Research approach
Research for the Guidelines has focused on a variety of sources:
Trailblazers
Three large FE colleges from different parts of the country, already renowned for their successful embedding of Skills for Life, were dubbed ‘trailblazers’. They were visited by the project manager who was able to gain extensive information on their thinking and practice.
Sussex providers
A wide network of providers from Sussex has contributed to the project through telephone and email contacts, visits from the project manager and meetings. From these providers are drawn examples of good practice, key insights into the practicalities of delivery based on a breadth of experience, and feedback on the guidelines as programmes have progressed.
Sussex stakeholders
Key personnel from a range of partners and stakeholders have been involved in the project through telephone and email contact and meetings.
Documentation
The project manager has consulted existing written material including:
- Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) documents and circulars;
- The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), the National Literacy Trust and the National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy (NRDC) papers and research material;
- London Strategic Unit and LLU+ publications;
- whole-organisation pathfinders’ reports;
- inspection reports.
Key national exponents of embedding
Advice has been provided by a number of individuals and organisations who are known to be committed to the embedding approach and who benefit from wide experience and influence across the country as a whole.