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Case Study: A Model of Partnership: VCO Skills for Life Provision in Devon

Most voluntary organisations who are members of Exeter CVS involve volunteers in key aspects of their work. Many now recognise the value of training to ensure a consistency of service provision, to provide an opportunity to assess and screen volunteers, and to reward volunteers. Some organisations provide their own in-house training programmes two or three times a year and in some cases these have been accredited via the Open College Network South West. None are directly obtaining mainstream funding for their provision.

In meetings with the local College of Further Education it has been recognised that it would not be cost effective for organisations, offering one or two courses each year to enter into a full franchise arrangement with the College. Instead a partnership approach to provision has been adopted, with ECVS delivering programmes with the VCOs.

A further development has been the recent funding to capacity build the sector to contribute to the basic skills targets. Two approaches have been identified:

• Embedded basic skills (e.g. Speaking Up accredited programme)
• Promotion of Skills Brush Up sessions and the Move On approach to National Tests (e.g. Mentoring for Change accredited programme)

The partners and the parts they play are shown below:

Role: The Provider
Organisation: Local College of Further Education
Contribution: Mainstream funding Quality Assurance systems: Training; Teaching observations; Franchise partner meetings.  MIS requirements Self Assessment Review

Role: The Infrastructure Development Organisation/ franchise partner
Organisation: Exeter CVS
Contribution: Trainers experienced in sector Specially designed courses to meet sector requirements Basic skills support to trainers Other support around access issues Capacity building for VCOs e.g. policies and procedures, Training the Trainer and FENTO Interim Cert etc. Funding and resources Interface with the LSC and College requirements Links to other initiatives e.g. RARPA

Role: The VCO
Organisation: 1.Volunteer Carers Project, 2. Learning Difficulties Advocacy Project, 3. Diversity Project, DRIVE
Contribution: Recruitment of learners Supporting learners Help in completing paperwork Supporting completion of ILPs Contextualisation of curriculum to motivate and ensure relevance.

This model is now being rolled out across Devon in partnership with the other Councils for Voluntary Service and their hosted Volunteer Bureau. The learning opportunities will be available to all sector organisations, but any members of partner CVSs will enjoy reduced fees and priority for places on courses.