Learning_Plan_2006[1]

Salford Community Learning Plan 2006

1.

Background & Context Salford Community Network is Currently funded through the

Salford Community Network has been working in Salford for three years. The aims of Salford Community Network are to:

Community Empowerment Fund, one of the Neighbourhood Renewal Units Community Participation programme’s.

From October 1st 2004 the funding of Salford Community



Support active involvement of the voluntary and

Network will move under the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit’s

community

Single Community Programme.

sectors

for

a

positive

working

partnership with the Local Strategic Partnership and other partners in Salford 

aims to:

their confidence, knowledge and skills to effectively



neighbourhood renewal



the Single Community Programme. The second objective

Provide opportunities for local people to develop

articulate their own needs and contribute to



The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit has set four objectives for

Support community learning through small grants and the development of learning strategies to ensure that residents can access the skills and knowledge they

Promote a partnership approach at all levels

need to engage fully in neighbourhood renewal.

between service providers and communities, which

Learning and skill development should inform all of

supports tangible outcomes and explores the

the Community Network‟s activity and should not be

meaning and reality of local democracy in Salford

confined to a separate grant making function.

Develop the network into a vehicle for knowledge and information for Salford at grass roots level promoting an understanding of common interests

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

“I Just feel that I could say more in a meeting if I really knew why everyone else was there and how it all fits” Page 2 of 16

Salford Community Network recognises that effective partnership

working

can

be

difficult.

Successful

Network. The plan is intended to be an organic

partnerships are found where there are benefits to all

document, offering a flexible framework that will be

partners and where equal, meaningful and honest

regularly evaluated, reviewed and adapted to meet local

involvement from partners leads towards a clear, shared

needs.

vision.

Partnerships are by definition made up of

a

range

of

individuals

and

organisations who come together with

“I never think I can say I don‟t know what that means, you know? I miss most of the meeting wondering what one word or initial means!”

2.

Methodology

The first step in the development of this learning plan involved research on a local,

a shared goal in mind. Each of those

regional and national level to identify good

partners

practice and local issues related to learning

comes

from

a

different

background and brings a different range of skills and

and partnership working.

experiences. Often the gulf created by those differences

Next, a number of interviews were conducted with

can

standpoints,

people working and volunteering at different levels

learning new skills and gaining information will help level

throughout Salford Community Network, as well as from

the ground and bridge the gaps.

other local organisations.

Learning needs to become an entrenched part of

The interviews provided an opportunity to create a profile

partnership culture in Salford and the Salford Community

of skills and knowledge needed in order for a community

Network aims to create opportunities that enable

representative to be effective within Salford Community

partners to ‘share information, risks and rewards‟1.

Network.

This learning plan represents the first stage in a process

opportunity to gain an overview of current learning

that will develop a learning culture throughout the

opportunities throughout Salford.

appear

insurmountable.

Shifting

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

In addition, the interviews provided an

Page 3 of 16

3. Learning in Salford Community Network

During the interviews it became clear that issues related to effectiveness

3.1

Skills & Knowledge Profile

fell into two clear

categories:

Almost thirty people took part in the interviews leading



Information based requirements – What

up to the development of this plan. The aim was to

people need to know, understand and/or

create a profile of skills and knowledge that would

be aware of

enable a community representative to be their most effective at a range of levels throughout Salford



Skills based requirements – including both personal and practical skills

Community Network.

In the final analysis, a Local residents from across Salford are involved in Salford Community Network in a broad range of roles including: 

Attending

general

meetings

at

a

neighbourhood level 

Membership

of

the

Management

Group. A seat on the Local Strategic Partnership 

Attendance at one of the five thematic

“There needs to be an understanding of accountability, of what representation means”

composite profile of over 40 types of skill and of varying

degree’s

of

“People come with their own issues and often don‟t see the „big picture‟”

importance

“We need the confidence to challenge”

The skills and knowledge

“a diagram of the structures we are working in would be easier to get to grips with”

was

developed.

profile

is

designed

to

highlight those skills and information considered to be essential for any role

forums

at any level. The skills and knowledge that may o o o o o

Disability Faith BME Groups Refugee’s and Asylum Seekers Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

be desirable at strategic levels or in issue based areas are of equal value but of a less general nature.

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Skills and Knowledge Profile

Information Understanding and awareness

Awareness of diversity issues

Confidence

Skills Personal & Practical

Communication Listening

Understanding own Role

Sense of humour

Essential to effective involvement

Understanding Equal Opportunities Understanding role of the Network

Assertiveness Influencing

Info on Key contacts

Negotiating

Understanding the 'Big Picture'

Effect Change

Knowledge of Protocols

Skills Requirements Meeting Skills

Knowledge of local Structures

w Personal development plans for all reps to include training needs w Recognise the importance of the 'core skills' (top of circle) w Different skills/knowledge needed at different levels w Monitor effectiveness and impact of personal development plans and learning opportunities

How to reflect views of others

Understanding Accountability Understanding Representation

Diplomacy Creativity Group working Feed back to community

Jargon/Terminology Dealing with conflict Roles of Professionals

Analysing skills

Knowledge of local agencies

Desirable for some levels of involvement

National/Regional relevance Relationships between agancies

Minute Taking Presentation Financial Management

Legislative Issues

Recognising Relevance

Community Development Numeracy/Literacy

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

ICT Skills

Good Memory

Page 5 of 16

3.2

A series of ‘bite-size’ learning opportunities will be

Learning Programme

Co-ordination and development of a learning programme will be contracted out In line with the recommendation in the recent review of Salford

developed

for

community

allowing them to access fundamental learning without having to make major time commitments.

Community Network. Expertise already exists

Written

across the city and in particular the CVS has an

programme

existing programme that will adapt well to the

Community Network, including:

skills and knowledge profile.

People

are

involved

in

Salford

Community

Network at a variety of levels and in a number of different roles. In order to facilitate progression for community

representatives,

the

learning

programme will also need to be progressive.

representatives,

materials will

to be

support

the

developed

by



A guide to Network structures



Terms of reference for each forum



Role descriptions



Information

about

the

Local

learning Salford

Strategic

Partnership

The learning programme will be developed to

A key issue for the learning programme will be at

ensure that learning opportunities are available to

entry level. Getting local residents involved in

match the composite skills and knowledge profile.

Salford Community Network will require a co-

The programme will offer an accessible, flexible

ordinated and targeted approach. Community

range of learning opportunities, recognising the

events that have appeal to specific communities

varied

community

are a good starting point. Information will be

representatives. Learning opportunities should be

available and the Community Organisers can offer

accessible, high quality and fun.

face to face contact.

commitments

of

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

Page 6 of 16

Locally

based

and

The Good Practice Project aims to promote good

development organisations are well placed to

practice in community involvement across local

direct

partners on the Local Strategic Partnership.

people

community

towards

learning

Salford

Community

Network. The Network will actively develop

To date over 250 officers from a range of

relationships

agencies

with

neighbourhood

level

and

organisations

have

received

organisations in order to bridge the gap between

training. In addition the Good Practice Project

entry

have developed Gold Standards and Principles of

level

involvement

and

community

representation.

community involvement.

Learning opportunities will be available at a range

Salford Community Network learning

of geographic locations to cater

“So much jargon; professionals should learn to speak plain English”

programme will complement the work

“Officers have as much to learn as local people”

and community sector counterpart

to need. The ‘bite-size’ learning opportunities will be linked to other

activities

possible.

wherever

Examples

might

include local launch’s, fun days

being

undertaken

by

the

Good

Practice Project, offering a voluntary

and thereby creating more balanced partnerships.

and exhibitions.

The

Salford

Community

Network

learning

Salford Community Network will also promote

programme will also link strategically to other

learning across local partnerships and agencies.

learning programmes across the city. There are a

Mutual

meaningful

range of providers offering high quality learning

partnership working and learning opportunities

opportunities and the learning programme will

understanding

leads

to

need to be available to all partners for it to have

utilise existing resources wherever possible.

real impact.

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

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Progressive learning will be promoted at all levels

Options should be explored with Salford Volunteer

of

opportunity

Bureau about positive ways to recognise the

order to

contributions of community representatives. The

the

network.

undertaken recognise commitment

Every

will be the

learning

certificated

personal

of

each

in

development

individual.

and

Wherever

Volunteer Bureau should also be involved in the development of role descriptions and protocols.

possible, accreditation by recognised bodies will be available to community representatives but

3.3

should be optional.

The Community Learning Grants in Salford are

Community representatives will be encouraged to

currently being administered by Salford CVS. This

attend

specialist

is likely to continue under the single programme

seminars. A separate budget should be defined to

from 1st October. Salford Community Network will

facilitate these opportunities and allow local

be considering a range of options for setting local

people to gain a wider strategic experience of

priorities for the delivery of this programme.

neighbourhood renewal.

Priorities will be linked to the skills and knowledge

relevant

conferences

and

Community Representatives who participate in external conferences and learning opportunities will be expected to cascade their learning to other representatives. This can be in the form of information sessions, reports and presentations to colleagues throughout the Network.

Community Learning Grants

profile in the Learning Plan.

“You can get involved in ways you never dreamed of” “There is plenty of advice around if you know where to look for it, people just need pointing in the right direction” “People get hung up on their own agenda‟s”

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

Page 8 of 16

3.4

Personal Development Plans

We recognise that different roles require different skills

and

varying

levels

of

complexity

of

information. A tailored approach is needed and we aim for every community representative involved in the Network to have a personal development plan and bi annual review.

The

personal development

plan

will

be

a

skills and experience and a learning needs analysis. The personal development plan’s will be and

piloted

using

the

Structural Development

Each role within the Network needs to be accompanied by a role description and a list of skill requirements as well as a code of conduct for the arena in which the role operates. If people understand the purpose of their role up front, they

comprehensive tool offering evaluation of current

developed

3.5

Salford

Community Network Management Group and the

will have more realistic expectations.

In terms of information, basic guidance as to the processes and structure related to each arena should be available in printed form. In addition to printed information, an induction programme will be available.

LSP reps and will eventually be rolled out to include representatives operating at all levels.

The structural developments outlined above will be developed and piloted using the Management

Community Representatives will each have a different combination of the skills/knowledge outlined in the profile. A strong team would include people with different strengths who could

Group

and

the Local Strategic Partnership

Representatives. Again the aim is to roll out this programme

across

the

Network

after

the

developments

will

evaluation of the initial work.

support one another. We are not aiming for a network of super reps, but a co-operative team of

The

focus

on

structural

people with a range of skills, working together

strengthen the capacity of Salford Community

towards shared goals.

Network and add to the value of any learning opportunities.

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

Page 9 of 16

3.6

Mentoring

People need support to fulfil their roles at every level of involvement. The most effective support comes from people who are doing the same type of work. Existing community representatives are best placed to offer support to people newly involved.

Key Points from this Section:  Skills and knowledge profile with over 40 skills/knowledge requirements  Learning programme to be developed to match the skills and knowledge profile

understand the purpose of their role in advance

 Flexible, accessible learning opportunities including entry level activities in local neighbourhoods

they may have unrealistic expectations about

 „Bite-size‟ learning opportunities

what

 Structural issues to be resolved e.g. role descriptions, guide to structures

If a community representative does not fully

can

be

achieved.

Clear

information,

guidance and support from the outset will make a real difference.

Mentoring or buddying is an effective way of

 Induction Programme to be developed and piloted with Core Group

offering

 Partner learning to be promoted

support.

Existing

community

representatives have the best kinds of experience to

support

newly

involved

representatives.

 Links to other agencies and organisations to be developed

Increased confidence as well as reduced isolation

 Grants to be offered to local groups

means that this approach has long term benefits.

 Mentoring to be explored as a support mechanism

Salford Community Network will explore the options for mentoring and aim to have a pilot project in operation within a twelve month period.

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

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4. Overview of Current Provision Salford is a unique City and the learning

we expect within Salford Community Network and joint working should be explored.

opportunities available are equally unique. There

Salford College offer a very broad range of

are a large number of education, training and

learning opportunities some of which might be

learning providers operating at a wide range of

adaptable to meet the needs of the developing

levels and in a number of different areas.

learning programme. Existing learners in this

Salford is home to a prestigious University and

setting can also be targeted with information about involvement in Salford Community Network.

strategically

linked

colleges.

Neighbourhood

learning centres are based in a few of the towns that make up the city as well as a range of specialist training organisations.

Salford Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) offer a comprehensive programme of courses and learning opportunities tailored to the needs of the voluntary and community sectors. This is the

This overview is by no means comprehensive and

natural

is designed to offer a snap shot of what Salford

development of the Salford Community Network

has to offer. It will also serve as an indication of

learning programme, providing added value to

how existing provision can be effectively utilised in

current provision and complementing the capacity

the development of Salford Community Network’s

building work of the CVS.

home

for

the

co-ordination

and

Learning Programme.

Salford Community Network employs a team of

4.1

Existing and Potential links

community organisers; local people trained and employed to work at neighbourhood level to

Salford University are leading a multi-agency project to encourage progression from entry level learning opportunities into higher education. This

stimulate

involvement

in

the

Network.

The

community organisers are well placed to engage people with entry level learning opportunities.

type of progressions is similar to the progression Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

Page 11 of 16

The Good Practice Project works with partner

Local people in Broughton have a surprisingly

agencies on the Local Strategic Partnership. Links

broad range of learning opportunities from Return

with this project will offer excellent opportunities to

to Learn and ECDL to Cake Decorating and

balance the learning opportunities across the

Counselling.

Local Strategic Partnership and the voluntary and

Broughton Trust and the Broughton Database

community sectors.

offer training and support to local people.

Salford Volunteer Bureau specialise in all things

The Broughton Trust employs and trains local

volunteering. Salford Community Network will

people to undertake research projects in the

seek advice from the volunteer bureau to develop

community around a range of issues. Most of

the protocols and structures that will strengthen

these

the voluntary roles across the network. In

neighbourhood

addition, with in-house expertise, the volunteer

approach is effective in keeping people involved.

bureau has extensive experience of providing

Salford Community Network will be reaching out

volunteer related learning opportunities.

to work closely with organisations operating at a

4.2.

Neighbourhood learning in Broughton

projects

are

local

of

renewal

organisations;

direct and

relevance the

The

to

‘buddying’

neighbourhood level; involving local people via the organisations that are developing their skills and understanding of the community in which they

Broughton is an example of learning opportunities that can be found at neighbourhood level.

Broughton was placed 126

Two

in the national the

National indices of deprivation (out of 8000 wards nationally) in 2000 and has issues around literacy

live.

The following table offers a snapshot of available provision, the learning opportunities listed are a small percentage of what each organisation offers.

and numeracy.

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

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4.3

Table of Current Provision

Organisation

Examples of learning opportunities 

Salford Council for Voluntary Service

Salford University

Salford Colleges

Broughton Trust

Extensive short course programme (see appendix)



Community Leadership Programme



Accredited Community Work Skills



Working in Partnerships



Networking



Grants Panel Training



Higher Education



Professional Qualifications



Life Skills Curriculum



Management curriculum’s



Broad programme of courses; ESOL, salsa, counselling,



Training in research and community work skills

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

Access Limitations

Skills/Knowledge covered

People involved in the Voluntary or Community Sectors in Salford.

Most practical and organisational skills. All knowledge requirements.

Entry level requirements

Professional qualifications related to management, strategy, policy etc.

None

Basic skills, Computers for beginners, Intro courses.

Broughton Residents only

Entry level confidence.

Support. Initial interest in community activity

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

ECDL



Occasional special interest on demand



Personal development



Counselling

Salford Volunteer Bureau



Community Organisers

Good Practice Project

Broughton Database

SALVE

Broughton Residents Only

Entry level confidence.

Support. Initial interest in community activity

Currently Seedley residents only

Key personal skills

Wide range of volunteer related training; Partner volunteer training; what does diversity mean? Effective communication

Working in Salford

Key personal skills & knowledge



Organisation of specific sessions as requested or identified need

none

Related to neighbourhood involvement



Consultation awareness



Working with people



Professional staff working across Partners in Salford

Complements and balances the Community Network Learning Plan

Facilitation



Designing and conducting surveys

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

Statutory agencies welcome

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5. Implementation Objective Learning Programme

Key Priorities  Set strategic learning Priorities

Co-ordination Outsourced to Salford CVS with a SLA

 Develop Programme Management Group to develop strategic to match skills & priorities Knowledge profile  Link to other organisations

Who’s Involved

Timescale

CVS, Management Group & other local providers TBC

Links to be promoted

by Management Group

 Use local providers

Structural Developments

 Role Descriptions

Network Manager

Management Group

 Terms of Reference for forums

Network Administrator

Community Reps

Management Group

Salford Volunteer Bureau

 Code of conduct for community representatives

Local Strategic Partnership

 Induction Programme

Information

 Information pack about Salford Community Network & links to LSP

TBC

Good Practice Project

Network Manager Network Administrator Management Group

LSP, Other agencies Good example is City Pride Little guide to salfors

TBC

 Guides to local Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

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structures

Personal Development Plans

 Develop framework

Network Manager

CVS

 Design Format

Network Administrator

VB

 Include training need analysis

Learning Plan Coordinator

Community Representatives

 Pilot with Management Group

Management Group

Community Organisers

Network Manager

Management Group

TBC

 Plan roll out to all levels  Link to support mechanisms  Link to learning plans

Support

 Neighbourhood network development – focus on local relationships  Monthly drop-in’s linking to ‘bite-size’ learning

TBC

LSP representatives Community Representatives Local development and learning organisations

 Explore mentoring opportunities

Salford Community Network Learning Plan 2006

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