Review and next steps
Declan Baharini
What we will be doing today
Understanding the context of the review
Looking at the outcomes of the online
survey and proposed actions
Identifying priorities for the short and
medium term for the Consortium
Learning Consortium context
Network of 50 organisations
Variety of size and type of delivery
Wide reach into communities of place and
interest across Northumberland
Representation on a number of networks
Large body of knowledge and experience
Secretariat provided by NCDN
Wider context
Increasingly competitive funding context
Difficult economic climate for VCS
More demand for services around training,
learning, IAG and employability support
Changing political and policy context
nationally, regionally and within county
Review requirements
Learning Consortium meeting in July
identified key issues to be clarified:
Purpose and roles
Accountability
Transparency
Representation
Secretariat
Time to focus
Common purpose
Clear roles and responsibilities
Identified goals
Focused approach
Be a trusted Consortium
Exercise real influence
The future
Collaboration
Co-operation
Partnership working
Within the sector
With the public and private sector
Review – September 2009
Modernisation Fund Phase 1 support
Independent Online Survey to address
concerns and build consensus
Focus Group with members to identify
short, medium and long term priorities
Option for Phase 2 support for next steps
Online Survey - Elements
Role and purpose of consortium
Steering Group to provide leadership and
accountability and transparency
Representation on outside networks
Communications and meetings
Secretariat role and remit
Online Survey Results
55 individual responses
46 organisations represented
4 public sector organisations
Summary Report
Primary aim and objective
Northumberland Voluntary and Community Sector Learning
Consortium is a network for VCS organisations which
provide skills, training, guidance and complementary
support services to people in Northumberland.
96%
The main aim of the Consortium is to strengthen
the capacity of the sector to deliver quality
learning and skills to the people of
Northumberland.
90%
Roles - Consensus
Information sharing on learning, skills and IAG
Facilitating collaboration and joint working
Representation on key partnerships
89%
84%
80%
Coordinating and promoting workforce development
Support organisations to deliver new qualifications
Forum to debate issues and plan responses
Broker to support consortium bids
73%
78%
78%
78%
Roles
Lead body for consortium bids
69%
Assistance on training, assessors and IAG providers
Supporting multi-sectoral partnerships
Access to accredited status
67%
64%
60%
Quality standards for content and delivery
Supporting organisational development
56%
56%
Support for Matrix accreditation and quality standards
Supporting organisations to achieve PQQ
38%
56%
Accountability and Transparency
 Steering Group
 Mandate from members
 81% Specific issue
meetings/events
 79% Surveys
 67% General meetings
 Membership:
 96% Mix of large/small
 84% Range of providers
 81% Geographic spread
 74% Specialist networks
 63% Public sector
 Elected by members
 Annually or bi-annually
 7-10 members
 59% of NCVS LC
members would serve
Representation
 Nominations
 57% via Steering Group
and endorsed by
members
 Feedback in a variety of
ways (notes, web,
meetings, emails, links)
 40% of respondents
prepared to represent
the Learning Consortium
 Groups and networks:
 67% NVCS Consortium
 64% County Council
 62% Employability CollPt
 45% VONNE
43% NEWS
 36% T&W Emplyt Cnstm
Communication
Which methods of communication would you prefer for the following
activities of the Consortium (please tick all that apply):
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Email
Website
Newsletter
Partnership
requests
New contract
opportunities
Policy
information
Feedback from
representatives
Progress
reports
Case studies
Breaking news
Event
information
Meeting
information
Meeting
Meetings
Full consortium quarterly 76%
Elements:
Feedback from representatives 83%
Funding and contracting opportunities 83%
VCS LC programmes progress/issues 76%
Networking sessions 71%
Policy changes and implications 61%
Wider skills agenda 51%
Feedback from county/regional networks 51%
Profiling organisations and agencies 32%
Special events
Special events – 100%
Collaborative contracting 76%
New opportunities 76%
Public and private sector meetings 73%
Networking and awareness raising 68%
Workforce development 56%
New areas of policy and practice 54%
Secretariat function
 Administrative support
95%
 List of members and profiles
95%
 Maintaining database of contacts
 Maintaining website
95%
93%
 Arranging meetings and speakers
 Circulating information
 Organising events
90%
88%
80%
 Responding to members' queries
 Briefings to representatives
78%
63%
 Promoting collaboration and opportunities
 Induction and capacity building
50%
60%
Next steps
New Terms of Reference
Person specifications for roles
Secretariat roles and remit
Establish Steering Group
Establish Representation
Protocol for bids on behalf of VCS LC
Separate website for VCS LC
Workshop session
Priorities for the next 6 months (yellow)
Priorities for the next 12-18 months (blue)
Identify special events required
Thank you and good luck