Peterborough Community Learning Trust Fund

2015-2016

Prospectus, Guidance notes and FAQs

Peterborough Community Learning Trust Fund Prospectus, Guidance notes and FAQs 2015-16

INTRODUCTION

2015 - 2016 sees the launch of the Peterborough Community Learning Trust (The Trust).

The Community Learning Fund has been launched again this year to support and encourage the Voluntary and Community Sector, other third sectors and not-for-profit organisations to deliver innovative learning that supports disadvantaged adults aged 19+ and address the local key priorities, as well as responding to the purposes of Community Learning funding which are to:

maximise access to community learning for adults, bringing new opportunities and improving lives, whatever people's circumstances

promote social renewal by bringing local communities together to experience the joy of learning and the pride that comes with achievement

maximise the impact of community learning on the social and economic well-being of individuals, families and communities.

The Trust will make available funding which local organisations and groups can bid for to offer informal community learning opportunities. The Trust’s funding also includes the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) funding.

PRIORTIES

National and local strategic planning has informed the priorities chosen for support this year. City College Peterborough works with over 70 partners and has representation on a number of local, regional and national strategic groups. Some of these groups include:

the Skills Partnership Strategic Board

Vulnerable Young People Board

Children, young people and families Commissioning Board

Workbased Learners' Provider Forum

Financial Inclusion Forum

Adult Social Care Board

Tacking Worklessness in Peterborough

Cambridgeshire Adult Skills Board

Senior Citizens' Forum

Community Cohesion Board

Prevent Strategic Board

Peterborough Skills Partnership Board

There are THREE local priorities to be supported under the Community Learning Funding during 2015-16.2

PRIORITY 1: IMPROVING ADULTS’ SKILLS INCLUDING EMPLOYABILITY, ENGLISH, MATHS AND ITThis area of work will focus on skills and employability of local communities with a focus on improving the functional skills in English, Maths and IT. Please note that this funding cannot support discrete ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) provision, where ESOL is the main learning aim although a programme of learning may support ESOL learners to improve their English as added value but not as the main aim of the programme.

PRIORITY 2: IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLBEINGThis area will focus on improving the health and lifestyles of communities through learning new practical skills, empowering individuals through learning and increasing confidence and social skills.

The following are examples of the kinds of activity to be supported:

Community talks and advice sessions e.g. activities which promote mental and physical health and wellbeing such as healthy eating, parenting, how diet affects health, slips, trips and falls, managing stress, relaxation and keeping fit.

Traditional adult learning such as arts/ crafts / languages to engage new under-represented learners such as retired people on low incomes to participate in learning for social and economic wellbeing

Tasters of learning and support to encourage individuals, families and communities to take up informal learning opportunities with the aim of improving physical and mental health and wellbeing. Please note that in family learning, only adults over 19 can be funded and counted as learners.

PRIORITY 3: IMPROVING COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND COHESION Activities to support integration and cohesion among Peterborough’s diverse communities.

Activities that develop community cohesion, community self-help or potential for community social enterprise.

Development of activities offering the learning and sharing of cultural and / or intergenerational traditions

The Skills Funding Agency have stated that English, Maths and IT skills are essential in enabling people to function in society and progress in learning and employment and therefore English, Maths and IT (where appropriate) must be embedded into the delivery and assessment of all courses. If you are unsure about how this can be achieved the Trust can provide support and guidance.

PRIORITY GROUPS

To ensure that public funding is focussed on people that are disadvantaged and least likely to participate, the College will invite applications of interest for the commissioning / delivery of community learning from organisations that work with adults:

with low levels of language, literacy, IT and numeracy; with low levels of skills; who live in disadvantaged postcodes and areas with low participation in learning; who are older people and who don’t traditionally access learning or are unable to do so; who are unemployed or economically inactive; parents / carers who need help to support children in school;

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from ethnic minorities who need support to access learning; with disabilities or with learning difficulties; who are ex- offenders and probation clients; who are experiencing mental or physical health issue; with or recovering from drug or alcohol dependency; who are working in a voluntary role; who are homeless or living in hostel accommodation?

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR FUNDING?

All applications to the Trust’s Community Learning Fund must meet the following essential key criteria:

1. The engagement of adult learners aged 19 years or older on 31 August 2015, eligible for funding (see FAQs) and in one or more of the priority groups listed above. If during the project it is shown that the project has not recruited at least 75% of the learners participating in that project from the priority groups listed above, then the Trust reserves the right to withhold any further funding from the partner.

2. Target learners must reside or work within Greater Peterborough postcodes (Peterborough City and North Cambridgeshire) and the learning must take place in the Greater Peterborough area.

3. The amount of funding needed for the project should be at least £10,000 and not exceed £40,000. (Potential partners seeking funding for less than £10,000 should speak with City College Peterborough.)

4. Funding is to be used primarily for revenue projects only.

5. Funding will be for the delivery of a total of 3 hours or more. This may be spread over a number of days or weeks.

6. It will be a requirement of funding to record and track learners’ attendance, retention, progress and achievement as well as to undertake a follow-up of learners’ progression and impact of the training. It is the responsibly of the delivery partner to ensure these requirements are met in full.

7. All delivery partners in the partnership must cooperate fully with the quality assurance processes – please refer to the FAQs for further details.

8. Compulsory attendance at partner training sessions

9. Monthly monitoring meetings

10. Monthly submission of monitoring reports and invoices for delivery costs supported by evidence

Further requirements may be set out in your contract should you be successful.

Funding allocationsIt is acknowledged and agreed between the parties that should City College Peterborough fail to secure

relevant funding from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) or should such funding be suspended or withdrawn

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for any reason, then City College Peterborough shall notify the partner as soon as it is aware of the

position and in such circumstances City College Peterborough shall be under no further obligation to pay

for the provision of the services by the partner provided after the date that City College Peterborough has

been formally notified by the SFA that such funding has been suspended or withdrawn.

THE TIMETABLE AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS

TIMETABLE OF KEY DATES

Date Activity9th September 2015 Launch of the 2015/16 Peterborough Community Learning Trust Fund

Prospectus and an application briefing session.7th October 2015 Deadline for submission of applications to the fund.w/c 12th October 2015

Funding panel appraisal of applications.

19th October 2015 Successful applicants will be notified by telephone/email – unsuccessful applicants will receive written confirmation at a later date.

w/c 19th October 2015

Individual pre contracting meetings with successful applicants and Partnership Contract issued.

30th October 2015 Contracts signed and returned.

2nd November 2015 Delivery of the project starts

31st July 2016 All Community Learning Fund activities complete for 2015/16

HOW WILL PROJECTS BE SELECTED?

All applications will be assessed against the scoring framework in Annex B found in the Peterborough Community Learning Trust Fund 2015-2016 Application, by a funding panel made up of representatives from City College Peterborough and their partners. The panel will score proposals based on the responses to the questions in the application form.

The panel will need to be satisfied that organisations have the capacity and experience to deliver the activity described including meeting the quality and contractual requirements set down. Full support will be available to organisations/groups to aid the delivery of their programmes where the need is identified.

The panel is looking to provide a balanced offer of provision and to impact on as many disadvantaged communities and groups as possible. Therefore, the panel reserves the right to award projects to provide an appropriate geographical and demographical spread. The panel reserves the right to amend the requested funding in order to facilitate collaboration with partners who are also seeking funding for similar types of projects.

The panel’s decision on funding is final.

Successful bidders will be contacted on 19th October 2015. Unsuccessful bidders will be notified in writing at a later date.

Individual pre contracting meetings with successful organisations will start week commencing 19 th

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October 2015. Details about these discussions along with final activity approval and the contracting process will follow for all successful organisations.

HOW TO APPLYTo apply for funding, you will need to complete the 2015/16 Peterborough Community Learning Trust Fund Application Form. Copies of the form will be initially available at the launch event and can be obtained after this by emailing the Community Coordinator. community2015@citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

Application forms should be submitted via email to: community2015@citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

Applications should arrive no later than 5pm on 7th October 2015. Late applications cannot be accepted.

All applications will be recorded on the afternoon of the closing date and an email to confirm receipt will be sent to the address supplied on the application form. Each application will be allocated a unique identification number which you should quote in any further correspondence.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL

PaymentsFor successful applications, contract payments will be made against agreed outputs discussed and agreed during the pre-contracting meetings.

Payments will be made upon receipt of a valid invoice accompanied by the appropriate evidence requirements as specified in the Partnership Contract.

Final payment will be made against the successful completion of all project documentation and a final project evaluation report. All original receipts and evidence will need to be retained for auditing purposes. City College Peterborough may retain 20% of the agreed allocation and the Provider will be paid this full amount at the end of the course, upon evidence of retention, achievement and invoices that are satisfactory to City College Peterborough.

Teaching QualificationsWe will require the tutors/trainers who are involved in the delivery of some areas of teaching and learning (such as learning with a focus on Maths, English, IT or Employability) to be suitably qualified in their area of specialism or working towards, as a minimum, the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (Previously PTLLS) teaching qualification. If a suitably qualified tutor is not available to deliver the training, you will need to explore alternative arrangements E.g. City College Peterborough may be able to provide you with a qualified tutor or direct you to other partners with qualified tutors.

ReportingSuccessful projects will be required to capture specified learner information throughout the life of the project and conduct a progression/destination survey of all learners after they have completed their course. All forms for capturing information and data will be provided by the Trust. Other paperwork and reporting requests may be also be applied. All successful organisations will be expected to comply with these requests; failure to do so may result in the withholding of payments. Full training and support will be provided by the Trust.

Safeguarding LearnersAll successful organisations are required to provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment ensuring that learners are safe and protected. Organisations working specifically with vulnerable groups must comply with the current Disclosure and Barring Bureau Service (DBS).

Equality and DiversityAll successful bidders are required to actively promote Equality and Diversity and to ensure that they create the opportunities for people to develop to their best potential, aim high and achieve employment, career or enhance their personal wellbeing. All learners will have access to the levels of service and support that are appropriate to their needs.

Provision of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)It is expected that all learners participating on funded projects will receive IAG as part of their programme. This service should be integral to the delivery of all projects and should be delivered at the start of the project (for example, by an initial assessment of learners' needs) during the project (for example, by giving learners feedback on their progress and making suggestions for improvement) and at the end of the project. Specialist IAG can be provided, free of charge, through the National Careers

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Service, for any organisation who does not hold a direct contract of their own. As this fully funded service exists, no costs for IAG are expected to be included in your project costs. City College Peterborough can also provide National Careers Service IAG.

Data ProtectionCity College Peterborough will use the information provided during the recruitment process only to process the application and provide data to Government Departments and other bodies in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Personal Data will be treated in confidence and will not be disclosed to any third party except where the College is required or permitted to do so by law, or where the individual has given his / her consent in advance. It is a requirement that all learners’ details are provided, should this not be possible for any reason please speak to the College. Learners who have incomplete details will not be recorded against the learner target number.

Support availableOngoing support will be made available to each successful project with the purpose of enabling delivery of the project successfully, to build the organisation’s capacity and to aid self-sufficiency for the longer term.

Principles of fundingPlease note that if you are successful with your application it will be necessary for City College Peterborough to work with you to ensure that your organisation and the College are compliant with the rules regarding SFA funding. Please note that these projects are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), including the European Social Fund (ESF), and, as such, the tutors/trainers and systems to support the learners are subject to Ofsted inspection. The College will also conduct observations of teaching, learning and assessment, using the Ofsted criteria.All learners participating in the funded projects are learners of City College Peterborough. This should be made known to the learners at the start of their course and that the funding comes from the SFA and ESF. As a learner of City College Peterborough, they have the same rights and access to the same support processes as any other learner at the College.Any paperwork that the partner decides to use that is in addition to or replaces the paperwork supplied by the Trust, must comply with the SFA and ESF rules regarding ESF branding and logos. Further details on this are available from City College Peterborough.

Don’t meet the criteria of the funding?If your group does not currently meet the requirements and you would like to apply to the fund in the future, please contact Sharon Preston-High using community2015@citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk for information, help and support.

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Guidance on completing the application form

Applications received in any format other than the application form provided will not be accepted.

Please answer all the questions, address all bullet points within the questions, and keep within any specified word limits – answers which exceed the given word limit will have a line ruled at the correct point in the text and appraisers will ignore any information below that point.

Unless otherwise stated in the question, only information contained in the answer sections of the application form will be considered.

Please do not email any supplementary information or papers - these will not be taken into account.

The value of projects should be no less and no more than the stated minimum and maximum available.

No match funding is required but where contributions from other organisations will input to the project this should be clearly shown within the Pound plus Section 8 of the application.

Do not overestimate the number of learners you expect to enrol on your project. Your proposal will be appraised based on the numbers you provide and therefore if successful your target outputs will reflect the numbers stated in your application. Failing to meet target outputs may result in your funding allocation being reduced. There is not a specified value (£) for individual learners, this will be dependent on the learning you are providing.

The appraisal panel recognises that some learners will need more intensive support than others and will take this into account when judging the projects value for money provided that, within your application, you have demonstrated the needs of the learner.

City College Peterborough has been allocated the funding by the SFA and will retain 15% of the overall funding (not of the individual applications) to manage the contracts.

A maximum of only 5% of the funding can be spent on capital items such as IT equipment, cameras and so on.

Hourly teaching rates must include preparation as well as actual teaching. We would not expect tutors to be paid extra for preparation or hourly rates to exceed £25 per hour. If the rate does exceed this, then a justification needs to be provided

The total of the administration and management fees should not exceed 15% of the overall bid. The funding will not pay for governance costs.

Any provider needing guidance and support on funding should contact City College Peterborough.

Tel: Sharon Preston-High, Quality & Subcontracting Manager 19+ on 01733 761361

Email: spreston-high@citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

ANNEX A Question 5 – Project Milestones

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Month/Date

Activity No of learners

No of weeks

Sept 15

Oct 15

Nov 15 * Attend at least one of the City College Peterborough partner training sessions

Recruit learners onto the course 20 2

Healthy eating course for group 2 starts 20 1

Dec 15 * Attend at least one of the City College Peterborough partner training sessions

Recruit learners onto the course 20 1

Healthy eating course for group 1 starts 20 1

Jan 16 End of Nov assessments and end of course review 20

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Feb 16 End of Dec assessments and end of course review 20

Mar 16 Attend mid course review

April 16

May 16

June 16

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ANNEX B - Funding Criteria Scoring The criteria below relate to the SFA funding rules in relation to Community Learning. This is used by the panel when considering applications. This criteria comes from “New Challenges, New Chances”.

Criteria Scoring 1= low; 4= high

1 2 3 4

Does the learning programme….

1. Maximise access to community learning for adults 19+ (particularly new learners) in at least one of the priority groups listed in the Greater Peterborough area?

2. Demonstrate that the delivery of learning is innovative, adds value and is not a duplication of what is already on offer in that area?

3. Maximise the effect community learning has on the social and / or economic wellbeing of individuals, families and communities?

4. Include innovative and creative approaches to encourage adults into learning?

5. Demonstrate appropriate initial assessment, monitoring and recording of progress and achievement in adult learning?

6. Identify appropriate progression advice and opportunities for the learner?

7. Demonstrate a positive impact on the learner acquiring new skills, e.g. social, personal, employability skills?

8. Offer good value for money (numbers of learners, engagement of priority groups etc. capital is not above 5% and the learning glh is varied etc....)?

9. Identify partners and their contribution to the learning programme?

10. Demonstrate the inclusion and value of Pound Plus?

11. Identify potential risks to the success of the learning programme?

12. Explain how the programme(s) will be sustained when funding ends?

13. Have a clear project plan with Smart milestones?

Total /52

Any additional comments

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ANNEX C – RARPA definition

What is RARPA (Recognising And Recording Progress and Achievement)?

AimsAll courses should have clearly defined aims. These will need to be set out on the schemes of work

Initial AssessmentThis can be formal or informal and is used to identify the learners’ knowledge of the subject at the start of the learning and any difficulty from the outset. It is important to establish a starting point so that both the learner and the tutor can measure the progression throughout the course.

Challenging Objectives The negotiation of learning objectives will allow the learner to measure the progress they have made.

Formative AssessmentThis is the evidence of learning throughout the course and can be recorded in many formats to allow the tutor and learner to reflect upon their learning and progress and provides them with appropriate feedback. Evidence for this stage of the process includes

Records of learner self-assessment or learner feedback on progress Tutor records of assessment activities and individual/group progress and achievement Files, diaries, portfolios, artwork, videos, performances, exhibitions and displays Individual or group learner testimony Artefacts and photographs

Summative AssessmentSame as above and it could also include recognition of learning outcomes that were not specified during the course.

This process is designed to:

focus on and promote the needs and interests of learners take account of learners’ diverse and multiple purposes in learning allow for negotiation of the content and outcomes of learning programmes encourage learners to reflect on and recognise their own progress and achievement – increasing

confidence. promote and support informed learner self assessment, peer assessment and dialogue about

learning and achievement between learners and tutors enable achievement and planned learning objectives not originally specified to be recognised and

valued. promote good practice in teaching, learning and assessment enhance providers’ quality assurance and improvement practice

Fitness for purpose – RARPA is a model that encourages tutors to customise activities and recording for their learners; it is an inclusive model that is flexible enough to be used equally with learners.Methods

Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are the most common form of recording the learning that is taking place on all courses however short courses, events, taster sessions and trips all need learning to be recorded.

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There are many suggestions such as a simple form or for courses such as like swimming, pottery; events etc… can be done through other methods such as taking photos of the progression of a project, talking sticks and even interactive equipment.

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ANNEX D – An example of the total cost breakdown

Activity / Item Who Hourly rate Total hours Total cost Your Pound Plus (£+) contribution

Total value (£) of funding claimed

COURSE DELIVERY

Teaching (hourly rate includes planning, initial assessment; marking and completing all paperwork)

Teaching A NAME 23 40 920 0 920

COURSE RESOURCES / EQUIPMENT

Learning Support

COOKERY INGREDIENTS

A NAME N/A N/A 100 50 100

Materials and equipment

Capital costs must not exceed 5% of the overall project value.

LAPTOP 250 50 250

CAMERA 100 25 100

MARKETING AND PUBLICITY

POSTERS 200 50 200

Activity / Item Who Hourly rate Total hours Total cost Your Pound Plus (£+) contribution

Total value (£) of funding claimed

FACILITIES AND SUPPORT (e.g. room hire, childcare, volunteer travel)

ROOM HIRE 10 10 100 100 100

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Management A NAME 15 10 150 50 150

Administration A NAME 8 15 120 30 120

OTHER (please list)

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Total funding requested £1,940

Total value of Pound Plus you will contribute £355

Total of the project (funding and Pound plus) £2,295

Total cost per individual learner (cost of project/no of learners) 2295/40 £57.38

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q: What is the Community Learning Trust Fund?

The Community Learning Trust Fund (CLT) is available for learning projects throughout the Greater Peterborough area. This funding is available via City College Peterborough’s SFA contract.

Q: What can the fund be used for?

The aim of projects is to attract and successfully engage with priority groups of learners in targeted communities (refer to pages 3 and 4 above)

Q: How much funding is available?

The maximum amount is £40,000 in total for any organisation with a minimum of £10,000. For enquires about any amounts below or above these, please speak to Janet Bristow, Vice Principal.

Tel: 01733 293886

Email: jbristow@citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

Is it possible to apply for funding for projects that operate beyond 31 July 2016?

No. Currently applications can only be made for the academic year finishing on 31st July 2016. There is no guarantee of funding beyond this date.

Does the project have to operate over a full academic year?

No. Projects can be planned to start and finish at anytime during the year, but they must be completed by 31 July 2016.

Who can apply for a grant from the CLT Fund?

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Any organisation/group/charity that is a legal entity is entitled to apply. Partnerships of organisations are also welcomed.

Q: Is the fund targeted particularly at the voluntary sector?

No, any legal organisation can apply.

Q: Am I required to produce a project plan?

Yes, a plan for the delivery is necessary, although the detail is not required with the application. If your application is successful, a detailed action plan either in the form of a schedule or a scheme of work is necessary.

Q: What types of projects are not funded?

Generally projects are not funded where there is no evidence of learning, either clear or implicit. Neither will projects be funded where the total funding is available from other sources. Projects must not be double funded.

Q: What age must the learners be?

It is a requirement of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) that all learners must be 19 or over on 31 August 2015.

Q: Do the learners have to be 'new'?

Learners need to be ‘new’ to funding within the current academic year. A learner is able to attend more than one event/taster/course that you arrange as it is realised that some learners cannot progress directly to other accredited courses or to employment. Projects that show progression routes for learners will be considered for funding however the learner will be counted only once.

Q: Are projects that lead to a qualification eligible for funding?

The main purpose of the funding is to engage with 'hard-to -reach' or disadvantaged learners. If a project offering a qualification is the most appropriate way, then the project would be eligible for funding.

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Q: What is a Guided Learner Hour? Guided learning hours (glh) are defined as all times when a member of staff is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised studying, for example, in open learning centres and learning workshops. It does not include time spent by staff in the day-to-day marking of assignments or homework, where the learner is not present or induction to the partner or aim. It also does not include hours where supervision or assistance is of a general nature and is not specific to the study of the learners.

Q: When will I receive payments?

These will be agreed with successful applicants on receipt of satisfactory reports and evidence as outlined in the Partnership Contract.

Q. What are the expected hourly rates of pay for staff?Administration £7 to £10Management £10 to £15Tutors £15 to £25 – dependent upon qualifications and experience as a teacher

Q: How will the project be monitored and evaluated?

Your project will be monitored by the submission of end of month reports and several visits during delivery to ensure that it meets the required quality standards. Both you and your learners will be asked to complete course/project evaluations.

Q: What happens if I don't reach my target number of learners?

Your project will be assessed on an individual basis but your funding may be reduced accordingly.

Q: Can previous recipients of funding apply?

Previous applicants are welcome to apply.

Q: When can delivery take place?

Once funding is approved, projects can start as soon as reasonably possible but must be completed by 31st July 2016.

Q: What time do the applications have to be submitted for on the deadline date?

5pm.

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Q: What are the quality assurance processes?

You will have to provide :

1. A Scheme of Work (SoW) for the whole course – the form and guidance on how to complete it can be provided by City College Peterborough

2. A Lesson Plan (LP) for each class - the form and guidance on how to complete it can be provided by City College Peterborough

3. Enrolment forms – an example will be provided by City College Peterborough4. Register or attendance log – signed off by the tutor 5. Individual learning plans (ILP) – examples and support on how to complete them will be

provided by City College Peterborough. Please see Annex C for more information. 6. GROPA form – form to be provided by City College7. Evaluation forms from the learners8. All partners will be observed in teaching, learning and assessment. These sessions are

ungraded but will make judgements and provide support.

What is meant by Pound Plus (£+)Pound Plus (£+) is where the organisation will provide ‘in-kind’ contributions to the project such as venue hire, management time, marketing, stationary and so on, this can include Volunteer time which is normally equated to £11.06 per hour.

We do not have a UKPRN. What is this and how do I apply for one?

The UK Register of Learning Providers is a 'one-stop' portal to be used by government departments, agencies, learners, and employers to share key information about learning providers. The UKRLP allows providers to update their information in one place and share this across agencies such as the Skills Funding Agency, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and UCAS.Each provider on the register has been allocated a UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN). This is the unique identifier used to share information with the UKRLP partner agencies. How do I register? You should go to the UKRLP website, http://www.ukrlp.co.uk/ukrlp/ukrlp.first?x=, select the Register button in the upper left hand of the page and follow the instructions.

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