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Case Study: The Learning Curve

Learning Curve Development

• Learning Curve was an existing training delivery organisation managed by the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) in Wiltshire and Swindon. When the opportunity to work with the emerging Learning and Skills Council arose, Learning Curve undertook wide Consultation with voluntary sector organisation about the setting up and preferred structure of a Voluntary Sector Learning consortium. A feasibility study was funded from the LID Fund.

Learning Curve Structure

• Membership is free - members can choose their level of involvement - from information and networking, to being a delivery partner.

• The Trustee Board of Learning Curve (originally 5 CVS nominated Trustees), was broadened to include 2 members nominated from the Learning Curve Network (Consortium) and the Manager of the Lifelong Learning Partnership, as well as an Honorary Treasurer.

• Two ESF Co-Financing projects provided funding for capacity building network members to deliver learning, and in particular Basic Skills.

Learning Curve Roles

• The Learning Curve Network is a delivery organisation. Member organisations aim to deliver high quality training and learning to voluntary sector staff, trustees, volunteers, to users of voluntary sector services, and to the communities they serve.

• The Central administration function is provided by Learning Curve. They draw down mainstream (FE) funding and pass it on to members. (A contract specifies the precise arrangements). Learning Curve provides the Management Information function.

• Learning Curve staff assist members to ensure high quality learning by developing systems and paperwork, a members’ handbook, support and advice and support to develop individual self-assessment reports, which are summarised in an overall Self-Assessment Report for the LSC.

• Learning Curve administers a website, which contains information for members and the general public, and is a marketing tool for the network. Paper-based directories and guides are also produced.

• Learning Curve has taken the lead in forming partnerships with members to bid for further funding, (NLDC, ESF Co-Financing, discretionary funding to raise quality eg staff development, funding to meet legislation eg Disability Discrimination Act Part 4 on behalf of their network.

Learning Curve Helps - Important Factors in Learning Curve Network’s development

Three keys factors have been crucial to the Learning Curves' success:

• The emphasis on the “Network” - Learning Curve provides the administrative hub, but is the managing agent, not the “funder”.

• Involvement of members in a number of ways:

  • asTrustees.

  • in the Network Steering groups (Quality/Diversity).

  • via members’ meetings.

  • through programme review meetings.

• Communication through an accessible Website enables members to access information, forms etc. This is backed up by one to one support from friendly staff who try to be readily available to member organisations.

Learning Curve Future Development Plans include:

• Adult Learner Progression Framework and a research project on learner progression.

• Central accreditation service to enable members to access accreditation more easily.

• Share targets with members to strengthen their involvement.

• Staff Development - the Education Steering Group is working towards developing a guide to appropriate qualifications for teachers and tutors who deliver the programmes. Once agreed with the LSC, we will offer development opportunities across the network.