Taking the Lead
Curriculum for Advanced Learners Course 2010
The course is being designed with 6 modules for community activists and local councillors to develop a better understanding of local democracy, the role of councillors and communities working together. The modules for the 2010 intake will be run between October & December 2010. The aim will be to make this an ongoing, self-funding programme after this initial pilot.
Course Objective: To further develop Portsmouth’s Community Leaders to help them work effectively together to make Portsmouth the best city that it can be, in the ever changing world we live in.
This will include furthering their understanding of:
· local democracy
· the third sector
· each other’s roles
· partnership working
· innovative and emerging tools for consultation and communication- how can you best engage with your community?
Types of study
Face-to-face training at The Learning Place- including:
· Whole class discussion
· Case studies
· Practical activities
· Research tasks
· Lectures from experts
E-learning via the Moodle online learning system.
Active learning as part of a site visit.
Research project presented as a portfolio
Reflective practice via social media
Online forum for delegates to use throughout the training (and beyond).
Times/Dates/Venues
Delivery of the course is flexible and will be arranged at times convenient to the cohort. Each module is 5 hours, which may mean 5 day sessions, or 10 evenings as best fits the group. It will take learners about 15 hours work outside the course to develop a portfolio for accreditation purposes. .
The majority of the training will take place at The Learning Place, which is a fully accessible venue. Website: http://learnportsmouth.ac.uk/learningplace/
The last session will be an offsite visit, details of which will be confirmed nearer the time.
Cost: The course is free of charge to learners, as it is being funded by the National Take Part Pathfinders project
Key Learning Objectives
After these sessions learners will be able to:
· Understand the democratic process in Portsmouth.
· Describe local government & third sector funding.
· Explore the responsibilities of the local authority and third sector and how they are balanced with local, regional and national drivers.
· Articulate the role that community organisations play in shaping and developing policy.
· Develop skills to prioritise and define local community issues more effectively.
· Understand the size, scale and scope of the sector.
· Explain the role of umbrella groups and the local CVS
· Develop an understanding of local structures, organisations and issues and how Community Champions can work both with and outside these to engage with others in their communities and develop local solutions.
· Provide a voice for under-represented groups
· Act as advocates for change
· Help create strong, active and connected communities
· Promote enterprising solutions
· Help shape and deliver valued public services
· Express their message and how they want to be perceived in delivering it
· Identify the communication channels that exist and how to pick the appropriate one for their audience
· Utilise appropriate communication channels when campaigning, lobbying and consulting
· Identify the challenges related to asking for feedback
Rationale
This course will further empower learners to feel they can better engage with their local community and make a real difference. It will be interactive and delivered in a variety of ways by a number of engaging and inspirational speakers. The content of the course will be enhanced by the learners themselves, who will come from a variety of different backgrounds and will be able to offer their own expertise.
Admission Criteria
No formal qualifications are required, and entry is flexible to allow applicants with suitable experience and knowledge to take part. However, applicants must have a basic knowledge of democratic processes and ideally already be involved in community activism/committee work in Portsmouth. We will be seeking to recruit candidates from a range of different backgrounds, and so the make-up of the cohort will be balanced to ensure there is not over representation from one particular group or sector.
Some IT skills and knowledge of using the internet is desirable, but further support with these aspects can be provided on request.
Accreditation
The course will be accredited by the NCFE. It will take learners about 15 hours work outside the course to develop a portfolio. The portfolio can be based on existing work that the learner is undertaking, so should be practically based.
Equal Opportunities
Portsmouth City Council is committed to promoting equal opportunities and will do everything practical to help potential learners to succeed on their course. If you would like to discuss your support needs please contact Abbie Eales, Take Part Learning Director on: 023 9268 8508
Progression to further study?
Guidance on progression to further routes of study can be provided by visiting http://www.learnportsmouth.ac.uk/
What next?
If you are interested in applying for this course please complete the expression of interest form as attached.
For more information please contact:
Abbie Eales
Take Part Learning Director
customer, community & democratic services
Portsmouth City Council Civic Offices,
Guildhall Square Portsmouth, PO1 2AL
T: 023 9268 8508
F: 023 9284 1322
