Opportunities for Learning The Society’s Education Programme Elisabeth Skinner Practitioners’ Conference: 2014

Stronger through Study You might Want to gain more confidence through learning Be ready to help or encourage others to improve or develop Be totally committed to professional development Want to challenge the need for an education programme

The ethos of professional development and the value of investing in learning The education programme from ILCA to Community Governance, touching on CiLCA and CPD Questions and discussion Is clerking a profession? If so, why? Stronger through Study

The Institute for Learning (IfL) says probably ….. if it involves specialist knowledge, skills and competence evidence of competence demonstrated through practice and qualifications A professional claims to be worthy of trust and confidence. Professionalism

The Institute for Learning says it is more: “a commitment beyond competence and a journey towards a declaration of high worth and esteem, pride in practice and commitment to continuous improvement and development in professional knowledge and practice” Professionalism and the Role of Professional Bodies, IfL, 2009 page 4 Professionalism

Improvement and development through education costs money and time. Is the investment worth it? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? The Investment

Learning motivates people increases commitment creates job satisfaction But people must be motivated to learn so what does each individual need and want to learn? The Investment

Eg: Colleges (ICT, book-keeping, NVQs), Association of AccountingTechnicians, Institute of Leadership and Management, CALCs/CTPs The Society - a strong education programme: ILCA (Introduction to Local Council Administration) Step up to CiLCA CPD courses Community Governance Opportunities

Based on Working with Your Council (1999), it introduces the knowledge in a clear and accessible way: Equivalent to Level 2 of NQF Complies with occupational standards Online to increase accessibility Multiple choice activity tests knowledge Designed to increase assessment uptake ILCA

Who is it for? People new to the profession Aspiring clerks Administrative staff Councillors People preparing for CiLCA ILCA

Written for students in both England and Wales Accessible for both officers and councillors Encourages active thinking 5 modules to match occupational standards Core Roles Law & Procedures Finance Management Community & Planning

The Law & Procedures Module

ILCA

Activity 1 is an online test of basic knowledge to pass at 80% Certificate To help prepare for CiLCA Activity 2 is discussion Activity 3 is a research and writing exercise reviewed by a trainer Certificate

ILCA Activity 2 Discussion through SLCC webinars, the online forum, branch-led groups or the mentoring officer Activity 3 Write up discussions CiLCA-type exercises Researching your own council

CiLCA CiLCA is a qualification – not a training course; people still need a training course to prepare for CiLCA SLCC provides ILCA (2 & 3) and Step Up to CiLCA training events Review of CiLCA due - to set it more firmly at Level 3

Community Governance The process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)” ……. in a community and in community organisations UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ce.asp ce.asp

Community Governance “ways in which agencies such as local councils, principal authorities, voluntary and community organisations, and other agencies deliver services, engage local communities and work in partnership” CG programme specification available from governance/39/

Community Governance Established in 1987 Flexible modules and awards from Levels 4 and 5 (leading to Level 6) Advanced learning (higher education) Builds on ILCA and CiLCA; builds confidence and depth of knowledge Qualified clerk status Academic but practical and relevant Validated by University of Gloucestershire (quality assurance, awards, rules)

For the CertHE Level 4: Community Governance: Local Council Management (all modules but one are 15 pts) Community Governance Local Council Law & Procedures (30 pts) Local Council Finance One from Community Development Partnership Working Community Profile Community Governance

One from Sustainable Development Community-led Planning The Planning System One from Sustainable Development Community-led Planning The Planning System

Community Governance One from Managing People Managing Projects Organisational Management One from Learning at Work CPD

Community Governance 44 students taking Level 4 modules to in 2014 (Level 5 starts 2015) Academic year from February to November (apply by Christmas) Cost in 2014 is £450 per 15pts plus day schools Learning at work and through assignments –reports,, booklets, presentation materials, workplace documents Learning with support –tutors, mentors, day schools, self-help groups, online discussion

Action for Learning Encourage and facilitate Plan investment in learning and professionalism –CG January 2015 Your thoughts and questions welcome. Stronger through Study