Engaging and supporting homeless people through informal adult learning

[Background] [Aims] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions] [Application Form]

Background

Mainstream learning provision is often inaccessible to homeless people because they can find it difficult to sustain the long-term commitment required of mainstream learners. It can also be unappealing because the curriculum can appear irrelevant to their immediate needs. Conversely, informal adult learning offers opportunities for homeless people to explore their abilities and develop their motivation and selfesteem by offering a curriculum that is engaging and relevant to their current circumstances within a structure that is flexible enough to accommodate their needs.

Recognition of the potential of informal adult learning to support rehabilitation pathways for homeless people is increasing. Recent programmes such as the Transformation Fund and the Community Learning Champions Support Programme have provided funding for a greater volume of provision and encouraged many new providers to become involved. Much of this activity has involved partnership working between learning and skills providers and agencies, which support homeless people.

Developments have reached a stage where it would be helpful to evaluate progress so far in order to make the most of the future potential of informal adult learning for homeless people.

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Aims

The event aims to:

• raise awareness of the potential of informal adult learning in the early engagement of homeless people
• examine the role of informal adult education in assisting rehabilitation and promoting health and well being through the development of personal and social skills
• examine progression routes from informal adult learning towards mainstream learning, work and independence
• evaluate current policy and to make suggestions for future policy development.

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Audience

• Policy makers within governments departments and regional and local authorities
• Managers and practitioners from agencies and intermediaries involved in supporting homeless people including charities, social enterprises, IAG providers, housing associations, probation services and health and social care services
• Managers and practitioners from learning and skills providers.
• People with an interest in informal adult learning and/ or support for homeless learners

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Programme

09:00 Arrival and registration (tea/coffee available)

09:30 Welcome and introduction to the day
Chair: Jacqui McCluskey, Director of policy and knowledge, Homeless Link

09:45 Inspirational spaces, Transformation fund project
Phil de Montmorency, Director of work and learning services, St Mungos

10:10 Informal adult learning at Crisis
Duncan Shrubsole, Director of policy and external affairs and
Margaret Philips, Head of Skylight London, Crisis

10:30 The YMCA football and life academy,Transformation fund project
Richard Holmes, Project manager, Crewe YMCA

10:45 Reading for pleasure and mental health service users
Rachel Davies, Programme director, NIACE

11:00 From informal to formal: Making the QCF work for you
Viv Berkeley, Programme director, NIACE

11:15 Tea/coffee break

11:40 Discussion groups

1) Effective collaboration between agencies supporting homeless people and the learning and skills sector

2) Supporting health and well being through informal adult learning

3) Informal adult learning in a multi-agency working context

12:15 Feedback from the discussion groups

12:30 Closing remarks
Speaker tbc

12:45 Close of conference and lunch

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Event Information

Arrival and registration is at 9:00am for a 9:30am start. The event will end with lunch at 12:45pm

Attendance is free to delegates and is restricted to the target audience (includes lunch, tea and coffee)

Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed application forms (one form per person)

Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions

If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact:

Gurjit Kaur
Tel: 0116 204 2833
Fax: 0116 254 8368
Minicom: 0116 255 6049
E-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk

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Application Conditions

Event: Wednesday 17 March 2010
Closing Date: Wednesday 10 March 2010

Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event

A 10 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille

Completed and signed application forms must be faxed or posted to NIACE by the closing date.
Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted

Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event.

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Application Form

(For people not using the online reservation system above)