Issue - meetings

To hear from Pat Duffy – Head of Adult Learning Service on how they are supporting carers to gain learning and skills.

Pat Duffy - Head of Haringey Adult Learning Service

The Adult Learning Service is currently looking at what they can do to support carers in Haringey.  For example the options around distance learning opportunities and breaking up courses into smaller more accessible modules.

The service offers a 50% discount to people who are on benefits and a further 10% for registered carers.

There are some free services available e.g. ESOL.  Currently looking at whether there are options for providing more free services, for example with the personalisation agenda.

Learn Direct courses are available which focus on skills for life.  These provide opportunities for distance learning where the person comes into the centre for the exam.

Identified issues around data capture as there is the feeling that they currently aren’t capturing them.

Discussion around whether there is a different question which could be asked on forms in order to identify carers for example, a questions which allows people that don’t identify themselves as carers to take advantage of opportunities.  This would also need to be clear that they are talking about unpaid carers.

Examples of successful events for carers e.g. pamper days.

Discussion around the possibility of giving carers free access to the internet.

Discussion around whether there is scope for any further training to be rolled out e.g. manual handling.  Noted that there would first need to be a scoping exercise to find out what training is already available to carers across the borough.

Discussion around the need to commit to classes and courses which can be very difficult for carers as they do not necessarily know whether or not they will be able to attend.  Noted that the London Skills Council papers notes the need for flexibility.

Noted that there are not many platforms available for working with partners as it is a competitive market.

Noted that there is an Education and Learning sub-group of the Carers Partnership Board planned which Pat Duffy will attend.