Learning and Skills Improvement Service: National Learner Panel and 14-19 Learner Panel
Putting the learner voice at the heart of policy
“The panel involves the customer – the learner – bringing a fresh perspective from them, the ultimate beneficiary. It gives learners a voice where it matters and feeds into national initiatives and policy-making.” (NLP member)
Since 2006, SHM has managed the delivery of the National Learner Panel (NLP) – a panel established by Bill Rammell (former minister for Further Education) to give learners a voice at the level of national policymaking. From August 2008, SHM has been working with the Learning and Skills Improvement Service - the panel’s new sponsor body – to take forward the work of the panel and further embed the learner voice in the policy development process.
The NLP consists of a diverse range of learners drawn from across the Further Education sector – different ages (16–75), with different experiences and from different parts of the country. The panel are volunteers who work with key policymaking organisations to influence and co-develop policy that impacts upon learners in Further Education.
Evaluations from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Learning and Skills Council and Ofsted, who have regularly worked with the panel since its inception, identified the following outcomes. The panel:
For further information, go to www.direct.gov.uk/nationallearnerpanel
Putting the learner voice at the heart of policy
“The panel involves the customer – the learner – bringing a fresh perspective from them, the ultimate beneficiary. It gives learners a voice where it matters and feeds into national initiatives and policy-making.” (NLP member)
Since 2006, SHM has managed the delivery of the National Learner Panel (NLP) – a panel established by Bill Rammell (former minister for Further Education) to give learners a voice at the level of national policymaking. From August 2008, SHM has been working with the Learning and Skills Improvement Service - the panel’s new sponsor body – to take forward the work of the panel and further embed the learner voice in the policy development process.
The NLP consists of a diverse range of learners drawn from across the Further Education sector – different ages (16–75), with different experiences and from different parts of the country. The panel are volunteers who work with key policymaking organisations to influence and co-develop policy that impacts upon learners in Further Education.
Evaluations from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Learning and Skills Council and Ofsted, who have regularly worked with the panel since its inception, identified the following outcomes. The panel:
- enables learners to inform and influence the shape of policy and initiatives going forward.
- provides constructive challenge and directly impacting upon advice that goes through to ministers.
- shifts the focus and emphasis for policymakers
- improves understanding of impact of policy at grass roots level
- creating a sense of cohesion that transcends the diversity of individual learners.
- implementing ways of working that are co-developed and owned by the panel.
- unlocking panel members’ personal motivations so that they are inspired to continue to contribute considerable time and effort on a voluntary basis
For further information, go to www.direct.gov.uk/nationallearnerpanel
