Contact information

Name

Cheryl Turner

Job title

Network Facilitator

Postal address

c/o NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE

Telephone number

0116 2044217

Email address

cheryl.turner@niace.org.uk

General information

About the organisation

Consortia+ is a national network of voluntary and community sector learning consortia and other infrastructure organisations with a focus on learning and training. It also involves regional voluntary sector networks, or fora, along with key national VCS bodies. The network is facilitated by NIACE.

Aims and objectives

Aim:

• promote the development and delivery of high quality, responsive adult learning through the VCS and support the contribution of specialist and generic infrastructure bodies to that process.

Objectives:

• strengthen networking between VCS learning consortia and other infrastructure bodies with a focus on learning;
• promote the development and circulation of effective practice;
• offer training and development opportunities for member organisations;
• disseminate updates on relevant developments in policy and practice;
• support the contribution of VCS organisations to adult learning policy and planning, and where appropriate, offer a coherent, collective view on behalf of members;
• advocate on behalf of member organisations.

Main activities

Membership meetings are held on a quarterly basis (approximately) and are opportunities for networking, sharing practice, receiving updates on key developments in relevant policy and practice from specialist speakers, and discussing issues of common interest.

The network has an email group, managed by NIACE. This enables Consortia+ members to circulate information, questions and requests for help. The network is also able to use the Learning from Experience website to post information, documents, case studies etc. (www.niace.org.uk/projects/learningfromexperience).

Consortia+ has started to acquire a more strategic role, including advocacy and offering a collective response to key development.

Geographical area covered

England

Funding sources

Formerly the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Currently the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Information about learning and training

Main activities

Sharing effective practice and information across a wide range of relevant areas e.g.

• outreach;
• learner support;
• curriculum development;
• appropriate delivery;
• monitoring and evaluation;
• information, advice and guidance;
• quality issues and preparing for inspection;
• accessing and managing funding;
• reporting and auditing requirements;
• building partnerships;
• strategic engagement;
• equality and diversity issues;
• intercultural awareness.

Training for member organisations, and opportunities for peer support.

Organisations supported

All government regions are represented. Member organisations cover a spectrum of experience from very well-established consortia through to those at an early stage of their development.

Organisational links

VCS frontline and infrastructure organisations

Member organisations have their own membership which includes large and small local VCS organisations engaged in delivering adult learning. They also work with organisations new to the field of learning and skills and those with many years' experience.

Strategic bodies outside the sector

• Regional Skills Partnerships
• Regional Development Agencies
• Government Offices in the Regions
• Local Strategic Partnerships
• Learning Partnerships
• Learning and Skills Council - national, regional and local level
• Government Departments (e.g. DfES, DCMS, DTI, Home Office)
• ChangeUp Hubs - national and subregional
• Community Empowerment Networks