Learning for Living

Developing access to Skills for Life for adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities

‘NIACE are leading the Learning for Living Consortium working with
learners who experience a range of difficulties and barriers in
learning literacy, language and numeracy.

The aim of the project is to research and develop guidance for teachers, practitioners, carers, support workers and employers. Each set of guidance focuses on a particular development area including: Access to Employment; Pre-Entry and Entry Levels; Bilingual Learners; ESOL and Learning Difficulties; Teacher Training Modules; Family Learning; and training in the use of the Pre-Entry Curriculum Framework for those working in health and social care settings.

July 2005 marked the end of the piloting phase, during which the draft
guidance were evaluated in over 80 provider sites nationwide. Feedback
was received from providers in a variety of contexts such as colleges,
prisons and offender institutions, care settings, day centres, work
based learning providers and voluntary and community organisations. We
have heard how the guidance was used and the challenges that staff
working in these contexts are facing. The guidance is now being
rewritten to reflect the feedback that these organisations have
provided.

Participating organisations also provided profiles on the learners they
were working with. The learners’ views on their previous learning
experiences have been collated to capture their positive experiences
and common issues.

Staff case studies have been contributed by participating
organisations. Participants reflected on changes made and intended
changes to operational and strategic planning within their organisation
as a result of their involvement in the project.

Dissemination Events
The completed suite of guidance will be launched at seven events during March 2006.

Provisional Dissemination dates are:
6th March, 2006 – London;
7th March, 2006 – London, for those working in the offender context;
9th March, 2006 – Cambridge;
15th March, 2006 – Manchester;
20th March, 2006 – York;
24th March, 2006 – Bristol;
31st March, 2006 – Birmingham.

These events are free and all are welcome to attend.

If interested please contact Dana McLaughlin on 0116 204 6987 or by
email with your relevant contact information.’