Slide 1- RNIB Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET)

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Slide 1- RNIB Post Compulsory Education and
Training (PCET)
Meeting Needs and Making Effective Use of
Resources The RNIB College Partnership
Programme Kevin Connell RNIB Strategic Advisor
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Slide 2 - The Model

• At least one College Partnership in each LSC
  region
• Hub Specialist Centre
• Joint Visual Impairment Support Service With
  Outreach
• National network of expertise
• RNIB PCET strategy ' Learning to Include
• Raising levels of participation among blind and
  partially sighted learners
• Raising the quality of local provision

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Slide 3 - External Factors

• Extension of the Disability Discrimination Act
• Inclusive learning
• Legal obligation to promote equality
• Develop capacity in the sector
• Funding methodology
• Regionalisation
• Government desire for partnership with the
  voluntary sector

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Slide 4 - RNIB Strategy

• RNIB commitment to contribute to the development
  of the infrastructure necessary to facilitate
  high quality learning by providing
• Training
• Consultancy
• Partnership in direct service delivery
• Full support from both DfES and LSC
• Remaining role for specialist colleges

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Slide 5 - Benefits For Learners

• High quality learning experience locally
• Continuing family and community support
• Consistent, unified case management
• Coherent integrated health/care provision
• Access to a wider curriculum
• Transport issue?

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Slide 6 - benefits for Staff and Providers

• Direct staff support from qualified specialists
• Set and meet high service standards
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement
• Meet statutary obligations
• Fit with LSC Strategy

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Slide 7 - Business overview

• Low Incidence, High Cost
• Not cost-effective for all providers
• Initial development funding
• Self financing in 3 years
• Recurrent funding through ALS
• Residential, Health/Care costs met locally

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Slide 8 - Staffing

• Specialist joint staff team based in 'Hub' centre
• Key Specialist Tutor/Organiser Role
• Input from RNIB regional team
• Specialist Learning Support Assistants

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Slide 9 - Specialist provision

• Specialist needs assessment
• Support for tutors and learners on mainstream
  programmes
• Specialist teaching
• Access technology, training and technical support
• Adaptation and transcription of materials
• Mobility training?
• Braille, low vision support
• Residential learning environment?
• Extended curriculum, independent living
• Specialist facilities

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Slide 10 - How is the service working in the
North West

• Grade 1 Ofsted inspection report praised the
  RNIB/LCC partnership
• Joint self assessment report grade 1
• Good evaluation by Independent Consultant
• Learner perspective informs development of
  service
• 100 staff and learner satisfaction with quality
  of support

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Slide 11 - Partnership Progress in Other Regions

• North East
• Signed strategic agreement with Regional
  Director of LSC
• Newcastle College and Middlesbrough College
• Joint strategic management group formed
• VI support service co-ordinator appointed
• Dissemination event held at Ramside hall for 70
  delegates

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Slide 12 - Partnership Progress in Other Regions
(cont)

• Yorks Humber
• Park Lane College Leeds
• Strategic management group formed
• VI support service co-ordinator appointed

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Slide 13 - Partnership Progress in Other Regions
(cont.)

• South West
• City of Bristol College
• Joint strategic management group formed
• Seconded VI support service co-ordinator in
  position

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Slide 14 - Partnership Progress in Other Regions
(cont.)
West Midlands

• Planning seminar led by Coventry and Warwickshire
  LSC
• Appointed an LSC consultant to undertake initial
  scoping and modelling exercise

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Slide 15 - Conclusion

• Evidence that partnership works
• Blind and partially sighted learners want this
  support
• END