LEARNING AND SKILLS Probation

PROVISION FOR OFFENDERS IN

THE COMMUNITY: Circular
OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE REFERENCE NO:
12/2004
PURPOSE
To provide areas with written operational guidance for delivering learning and ISSUE DATE:
skills provision for offenders in the community in 2004/05. 12 February 2004

ACTION IMPLEMENTATION DATE:

From 1 April 2004 areas are to implement the revised arrangements for 1 April 2004
delivering skills provision to offenders in the community. A copy of the new
operational guidance is attached at Appendix A. Areas are advised to EXPIRY DATE:
develop systems and procedures in order to be ready to implement the new 1 April 2009
arrangements from 1 April 2004.
TO:
SUMMARY Chairs of Probation Boards
Local responsibility for learning and skills provision for offenders in the
Chief Officers of Probation
community is to transfer from the Home Office to the DfES from April 2004.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will assume responsibility for the Secretaries of Probation Boards
planning and funding of education (Skills for Life) for offenders in the Regional Managers
community in England. Different arrangements will be made in Wales. Regional What Works Managers
RELEVANT PREVIOUS PROBATION CIRCULARS
CC:
PC11/2004 – Basic Skills Monitoring
Board Treasurers
CONTACT FOR ENQUIRIES
Queries and/or advice on the attached guidance can be obtained by AUTHORISED BY:
telephone or email from: Martin Copsey, Head of
Community Reintegration
Laura Fairweather – 020 7217 0680/1 or
laura.fairweather@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
ATTACHED:
Roger Stevens – 020 7217 8283 or Appendix A: Operational Guidance
roger.stevens@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

National Probation Directorate

Horseferry House, Dean Ryle Street, London, SW1P 2AW General Enquiries: 020 7217 0659 Fax: 020 7217 0660

Enforcement, rehabilitation and public protection

Background

1. The Social Exclusion Unit’s (SEU) report on Reducing Re-offending in 2002 highlighted the role of education and
training as a means of providing offenders with alternatives to crime. As part of a strategy to improve the quality and
quantity of education and training available to offenders, Ministers have sought to encourage a closer working relationship
between the NPS, OLSU and the LSC, at local and national level.

Consideration

2. The operational guidance reflects the work of the joint DfES/NPD/LSC Project Board established by the DfES in July
2003 to ensure a smooth transition of policy responsibility from the Home Office to the DfES. In addition to the attached
operational guidance further information and guidance will be provided at 6 regional briefing events, which are to be held
on/at:

23 February - Taunton
25 February - Nottingham
27 February - London
2 March - Wales
4 March - Manchester
5 March - York

Local NPS and LSC areas have been invited to attend one of these events and have been asked to nominate 3 staff who
are involved in the management and/or delivery of basic skills to attend.

Action

3. The operational guidance sets out arrangements for 2004–05, designated as a transition year, and anticipates the
arrangements required for 2005–06 and beyond. It sets out the policy, funding and planning arrangements for staff in
local National Probation Service (NPS) areas and Learning and Skills Council (LSC) staff in local and national offices.
NPS and Local Learning and Skills Councils should adhere to the principles set out in this guidance so that:

• there is national consistency in the approach taken to partnership working

• minimum disruption is experienced by learners

• opportunities for offenders in the community to access educational provision are maximised.

4. Local NPS and LSC areas will be jointly responsible for the planning and delivery of current basic skills provision and
for appropriate local expansion and development of that provision. Areas are therefore advised to develop systems and
procedures in order to be ready to implement the new arrangements from 1 April.

PC 12/2004 – Learning and Skills provision for offenders in the community: Operational Guidance
 Appendix A

LEARNING AND SKILLS PROVISION FOR OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY

OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

Introduction

1 This operational guidance sets out policy, funding and planning

arrangements for Learning and Skills Council (LSC) staff in local and national
offices and for staff in local National Probation Service (NPS) areas. The guidance
relates to the transfer of policy responsibility from April 2004 of learning and skills
provision for offenders in the community, in England, from the Home Office to the
Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

2 The guidance reflects the work of the joint DfES/NPD/LSC Project Board
established by the DfES in July 2003 to ensure a smooth transition of policy
responsibility from the Home Office to the DfES. In addition to this guidance
further information will be provided at regional briefing events to be held in
February/March 2004.

3 For further general information on the contents of this guidance, please

email Lynn Macqueen or Sue O’Hara at the LSC National Office and/or Roger
Stevens or Marcus Smart at the National Probation Directorate (NPD).

Rationale for Transfer

4 The driving force behind the transfer of responsibility is the anticipated

benefits to the learner/offender. Partnership between the NPS and LSC will bring
together the joint expertise of both organisations and will enable the creation of a
greater range of educational opportunities for offenders in the community, including
many delivered in mainstream settings. Exposure to such opportunities will, it is
hoped, encourage offenders to explore further educational provision as well as
vocational programmes.

5 The partnership will also allow for planned progression and, as far as can be
arranged, seamless transfer from education delivered under supervision, to
mainstream learning and training activities. The new relationship will assist both
organisations to tackle the bureaucratic and administrative hurdles that can
become barriers to learning for offenders.

6 The experience of success as a learner can provide for an offender the

motivation necessary to turn from a life dominated by crime. Having begun the
process of education in custody or under supervision, offenders can now be
assured that mainstream opportunities will be made available to meet their needs
in the wider community.

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Background

7 The Social Exclusion Unit’s (SEU) report on Reducing Re-offending (2002)

highlighted the role of education and training as a means of providing offenders
with alternatives to crime. As part of a strategy to improve the quality and quantity
of education and training available to offenders, Ministers have sought to
encourage a closer working relationship between the NPS and the LSC, at local
and national level.

8 As a result of the changes proposed, from April 2004 the LSC will take on
responsibility for the planning and funding of education for offenders in the
community in England1. Different arrangements will be made in Wales, as the
remit of the DfES and LSC does not extend there. Further information on NPS
areas in Wales can be obtained by contacting Roger Stevens or Marcus Smart at
the NPD.

9 This guidance sets out arrangements for 2004–05, designated as a

transition year, and anticipates the arrangements required for 2005–06 and
beyond.

10 Local LSCs and local NPS areas should adhere to the principles set out in
this guidance so that:

• there is national consistency in the approach taken to partnership

working

• minimum disruption is experienced by learners

• opportunities for offenders in the community to access wider

educational provision are maximised.

11 The arrangements outlined in this guidance draw on the following sources:

• NPS: Audit of Probation Area Arrangements for Basic Skills 2001–02

• NPS: Performance Report 8 2002-03

• Joint Protocol between NPS and LSC 2003

• Survey carried out by the Learning and Skills Development Agency

(LSDA) in July 2003 of NPS basic skills delivery.

12 All the above documents have been circulated to local LSCs and NPS
areas. Executive Directors have been updated on the progress of the project
through regular reports to the Skills and Adult Programme Board and Adult
Learning Committee. Chief Officers have received communications from the NPD.

13 In addition, local LSCs and NPS areas should note that the Adult Learning
Inspectorate (ALI) has been commissioned to carry out a review of NPS education

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Offenders in the community are those on statutory supervision to the Probation Service, including
all community sentences and those released on licence from prison.

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provision. Local LSCs and Probation areas will want to see the review and make
sure that their Partnership Plans are consistent with the key points identified by
ALI. The review is expected to be published by the end of February 2004.

14 Local LSC and NPS areas will be jointly responsible for the planning and
delivery of current basic skills provision and for appropriate local expansion and
development of that provision. Local LSC Executive Directors will be accountable
for the funds allocated to them for offender related work.

15 The LSC nationally will continue to work with local LSCs in developing a
national approach to work with offenders. The NPD will continue in its current role
in relation to local NPS areas.

16 This guidance is set out in 5 parts:

• Policy context

• Funding, targets and data collection

• Planning guidance

• Contracting and procurement information

• Quality

with two annexes:

• Annex A provides essential data on funding and targets

• Annex B sets out a template for Partnership Plans.

Part 1 - Policy Context

17 The vision behind the transfer of funding and the development of the
partnership between the LSC and the NPS is:

…that offenders according to need should have access to education and training in
the community which enables them to gain the skills and qualifications they need
to hold down a job, play a positive role in society and provide them with an
alternative to crime
(Offenders’ Learning and Skills Unit (OLSU) delivery plan 2003)

18 The aims of the partnership between the two organisations should be to:

• increase demand for learning by offenders and improve levels of

basic literacy and numeracy

• develop, enhance and improve provision for offenders

• improve retention and achievement by those who begin courses

while under supervision

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 • create stronger links and transition arrangements with mainstream
providers

• develop greater understanding on the part of providers of the needs

of offenders in the community

• improve quality

• pilot activities in order to develop future policy.

19 The key tasks for the LSC and the NPD both nationally and locally will be to:

• develop an understanding of each other’s work

• create protocols for joint working, strategically and operationally

• deliver quality provision which meets agreed targets

• monitor progress

• maximise the benefits of the partnership in preparation for the

introduction of new sentencing arrangements.

Enhanced Community Punishment Orders

20 It is important for local LSCs to note that in October 2003, the Home Office
launched the Enhanced Community Punishment Order (ECP). These ECP orders
combine elements of punishment, reparation and rehabilitation with skills
accreditation. ECP is a development of the existing sentence of Community
Punishment and is designed to maximise the opportunities for learning. The
rehabilitation element is likely to include education and training, and local NPS
areas will want to discuss with local LSCs the possibility of funding of Guided Skills
Learning (GSL) within ECP orders.

21 Guided skills learning forms part of ECP orders and is targeted at offenders
with poor employment related skills. In order for an offender to qualify it needs to
be evident that a poor record of stable employment is a contributing factor in their
offending. The level of learning must be above the level of skill already obtained
by the offender and the offender must be motivated and agree to undertake the
learning.

22 Guidance on the funding of such provision is to be found in the LSC’s

Funding Guidance for Further Education in 2003/04, paragraphs 219–225.

23 In addition, the Criminal Justice Act contains proposals for new sentences
that will be served partly in the community and partly in custody. While in the
community, offenders are likely to be eligible for LSC funded provision.

24 The whole area of work with offenders in the community is one that local
LSCs will need to consider as part of the roll out of Strategic Area Reviews (StARs)
within their local areas.

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Part 2 – Funding, Targets and Data Collection
Funding

25 For 2004–05, the Project Board has agreed that £7.3 million (£7.9m for
England & Wales) will transfer from the Home Office to the DfES for allocation
through NPD. This will be for screening, referral and infrastructure costs. It will
also include some delivery of learning programmes by contracts which continue
beyond April 2004, as part of a transitional funding arrangement. These funds will
be allocated to NPS areas through the NPD baseline and are to be ring fenced by
NPS areas for this purpose.

26 An additional £9.4 million (£10m for England and Wales) will be allocated to
the LSC for distribution to local LSCs.

27 For 2005–06, funding will be shaped by:

• the current ALI review (due February 2004)

• joint assessment of NPD baseline funding requirements, undertaken

by OLSU, LSC and NPD. The assessment will be based on collated
and analysed data and information on NPS areas’ responsibilities for
screening and referral, and on local LSC responsibilities for
assessment and learning programmes. This process will take place
during the summer of 2004 and the results will inform the allocations
for 2005-06. NPD will also develop a resource allocation
methodology for local area basic skills infrastructure costs.

National Targets

28 Joint targets for starts and qualifications have been agreed at national level
by the NPS and the LSC. It is recognised that these targets are challenging, but
the figures for this year are not negotiable.

29 For 2004–05, these targets are:

• 32,000 starts2

• 8,000 qualifications (at any level).

30 LSC targets for this provision are set in the context of their contribution
towards the basic skills Public Service Agreement (PSA) target.

Local Targets

31 The NPD have allocated starts and qualifications targets to each NPS area,
based on their national funding and allocation formula.
2
An NPS Start is defined as ONE of the following:
• where an individual learning plan has been developed and agreed with the learner
• where a learner has attended a ‘taster’ basic skills course
• where a learner is still in basic skills provision after 2 sessions although the
individual learning plan has not been completed.

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32 Local LSCs should discuss and agree with their local NPS areas, the
number of qualifications which will contribute towards their overall basic skills PSA
achievement target.

33 Local indicative targets which have been distributed to local NPS areas are
set out on the attached spreadsheet (annex A). It must be noted that this
distribution is not based on actual performance. These targets are acknowledged
to be challenging, particularly in those areas where NPS performance has been
disappointing in terms of delivering qualifications to date.

34 A key aspect of the Partnership Planning process will be to identify

weaknesses in achieving existing targets, and to develop strategies to improve that
situation.

35 Where these local indicative targets cover areas that are not consistent with
the local LSC area, lead LSC arrangements have been proposed and these are
included in the spreadsheet. Final confirmation on a few lead LSCs are still
awaited.

36 Responsibility for the achievement of targets is shared between the LSC

and the NPS.

Data Collection

37 The LSC and the NPD will in this transition year, each be required to report
on progress made. The two organisations have had discussions to ensure that the
data requests made of local LSCs and NPS areas are kept to a minimum

38 NPS areas will continue to submit a monthly return, details of which will be
issued shortly by NPD. The information from the NPS basic skills monthly return
will be used to populate the NPS delivery plan report to Ministers and the
Commissioner, the NPS performance report and will subsequently be used to
calculate the NPS performance link. The LSC National Office is satisfied that the
information on this monthly return will also meet its reporting requirements.

39 The LSC would normally only request a quarterly return, but for simplicity, it
has been agreed that the monthly return is copied to the lead LSC at the same
time as it is sent to the NPD. The monthly data will assist local LSCs to
understand progress being made towards targets and will feature in on-going
discussions with the local NPS area. The NPD will provide the LSC National Office
will a national overview of the data returns.

40 Local LSCs are asked to use the information contained in the monthly
returns to create a quarterly return which is sent to Gary Broom at the LSC
National Office. The LSC reporting timetable is as set out below:

Reporting Periods Return Dates from NPS Local Returns to NLSC

April to June Mid July End July
July to September Mid October End October
October to December Mid January End January
January to March Mid April End April

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41 Colleagues should be conscious of the possibility of “double funding” where
mainstream providers are already delivering provision for offenders in the
community under contract to the local Probation Service. During discussions to
develop the Partnership Plan, colleagues should identify the full range of funding
streams for offenders in the community. Local LSCs should advise providers that
they may not draw down mainstream funding for learners whose provision is
covered by a separate contract with the NPS or LSC.

42 In order to eliminate duplication and minimise the reporting burden, the ILR
will not be used to collect individual learner/qualification aim data for this particular
budget only. Please note that this does not affect situations where ILR is
ALREADY used, such as ESF funded provision.

43 The use of ILR will be considered for provision from 2005–06 onwards.

44 The NPD is required to continue to report on the performance of local NPS

areas, including their activities in screening and referring learners for provision.
Details of quarterly milestones and projected achievements against targets are
required to assist NPD in its reporting function

45 In addition, the NPD is planning to develop a new quarterly return from NPS
areas, which will mainly provide additional data including information related to
equality and diversity. Details and guidance for these returns will shortly be issued
by the NPD in a Probation Circular (PC).

46 For further information on data collection, contact Gary Broom at LSC

National Office and/or Ed Stradling at the NPD.

Part 3 – Planning Guidance

47 A key aspect of local delivery arrangements will be the development of a
joint Partnership Plan for the education and training of offenders in the community,
which builds on the expertise of the NPS area with this client group, and the full
scope of the LSC’s planning and funding powers.

48 There should be in each area:

• a strategic link between Chief Officers and LSC Executive Directors

• an operational link between designated officers responsible for this

work in local LSCs and local NPS areas.

49 The delivery of effective education for offenders in the community will be

best achieved by the pooling of the expertise of the NPS and the LSC. Without the
development of shared planning arrangements, the challenging achievement
targets will prove difficult to meet.

50 The NPS already has a regional structure in place that includes an NPD
Regional Manager (RM) and an NPD Regional What Works Manager (RWWM).
Both RMs and RWWMs are involved in the performance management of NPS
areas and in supporting the achievement of all NPS targets, including the basic
skills targets. Many regions already have a regional NPS forum looking at
education and training for offenders and /or basic skills.

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51 Local LSCs also have networks which focus on the delivery of basic skills
and the achievement of targets. It would be helpful to consider how these
networks can be combined or rationalised in the future. The recent introduction of
Regional Directors in the LSC will undoubtedly need to be reflected in the future
network arrangements with the NPS.

52 The current national protocol agreed between the NPD and LSC (on Basic
Skills) serves as a useful starting point for outlining the relationship between the
two organisations.

53 Local LSCs and NPS areas are free to determine the nature and content of
their own Partnership Plan, but to assist national consistency in the planning
process, a template for the Partnership Plan is set out as annex B to this
guidance.

54 The plans should be agreed and signed off by local LSCs and local NPS
areas by end March 2004.

55 A copy of the agreed plan should be forwarded to Lynn Macqueen at the

LSC National Office in Coventry, and to Laura Fairweather at the NPD to enable
both the NPD and the LSC to form an overview of emerging provision.

56 The basis of the plan will be a full exchange of information, a close

examination of the tasks with which the area is faced in terms of targets, the
setting and agreement of target milestones and commitment from both
organisations to achieve the tasks. The LSC will need to be made aware of the
current position, including strengths and weaknesses, so that realistic planning can
take place.

57 Partnership Plans should focus upon the delivery arrangements for 2004 -
05. During this transitional year, the LSC in consultation with NPD and OLSU will
work to identify the longer term planning and funding arrangements for this activity.

58 For further information on planning, contact Keith Smith at LSC National

Office or Laura Fairweather at NPS.

Part 4 - Contractual Arrangements/Procurement Funding/

Agreements

Contracting Guidance 2004-05

59 This section of the guidance has been produced to assist local LSCs in the
contracting arrangements for Learning and Skills Provision for Offenders in the
Community. It provides a summary of the key points and considerations to ensure
that adequate contractual arrangements are in place for 1 April 2004, covering the
period from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.

60 As set out in this local operational/planning guidance, 2004-05 is the first

year from which the LSC will take responsibility for the planning and funding of
provision for Offenders in the community. Within the national policy framework for
the delivery of this programme, local LSCs have been provided with as much
flexibility as possible to allow for provision to be planned, delivered and funded in a

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manner that meets local needs. This recognises that during the first year of the
new arrangements, there may well be substantial differences to the current local
infrastructure in terms of provider networks, delivery models and success rates.
There may also be a variable level of transitional or ‘carry over’ activity that local
LSCs will need to consider when agreeing plans, targets and funding levels.

61 Activity occurring within the first year will be set out in a local ‘Partnership
Plan’ (a copy of the template for the ‘Partnership Plan’ is included within this
operational guidance at annex B). The plan will act as a strategic document which
sets out the main planning, operational and delivery issues for the period to 31
March 2005. To simplify the contracting process this plan can also be used as the
basis of the specification that forms one of the schedules to the contract. Local
LSCs should note that where contracting arrangements are being put in place
direct with other providers a plan or similar specification must be agreed that sets
out the activity to be delivered and funded. For some providers this may be an
extension of ‘Skills for Life’ delivery plans. Where these plans or something similar
do not exist at the provider level, a service specification must be agreed in line with
the Councils guidance on procurement.

Contracts

62 The approach to the management of contracts under this programme has

been developed on the basis of existing principals of procuring educational
provision/services. In all cases these principals should be followed unless stated
differently in this guidance.

63 To assist local Councils with the management of contractual documents a

list of agreed templates have been produced (these will be provided in the near
future). These have been approved for use by the National Office and are based
upon the existing templates currently in operation and are consistent with the
single funding agreement principals adopted by the LSC.

64 The table below indicates which of the model contracts should be developed
based on the potential different contract arrangements. In some local areas a
mixture of these models may be needed where a number of Providers are
contracted with directly.

Consideration
Contract will be direct with the
local NPS area
Contract direct with existing
Providers (inc colleges, local
authorities etc)
Contract direct with new
private Provider
Action
Complete and issue ‘Conditions of Funding –
Grant’ and ‘ Probation Service Conditions of
Funding General Schedule’
Depending on provider, for Colleges issue
‘Financial memorandum Part 2 – Gen PS
Schedule X); Local Authorities issue ‘ Probation
Service Conditions of Funding General Schedule’;
private Providers issue ‘Contract for Services Gen
PS Schedule 1x and 2x.
Issue ‘Contract for Services – Education and
Training – General Terms and Conditions’,
Schedules 1,2 and 3, and ‘Contract for Services
Gen PS Schedule 1x and 2x.

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New Providers

65 Due to the nature of existing arrangements, it is envisaged that there will be

a number of different structures and contracting arrangements employed during
the transition year. In some areas there will be a commitment to continue to
support existing providers that may in the past have been contracted through the
local NPS, whilst in others new or existing LSC providers may be used.

66 All providers that wish to receive LSC funding must meet the minimum
financial and quality requirements of the Council. All new providers must meet the
standards as set out in the new provider approval process. The Council is mindful
however that during the first year there may be a number of existing NPS
contracted providers who are currently not LSC approved providers but whose
services are needed during the transitional year. In these cases we will
exceptionally give these providers a one year special grace period in order to allow
them to meet the normal contracting and inspection standards. Local Councils may
however want to be more cautious about the activity undertaken by these providers
and manage any risks accordingly.

Funding and Payment Arrangements

67 Funding and payment arrangements are to be determined locally mirroring

the principals of LID funding. Clauses may need to be removed from standard
LSC contracting documentation depending on the payment method selected, such
as profiled payments, monthly invoicing etc. Consideration must be given to the
funding of any provision delivered by providers currently in receipt of other Council
funding. In many cases existing providers may want to utilise participation funding
(e.g. Further Education) to supplement or enhance the provision or support
provided under this initiative. In such cases, local Councils must be mindful of any
double funding issues by being clear about the provision or support being funded
under each of the funding streams.

68 Payments should be requested using the local office payment template

(currently called "LOCALPROGPAY V1-6"). The sub-nominal code to be used will
be notified to you and should be entered directly or selected from the drop down
list as for other payment requests.

69 Payments will be made using ordinary supplier codes (those beginning with
S). These may or may not already be in existence and where a new code needs to
be set up a standing data form, requesting a new supplier to be created, must be
completed and returned to finance. Finance will then supply details of the supplier
code, which must be entered into the template. The completed template must be
approved in writing and a copy of the signed approval sent to finance authorising
the upload of the template to CODA. More detailed guidance on the operation and
use of local payment templates can be found in the document ‘LOCALPROGPAY
instv1.4’.

Management Information

70 Management information requirements have been agreed nationally and the

collection template must be incorporated into the contractual documentation issued
and referenced appropriately. Local LSCs will send quarterly returns to the

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National Office, based on monthly data supplied by NPS.

Evidence Requirements

71 Evidence requirements must be agreed and attached as a schedule to the

contract. The nature of any such evidence will depend upon the services being
provided or contracted for, but could include details and outcomes of initial
assessments, learning plans, progress review records, details of any additional
support required/provided, award accreditation/verification etc.

Targets

72 Targets must be clearly set out including the numbers of starts and
Achievements (particularly those contributing to the PSA Target). This will be
needed at provider level where direct contracts are being agreed.

Audit

73 Audit arrangements are expected to follow those currently in operation for

LID funding.

74 For further information on LSC contracting, procurement and funding

contact Keith Smith at the LSC National Office.

Further Clarification

75 The following points should be noted:

• 2004–05 is a transition year, which means that arrangements put in
place for that year are not necessarily permanent

• the purpose of the partnership between local LSCs and their local
NPS areas is to improve the quality and quantity of education for
offenders in the community. Specifically the purpose of the funds is
to deliver the basic skills target, based on meeting the needs of
learners who are also offenders. Appropriate provision for this group
of learners may take many forms and is likely to include provision
such as embedded basic skills and engagement activities. The funds
may also be used to fund ‘guided skills learning’ within ECP orders

• the method of allocating the £9.4 million (£10m for England and
Wales) has been to use data from NPS areas and allocate in the
same proportions as used for the £7.3 million (£7.9m for England and
Wales). These funds are to be used by local LSCs, (following
discussions with local NPS areas) to develop new and different
provision, to improve quality of provision and to develop the capacity
of providers to deliver to this group of learners

• LSC staff will need to take account in agreeing delivery arrangements

of the particular needs of this client group e.g. levels of risk posed.
Arrangements for 1:1 provision on probation premises may have to
be considered for some learners

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 • Offenders do not form a homogeneous group of learners.
Arrangements for delivery should take account of the needs of male
and female offenders, people from all ethnic backgrounds, and those
with disabilities

• £7.3 million (£7.9 million for England and Wales) baseline funding
allocated to NPS areas will be used for screening and/or
assessment, referral services, and for carrying forward any existing
contracts with a termination date beyond April 04 and for
infrastructure costs.

NPD Allocations

76 In December 2003 the NPD issued the NPS Budget Pack 2004/05 to NPS
areas with details of the ring fenced basic skills baseline allocation to areas.

77 The NPD will produce detailed accounting guidance for local NPS areas in
respect of allocations for 2004-05.

Part 5 - Quality
78 Provision delivered by existing LSC funded providers will be eligible for ALI
inspection (using the Common Inspection Framework) and Provider Performance
Review. This will ensure that the quality of education and training, and standards
achieved by learners fulfils LSC requirements. Providers will also need to
demonstrate the quality of management, leadership and curriculum training areas
as well as quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Regional Events

79 There will be a number of events held in February/March 2004 to which

local LSC and NPS areas will be invited. The purpose of these events will be to
enable detailed discussions on the arrangements for the transition year to take
place. Details of these events are as follows:

23 February – Taunton
25 February – Nottingham
27 February – London
4 March – Manchester
5 March – York

80 NPD has also organised a similar event for NPS areas in Wales on 2 March
in Bulith Wells.

81 An invitation letter has already been sent to NPS Chief Officers and LSC
Executive Directors requesting nominations of appropriate representatives at the
events. NPS and partner LSC areas should attend the same event to enable them
to begin, or continue their joint planning

82 Throughout the transition year 2004–05, there will be opportunities to

provide feedback about emerging issues and problems, so that a consistent
national framework can be developed for 2005-06 and beyond.

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 Annex A
LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL
Indicative Funding for National Probation Service Basic Skills - VERSION 3 28/01/04
England 2004-05
* LEAD ARRANGEMENTS SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION *

qualifications

PSA Target

Baseline funding
direct to NPS

Additional
funding to lead
LLSC
Target starts

Assumed
contribution to

areas
Target
Other LLSC(s) involved
NPS Area Proposed lead LLSC ("feed" LLSCs)
£000 £000
Avon & Somerset West of England* Somerset 789 197 118 188.00 246.69
Bedfordshire Bedfordshire & Luton 302 75 45 76.00 94.27
Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire 344 86 52 85.00 107.64
Cheshire Cheshire & Warrington* Greater Merseyside 554 138 83 141.00 173.12
Cumbria Cumbria 287 72 43 74.00 89.61
Derbyshire Derbyshire 548 137 82 128.00 171.15
Devon & Cornwall Devon & Cornwall 784 196 118 195.00 244.85
Dorset Dorset 320 80 48 79.00 100.06
County Durham Tees Valley County Durham 438 110 66 105.00 136.88
Essex Essex 757 189 113 187.00 236.42
Gloucestershire Gloucestershire 273 68 41 70.00 85.29
Hampshire Hampshire & IoW 902 225 135 221.00 281.77
Hertfordshire Hertfordshire 398 99 60 109.00 124.32
Humberside Humberside 622 156 93 149.00 194.47
Kent Kent & Medway 818 205 123 214.00 255.71
Lancashire Lancashire 965 241 145 225.00 301.61
Leicestershire & Rutland Leicestershire* Lincolnshire & Rutland 547 137 82 131.00 170.89
Lincolnshire Lincolnshire & Rutland 329 82 49 86.00 102.94
Norfolk Norfolk 414 104 62 99.00 129.52
Northamptonshire Northamptonshire 331 83 50 83.00 103.44
North Yorkshire North Yorkshire 341 85 51 92.00 106.65
Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire 724 181 109 169.00 226.38
Staffordshire Staffordshire 604 151 91 135.00 188.89
Suffolk Suffolk 307 77 46 84.00 95.82
Surrey Surrey 341 85 51 95.00 106.71
Sussex Sussex 655 164 98 164.00 204.74
Teesside Tees Valley 501 125 75 117.00 156.57
Thames Valley Milton Keynes, Oxon & Bucks* Berkshire 921 230 138 240.00 287.83
Warwickshire Coventry & Warwickshire 233 58 35 59.00 72.71
Herefordshire &
West Mercia Worcestershire* Shropshire 570 142 85 140.00 178.10
Wiltshire Wiltshire & Swindon 283 71 43 74.00 88.56
Greater Manchester Greater Manchester 2017 504 303 444.00 630.35
Merseyside Greater Merseyside 1193 298 179 269.00 372.87
Northumbria Tyne & Wear* Northumberland 1096 274 164 268.00 342.39
South Yorkshire South Yorkshire 998 250 150 225.00 311.90
West Midlands Black Country Birmingham & Solihull 2079 520 312 473.00 649.55
West Yorkshire West Yorkshire 1602 401 240 362.00 500.64
North London, South London,
London East London* West London, Central London 4834 1209 725 1312.00 1510.66

England Total 30022 7506 4503 7367.00 9381.97

qualifications

funding
Baseline funding
direct to NPS

Additional
Target starts

areas
Target

WALES 2004-05

£000

13
Dyfed-Powys N/A N/A 271 68N/A 79.00 84.78
Gwent N/A N/A 421 105N/A 108.00 131.69
North Wales N/A N/A 392 98N/A 109.00 122.52
South Wales N/A N/A 893 223N/A 237.00 279.04

Wales totals 1978 494 533 618

England & Wales Totals 32000 8000 7900 10000

14
Points in clarification of Annex A

Local Information on Funding and Targets

The guidance in this section relates to the spreadsheet attached as annex A. The
spreadsheet provides an indicative allocation to local NPS areas in relation to the
£7.3 million and to local LSCs in relation to £9.4 million

The following points will be helpful to colleagues in understanding the context of

the information provided.

Unlike the DfES/LSC, the Home Office/NPD responsibilities include Wales.

Additionally, NPS and LSC areas do not match in all cases. Where an NPS area is
covered by more than one LSC area, or vice versa, the spreadsheet identifies this
and proposes a LEAD LSC arrangement. This is designed to ensure clarity about
local links.

In terms of the spreadsheet contained at annex A:

• Column 1 details the local NPS areas

• Column 2 details the LSC’s proposed lead local LSC. These have
been proposed based upon NPD advice.
• Column 3 details those local other LSCs whose area is covered, in
whole or in part, by the local NPS area
• Columns 4 and 5 detail the Starts and Qualifications targets
• Column 6 demonstrates the contribution of these achievements
towards the LSC’s PSA target for basic skills
• Column 7 details the baseline funding to each local NPS area made
by the NPS
• Column 8 contains details of the level of funding to be transferred
from the LSC to the designated lead local LSC

N.B. Local NPS areas will be able to provide lead local LSCs with an indicative
breakdown of volumes by local LSC area to aid planning.

It will be important that where more than one LSC is involved in an area, there
is a link between the lead and other LSC(s). The link might include the
following activities:

• staff from both LSCs to be involved in discussing the proposed

learning arrangements
• discussions to ensure that any feature of the non lead LSC is
accounted for (e.g. rurality)
• the need to link with other partners and offender related infrastructure
(e.g. Job Centre Plus)
• sharing of information
• sharing in monitoring.

15
 Annex B

NPS/LSC PARTNERSHIP PLAN

The plan is to be completed jointly by the two organisations. Please note

that a copy should be sent to Lynn Macqueen at the LSC National Office and
to Laura Fairweather at the NPD, by the end of March 2004.

NPS Area:

Total 04-05 allocation:

Joint 04-05 target – starts:

Joint 04-05 target – qualifications:

Identify provision rolling forward into 04 –05

(Contract or partnership arrangements for delivery of assessment and/or
teaching)

Identify provision/contracts ceasing from end 2003- 04

16
Review and evaluate existing provision – what works?

Assessment of the current position in relation to 2003-04 targets – analyse

reasons for missing targets (specifically what has been the main reason for
missing targets)

Plans to meet targets – consider strategies at all stages of the learner’s

involvement.

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Set out the Partnership’s plans for provision in 2004–05

Assessment of the position in relation to supply of and demand for

provision. Are existing providers delivering? Are new providers needed?
How can demand for provision be increased, managed and monitored?

Outline of how planned provision will respond to equality and diversity

issues

18
Identification of any need for capacity building within the organisations and
providers

Review of the data currently available to each organisation and required by

national bodies

Identification of how the partnership will be supported. Who has

responsibility for what? How will contracts be managed?

19
Local LSCs and NPS areas should discuss arrangements for the following:

Initial assessments.
Local NPS areas should provide details on specialist assessment for
dyslexia and other disabilities

Quality assurance arrangements

Probation Service Infrastructure requirements

20
Strategies to increase referrals, retention and achievements

Sharing of data and tracking learners

Protocols between the organisations

21
Detail dates for quarterly reviews of the partnership plan

Milestones to be achieved by quarter including projected target

achievements: (detail significant milestones to be achieved, e.g. projected target
achievements, staff training completed, monthly access to the national tests in
place, etc.)

1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter

Milestones Milestones Milestones Milestones
Starts: Starts: Starts: Starts:
Quals Quals Quals Quals

Signed: …………………………………………………...… (Chief Officer)

Date: ……………………………..

Signed: ……………………………………………………...(Executive Director)

Date: ……………………………….

22