5 The strategic context for e-learning

  1. There are a number of national e-learning strategies being developed in related sectors that inform the strategy for social care.

    • The DfES E-Learning Strategy Unit has consulted on a unified e-learning strategy with the aim of 'bringing high quality accessible e-learning to everyone' (DfES 2003a). The consultation proposed seven action areas, including developing the education workforce, and unifying learner support. The DfES has also produced a skills strategy 'Success for All' (DfES 2002), covering provision for basic skills and ICT skills in the adult population. In July 2004, the DfES issued its Five Year Strategy, with priorities for reform including personalised learning. Technology is seen as a key enabler, and it is envisaged that the unified e-learning strategy will be published in autumn 2004 as a perspective on the Five Year Strategy.
    • A major strand of the social care e-learning strategy is the provision of e-learning support for the social work degree. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is charged with embedding e-learning in higher education in England. Its strategic work in e-learning through the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) includes networks, innovation and standards, with a focus on sustainability, and aims to encourage curriculum design that uses e-learning effectively for learners and employers - a critical partnership in the social work degree (HEFCE 2004). The DH commissioned scoping work in relation to the social work degree in 2003 (SWAP 2003). The new Higher Education Academy will focus on the needs of practitioners in all specialisms.
    • The NHSU, which has an educational remit for social care as well as health, is developing, with Strategic Health Authorities and the National Workforce Group, an e-learning strategy for the National Health Service (NHS). The current strategy seeks to identify the respective roles of key agencies and organisations in embedding e-learning across the NHS, and to establish some common aims and visions between health and social care, and to outline potential areas for collaboration. NHSU will be developing systems to support all aspects of the learning process, including offering learning resources, advice and guidance, research and development, administration and management (NHSU 2004).
    • The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is conducting a number of strategic reviews on a regional basis to assess how employers, education institutions, unions and other stakeholders can best improve workforce skills. The social care sector is one of LSC's areas of focus. It also published a national report on e-learning (LSC 2002) and works jointly with the DfES on overseeing the post-16 e-learning strategy (delivered through the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) as the National Learning Network (NLN) Transformation Programme). This programme aims to build capacity and embed e-learning in FE colleges, specialist institutions, adult and community learning organisations and training providers. Additionally, the DfES Standards Unit is working towards rollout of good practice frameworks and teaching materials in a range of curriculum areas to support the 'Success for All' strategy from September 2004.

  2. A strategic framework

    An e-learning strategy for social care needs to encourage sector-wide coherence, while at the same time supporting regional and local plans, initiatives and collaborations. The strategy itself contributes to wider long-term visions for social care, for lifelong learning and for workforce development, as set out in the following framework.

      Sponsors, partners, stakeholders Timescale
    Vision:
    social care (adults and children)    		 DH:
    • Modernising Social Services (1998)
    • Quality Strategy for Social Care (2000)
    • Vision for Adult Services (SCIE 2004);
    DfES:
    • Every Child Matters (2004)
    		 10 years
    Vision:
    skills    		 DfES:
    • Five Year Strategy Success for All (2002);
    • 21st Century Skills: Realising our Potential (2003b)
    		 10 years
    Vision:
    e-learning    		 DfES:
    • Towards a Unified e-learning Strategy (2003a)
    		 10 years
    Strategy E-learning strategy sponsored by SCIE/TopssEngland incorporated into the TopssEngland National Workforce Development Strategy (forthcoming 2005–8) 3–5 years
    Plans Unified plans from SCIE/TopssEngland and social care partners, education providers, local government partners, NHSU, regional development agencies 3–5 years
    Initiatives and projects Joint initiatives and projects from SCIE/TopssEngland and social care partners, education providers, local government partners, NHSU, regional development agencies, commercial developers 1–3 years
    Evaluation SCIE/TopssEngland, DH, DfES, key social care partners ongoing
< Previous section Next section >