Foyer Update is a monthly feature contributed by the Foyer Federation and written by Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy & Communications. The views expressed are those of the author. Email: sophie@foyer.net
Learning in Foyers
By Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy &
Communications
"Overall I have really enjoyed creating my portfolio for my LSC. I have looked at a lot of areas of my life that I would not necessarily have approached. I have learnt a huge amount from doing it. I will take everything I have done and try to put it in my day-to-day life. I am proudest that I achieved a place at Matthew Boulton College to do a computer maintenance course, which I am really looking forward too."
Learning is integral to the holistic approach that underpins the Foyer ethos. This means that Foyers offer a wide range of services to the young people they work with, which should, as a minimum, offer good quality, and affordable accommodation integrated with opportunities for learning and personal development.
In reality, however, many Foyers have struggled over the years to draw in sustainable funding to support learning activities. Until 2001, much of the funding for learning and training was locally based, often opportunistic, and usually short term.
In 2001, the Foyer Federation approached the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) with a proposal for a national Life skills programme that could be delivered throughout the Foyer network. Since then, the Foyer Federation has worked closely with the LSC to develop a City & Guilds accredited programme that Foyers have enthusiastically embraced, with around 60 Foyers and around 3000 young learners taking part in the programme so far.
The Life skills programme was funded nationally by the LSC as a pilot for 3 years between 2001 and 2004. Learners develop a Profile of Achievement (POA), which is accredited by City & Guilds. In August 2004, the programme shifted from being a nationally funded pilot to being part of the LSC's 'mainstream' provision. This meant that Foyers were able to access funding from local LSCs rather than relying on national pilot funding, which was precarious and could have been cut at any time.
Unfortunately, this shift coincided with a reduction in budgets at the local level, which led to a squeeze on programmes that fall into what the LSC defines as 'other provision' - which covers programmes that deliver qualifications that are not on the National Qualification Framework (NQF). This has meant that some Foyers and their partner colleges have, over recent months, found local LSCs reluctant to fund learners on the POA programme. Indeed, in some cases, colleges have ceased enrolling learners.
The Foyer Federation was aware that LSC funding would be increasingly directed at programmes leading to qualifications on the NQF and has been working with the national LSC, City and Guilds, and with a number of other organisations working with homeless people for almost two years to develop a new programme that can be delivered to both clients and staff working in the wider homelessness sector. This programme, which has been funded nationally by the LSC as the Homeless Sector Pilot (HSP), is now close to being accepted onto the National Qualifications Framework.
The Foyer Federation, however, has become increasingly concerned over recent months at the impact of the financial difficulties outlined above, about the disruption to learners, and, in some cases, the serious financial problems they are causing to Foyers. It is, therefore, drawing on the recent experience Foyers have had with the Profile of Achievement to lobby for a better deal for the young people Foyers work with. This lobbying activity aims to recognise both the need for properly funded mainstream learning programmes and for resources to support the kind of additional, often informal, learning that Foyers need to provide in order to enable the young people they work with access to mainstream provisions.
The Foyer Federation has produced a short film which follows the progression and achievements of Foyer residents and highlights the specific funding issues. This film is being screened in Foyers across the country during the summer. The aim is to engage MPs and other stakeholders in campaigning to retain the services that help young people achieve their goals. In the words of one resident:
"The life skills course was a great experience; I am now thriving not surviving."
If you would like a copy of the Learning in Foyers film (available on DVD) or further information about the funding issues Foyers face, please telephone Sophie Livingstone on 020 7430 2212 or email her at Sophie@foyer.net.