This resource provides an example of practice, highlighting an effective partnership approach between Working 4 U West Dunbartonshire Community, Learning and Development (CLD): 'Working 4 U' and West College Scotland.

Due to Covid-19, all learning delivered by Community, Learning and Development (CLD) and College collaboration is being delivered online. The partnership is still working closely together to support learners remotely to complete relevant SQA qualifications and develop their ongoing learning programme. This is now via remote learning using various digital platforms.

How to use this exemplar

This exemplar outlines the importance of a partnership approach, highlighting Community, Learning and Development (CLD) values and competencies throughout the work. Working 4 U (West Dunbartonshire CLD) and West College Scotland work collaboratively to target learners from deprived communities. The learners are recruited, engaged and supported by CLD staff throughout their learning, ensuring ongoing engagement and support. Progression routes are discussed with the college tutors. CLD target learners furthest from employment, who present with multiple barriers such as mental health, physical health, low confidence and poverty.

The exemplar highlights the different, but equally important roles that both CLD and the college bring to the partnership as well as the added value, sustainability and increase in learner offer delivered. The partnership between CLD and the college benefits the learners, whilst also offering a learning programme routed in data-analysis of employability pathways in the community, labour market requirements and community needs.

Explore this exemplar

Why was it done?

The aim was to engage and support the most vulnerable, isolated adults in the West Dunbartonshire area who are the furthest removed from the labour market .

By combining resources and targeting approaches, the learning on offer has been delivered in the local community in collaboration with college-resourced courses to engage adults who are among those most at disadvantage.

The learning highlighted in this case study implements key objectives of the ‘Statement of Ambition for Adult Learning’ in Scotland.

What was the impact?

• The video clips highlight the importance of the partnership approach and the added value that can be developed for learners
• The video clips highlight the importance of understanding the community and targeting learning to identified need within the community
• The case study highlights the importance of guidance and progression along with the impact this makes on learners
• The participants of the case study are also able to highlight challenges to this approach and make suggestions to overcome these challenges working in partnership.

Improvement questions

• How could similar approaches support your Local Authority CLD plan?
• How well do we understand our local community? Are the key features of the local community reflected in our learning pathways?
• How well do we identify priorities, communicate, plan, monitor and evaluate our work with partners? Are we clear what added value each partnership brings?
• What opportunities do our learners and staff have to work with others to contribute effectively to their communities as active citizens?

Videos

The following videos address eight questions.

1. What are the CLD needs and priorities that are being addressed and how is this reflected in the partnership approach?
2. What is the relationship between CLD and the learners and how does this impact on provision?
3. How has CLD embedded guidance and how is this reflected in the CLD approach?
4. How has the CLD and partnership approach impacted on delivery in providing an increased learner offer?
5. How are progression routes and opportunities promoted by CLD and the College?
6. What are the key challenges faced and overcome by the partnership for delivering the learning?
7. What external funding is accessed and why is data collection important?
8. What is the importance of the partnership approach?

You can view eight videos in YouTube playlist below - use the dropdown menu in top right of the viewing pane to navigate.