and practice 54%

Secretariat function

Administrative support

List of members and profiles

Maintaining database of contacts

Maintaining website

Arranging meetings and speakers

Circulating information

Organising events

Responding to members' queries

Briefings to representatives

Promoting collaboration and opportunities

Induction and capacity building

95%

95%

95%

93%

90%

88%

80%

78%

63%

60%

50%

Next steps

New Terms of ReferencePerson specifications for rolesSecretariat roles and remitEstablish Steering GroupEstablish RepresentationProtocol for bids on behalf of VCS LCSeparate website for VCS LC

Workshop session

Priorities for the next 6 months (yellow)

Priorities for the next 12-18 months (blue)

Identify special events required

Thank you and good luck