Outside body

Purpose

The group will undertake a strategic role, act as a critical friend, agree and monitor, evaluate, celebrate and challenge the work of the local authority in its role of ensuring good or outstanding experiences and outcomes for adult and community learners by:

·         Supporting and strengthening the council’s leadership of its adult and community learning provision, contributing to shaping its strategic direction and working with Kirklees Community Learning Trust to secure the long-term sustainability of adult and community learning in the district to meet the needs of the communities of Kirklees.

·         Providing challenge and holding leaders and managers to account for improving the quality of learning and the effectiveness of performance management systems including setting ambitious targets for learners’ outcomes and for the impact of the provision.

·         Monitoring economic outcomes improvements in local wealth building and progression by “meeting the goals and needs of the local economy.”

·         Having an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and ensuring that self-assessment and quality improvement plans are rigorous and effective and take account of the needs of the Kirklees district through scrutiny of the SAR and QIP.   

·         Ensuring the effectiveness of safeguarding practice, including the prevention of radicalisation of learners and compliance with the Prevent duty and providing regular updates on safeguarding/ Prevent and promoting best practice.

·         Providing support and challenge to the Senior Responsible Person in relation to his/her responsibilities for the provision including ensuring rigour in financial management, audit, management of data and sub-contracting arrangements.

·         Advising on the implications of national, regional and local developments to meet changing priorities, particularly with reference to devolution plans and the role of WYCA/ West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Membership

Portfolio Holders

Principal, Adult Learning

Head of Service Employment & Skills

Head of Service - Post 16, Progression Partnerships

Contract Manager, Employment & Skills

Business Support

Independent Chair

Third Sector / Employer Representative on Community Learning Trust who focuses on third sector involvement and is a local employer

Independent Expert Quality and Performance Learning

Progressio/Careers Lead

Additional membership is welcomed from members with relevant skills and experience

Reporting Arrangements

·         Learning and Skills Leadership Team - issues to be accelerated within council accountability & scrutiny structure as appropriate by Senior Responsible Person – (e.g. Leadership Team, Cabinet)

·         Kirklees Community Learning Trust

·         Other Strategic Groups such as appropriate (e.g. Joint Health and Wellbeing Board, Economy and Skills Board, Economic Resilience) 

·         Economy & Infrastructure Portfolio Briefings

Meeting and Time commitment

6 meetings per year, one per half term from 9.30-11(1.5 hours) and reading of associated papers for each meeting prior and following the meeting as necessary= 2 hours per meeting. 

Total time commitment per half term= 3.5 hours x 6 =21 hours per year.