Brighton and Hove Council Adult Skills and Learning

The Adult Skills and Learning team of Brighton and Hove City Council is celebrating after being recognised by Ofsted as a ‘good’ service in their recent Inspection. Inspectors recognised that staff in the Family Learning and Community Development teams were highly committed, and successful at working with learners with the greatest needs in the most deprived areas of the city. In 2008-9, the team ran courses in the community for over 900 learners, ranging from Family Learning courses in schools and children’s centres to courses such as Digital Photography, Coping with Emergencies, and writing CVs. Achievement and success rates are high; by listening to what individuals and groups in the community want, the Council’s Adult Skills team is able to set up appropriate courses which enable learners to develop new skills and then progress on to other educational and training opportunities.  The service was graded as ‘outstanding’ for its partnership work. Inspectors recognised that the Service plays a key role in co-ordinating adult learning across the city , and that collaboration with many other services such as other adult learning providers, partners in Health and Social services, schools, and Children’s Centres enables effective progression routes to be developed so that learners are have the support they need to move on. Learners from all courses report gains in skills and self confidence which enable them to improve their employability, apply for further training, or become more involved in their children’s schooling.

The full report can be read on the Ofsted site at www.ofsted.gov.uk