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Improving Services for Learners with Mental Health Difficulties
NIACE/NIMHE(part of CSIP)/LSC Partnership Programme
The NIACE/NIMHE(part of CSIP)/LSC Partnership Programme has been set up to promote and improve access to learning and skills for people experiencing mental health difficulties. The Partnership Project has already undertaken a survey of provision for people with mental health difficulties in Local Education Authorities, Further Education Colleges, voluntary organisations and training for work providers. These surveys have enabled us to survey levels of provision for learners with mental health difficulties in College of Further Education and Local Education Authorities provision. They will also enable us to benchmark further developments. The surveys have been broken down into regional reports and have acted as an impetus for networking and partnership working. These surveys can be downloaded here on the NIACE website.
The NIACE/NIMHE(part of CSIP)/LSC Partnership Programme has now set up Regional Networks in each of the English regions. The Regional Networks have representation from adult education, mental health services, voluntary and community sector, learners and Local Learning and Skills Councils. Over the next two years the Regional Networks will play a central part in meeting the challenge to promote and improve access to learning and skills for people with mental health difficulties.
Kathryn James, Development Officer, NIACE, kathryn.james@niace.org.uk
> Instructions on how to join the Partnership Programme Virtual Learning Network [PDF]
Regional Programme Officers have been employed by NIACE in each of the 9 English regions but will be based in a Learning and Skills Council office within the region. Each Regional Programme Officer is tasked with the following:
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To report to and work with the Development Officer – Learning and Health to take forward the recommendations in the Social Exclusion Unit Mental Health and Social Exclusion. |
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To work within one Learning and Skills Council Region to develop, in conjunction with the national LSC, a regional action plan that supports the national action plan to promote access to and support for achievement in learning for adults experiencing mental health difficulties. |
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To work with Regional LSC to embed this work within the development plans of the Local Learning and Skills Councils. |
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To work with and support adult learning and skills providers in the region to develop inclusive learning provision for adults with mental health difficulties. |
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To facilitate 4 learning events per year for the Regional Networks. |
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To facilitate and help develop the Regional Network meetings and to maintain effective communication with members of the Regional Networks. |
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To liaise with NIMHE (National Institute of Mental Health in England) Regional Development Centres and other organisations involved in promoting social inclusion for adults experiencing mental health difficulties, including health and social care providers, service user groups, voluntary organisations and employment services in order to promote the aims and objectives of the project. |
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Support the work of the project by providing information to the National Task Group on Mental Health, contributing to any interim or final reports and participating in any evaluation activity. |
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To identify models of good practice and to disseminate these locally, regionally and nationally. |
> Meet the Regional Programme Officers - Mental Health here
