ALI report misguided over Workstep

The third Chief Inspectors report published yesterday (24 November) by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI), has confirmed national charity Shaw Trustsí belief that the framework for learning as inspected by ALI is inappropriate for the Government funded Workstep programme.

The report pays special mention to the ëinadequateí provision for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, naming a key area as Workstep, funded by Jobcentre Plus. In addition, throughout the report it states that improvement was marked, except for Workstep and out of the 18 poor Jobcentre Plus providers, no less than 10 offered this particular programme.

Shaw Trust is committed to delivering sustainable employment for disabled and disadvantaged people across the UK, and currently supports over 4,000 people on Workstep.

Ian Charlesworth, Shaw Trustís Managing Director, welcomes ALIís principle aims in the provision of lifelong learning for all, however feels that as Workstep is an employment programme to help disabled people who need extra support in work, the inspection framework, based on learning, is not wholly appropriate for this client group: ìWhilst we welcome advice from any party to assist the continual improvement of our services, it is disappointing that ALI continues to misunderstand the purpose of the Workstep programme and not test it against contractual requirements. The recent comments of the National Employment Panel bear witness to the need of ALI to review its understanding of the Workstep programme.î

For further information please call Evelyn OíKeefe on 07974 224938.