Making the case for family learning

This page brings together evidence on the impact of family learning on government and local authority priorities, as well as on families' lives, and is intended as a one-stop resource for local authority family learning providers to help you make the case for family learning in your authority.  The information on this page can be quoted and, in some cases, adapted to help you put together the case for your service. 

We will be adding to this page over the coming weeks and months.

We are collecting together case studies, research and evidence that you can use to help you make your case, and making these available through this page.  We are also asking you to send us any materials or evidence that you have produced that you would be willing to share to help other providers make their case. Contact mandy.thomas@niace.org.uk.

If you are a local authority family learning provider and would like to share information with other local authority family learning providers, you might want to join the Family Learning Local Authority Group (FLLAG).  FLLAG is a consortium of local authority family learning officers working to keep family learning at the heart of policy, planning and practice throughout England and beyond.  It meets termly and keeps in touch by an email group, to share and disseminate information, identify and respond to national, regional and local agendas, and influence policy.  Contact fllag@niace.org.uk.  

Local authority family learning providers

Case studies

Individual learner case study - Tammy (Newcastle Family Learning, 2010)
This learner case study from Newcastle Family Learning illustrates a wide range of outcomes from family literacy and numeracy for both parent and child.

On Course: learners' stories (Nottinghamshire County Council)
Nottinghamshire County Council produce a regular newsletter that goes out to local councillors and MPs, with the aim of highlighting the benefits of their adult and family learning provision, through the stories that lie behind the statistics.

Opening the door: case studies from 2008/09 Family Learning Impact Funding programmes (NIACE, 2009)
These case studies show how local authority family learning, working in partnership, can reach families with multiple problems and contribute to local and national priorities.  They include case studies of courses and of individuals.

Providing the evidence: the impact of Wider Family Learning (NIACE, 2009)
These case studies of individuals demonstrate how Wider Family Learning impacts on those individuals' lives and prospects.

Research papers

Grasping the nettle: early intervention for children, families and communities - [PDF] (C4EO, 2010)
This report from the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services examines effective local practice in early intervention. Although family learning is not specifically mentioned, there is a ‘golden thread' on parental involvement running through it. It is being seen as a key document in some local authorities. An executive summary - [PDF] is also available. Thanks to CALAT Family Learning for suggesting this.

Learning literacy together: the impact and effectiveness of family literacy on parents, children, families and schools -[PDF] (NRDC, 2009)
This short report summarises the findings of a two-year evaluation project to assess the impact and effectiveness of family literacy programmes in England. The work was undertaken by the NRDC and NIACE for the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

Evidence documents

Manchester Case Study: Family from Miles Platting - [PDF]
A grid produced by Manchester City Council's Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy team, demonstrating the impact of family learning on individual families, and how it can achieve potential savings in many different areas.

Many for the price of one: the case for family learning and the learning family - [PDF] (NIACE, 2010)
A previously unpublished paper that demonstrates how family learning meets key government priorities, including facts and figures and case study examples.  Could be adapted for local authority contexts.

The impact of learning as a family: a model for the twenty first century - [PDF] (IFLL, 2009)
Paper from the Inquiry into the Future of Lifelong Learning, providing evidence and links to further research.

Key facts on families and learning - [PDF] (NIACE, 2010)
A previously unpublished paper that pulls out key facts on families and learning and the benefits of family learning.  All facts are referenced.

Presentations

Rationale for success of wider family learning (Manchester Adult Education Service, 2010)
A paper that outlines the key strengths of Manchester's wider family learning service in reaching families with complex needs, and some of the challenges facing the service.

Can engaging families lead to better outcomes? - [PDF] (NIACE, 2010)
Presentation used by NIACE to demonstrate the value of engaging families to a 'Children in Scotland' conference.

Consultation responses

Tickell Review of the Early Years Foundation Stage - [PDF] (NIACE, 2010)
NIACE's response to the call for evidence by the Tickell Review includes evidence of the impact of family and parental involvement in children's learning in the Early Years.

To help make the case for the continued funding and delivery of family learning services. 

If you have evidence that you would be willing to share to help other providers make their case, please send it to

Mandy Thomas
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street,
Leicester
LE1 7GE
Tel: 0116 204 2838
Email: mandy.thomas@niace.org.uk