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…continued from page 3to develop good practice andimprovement through a wholeorganisation approach. Otherswere supported to embed Skillsfor Life learning in vocationalsettings, particularly construction,social care and healthcare, orto improve the experiences oflearners with learning difficultiesor disabilities.The Improvement Programmegrouped providers accordingto their learning context – forexample work-based learning,or offender learning. Althoughin most cases not starting untilJanuary, the group approachproved very successful. Providersof all types and in all learningcontexts valued the expertise ofthe development advisers, theirapplied approach, and their abilityto stimulate learning from theirpeers. Cooperation proved apowerful spur to mutual learning,as for example, Further Educationcolleges joined work-basedlearning cluster groups, learningfrom practice in the independentsector, as well as willingly sharingtheir expertise. Providers onthe whole made good progresstowards meeting their ownimprovement goals, and achievingtheir development plans. In afew cases, however, providersoverstretched themselves, bysigning up for more improvementgroups than they couldadequately resource.Provider staff feedback• 100% benefited from theopportunity to learn from otherproviders• 98% said that workingcollaboratively has motivatedthem and supported them toachieve their defined successcriteria• 98% stated they already haveor would transfer good practicedeveloped by the group to theirown organisations• 98% found that workingcollectively has been aneffective method to improveSkills for Life delivery.Continuing professionaldevelopment (CPD)In 2006/07, the ImprovementProgramme ran a series of onedayprofessional developmentevents across the country,with feedback from the 3,700delegates being very positive.This year we are offeringCPD in-house, arranging CPDaccording to needs identified bydevelopment advisers.Progress in 2007/08Providers are pleased thatsupport from the ImprovementProgramme has arrived earlier thisyear than last, and builds on theachievements of the first year.Measuring the impact of thesupport from the ImprovementProgramme is a key prioritythis year. We are working withspecialist evaluators YorkConsulting to devise a simple buteffective way of doing this. We arelikely to be asking providers if theImprovement Programme has hada positive impact, for exampleon teaching and learning, onmanagement, or on achievementand progression and whetherthese improvements are noted inself-assessment reports.We are keen to hear your viewsregarding the type of support youfeel is needed. We will continueto liaise with leaders of othernational improvement initiativesand will shape the ImprovementProgramme to respond toparticular needs, aligning it withyour plans for development andself-improvement.Engagement of providersby learning settingPrisonsYoung Offender InstitutionsProbationWork Based LearningTrain to GainEntry to EmploymentJobcentre PlusIndependent Specialist CollegesAdult and Community LearningVoluntary and Community LearningFurther EducationLearndirect‘98% (of providers)said that workingcollaboratively hasmotivated them andsupported them toachieve their definedsuccess criteria’4SfL Improvement Programme Update