Offender Learning
JISC Regional Support Centres Offender Learning RSC Positioning Statement 2008 - 10
Each English RSC region is to offer support for the Offender Learning (OL) sector delivered by LSC contracted FE and ACL providers only, through its existing channels. This statement is a common RSC support response from all the English RSCs, however it is noted that RSC Wales also supports Offender learning in agreement within the parameters of its funding council requirements.
There are currently 19 FE providers supporting 123 prisons, spread across 6 from 9 RSC English regions, in addition to Stockton ACL. Other LSC contracts for OL, for example with private providers and those awarded to the WBL sector are outside the agreed RSC remit. There are also other OL services such as the probation services, secure units etc that are not part of the RSC remit. It is noted that contracts are due for retendering in 2009.
RSCs will:
- source relevant key contacts within each of the LSC funded contract holders, for most, this will be an additional contact (e.g. Director of Offender Learning in a college)
- welcome the key contacts into existing RSC provider visit and support arrangements
provide access to existing planned RSC regional activity (e.g. events, forums, community activities etc.)
- provide access to the general communications and information channels (e.g. monthly e-bulletin, newsletter, appropriate regional mailing lists etc.).
- broker support for the OL community through NIACE and other partners in accordance with the national E-learning framework for OL (e.g. E- guides training, creation of e-strategies)
- liaise with NIACE and other partners to ensure that support for providers is coordinated nationally, through existing review meetings and communication channels
- collaborate with each other. Where the FE provider holds contracts in prisons in another RSC region, the lead responsibility will be taken by the RSC whose provider holds the contract.
JISC RSC YH currently has no FE/ACL OL provider contracts.
