European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network Database, ELGPN Database

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Helpline/web-based services in the UK

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Helpline/web-based services in the UK

Country

The United Kingdom

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

Yes
No

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

Learndirect, a national careers helpline for adults, was established in 2000. It offered online career information and advice by trained and qualified staff. In 2007, the service expanded to giving guidance over the telephone to specific target groups in England; other arrangements were in place for the rest of the UK. The service delivered over 14 million web sessions and over a million calls per year. These volumes were stimulated by marketing campaigns, including prime-time television advertising.

From 2008, responsibility for this service passed to the Learning and Skills Council, and it was re-titled the Careers Advice Service; this later became Next Step, and more recently the National Careers Service for England. The helpline includes not only telephone but also email and online chat. Separate arrangements now operate in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a range of marketing tools including press articles, Facebook and Twitter are used to increase customer awareness and uptake of services.

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Role (in policy initiative)

Organization name

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

Website address

No links specified.

Documents and publications

Attached files

No attachment files.

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Christine Minott

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, helpline, Facebook, Twitter, web-based services, adult education, United Kingdom

The matrix quality standard in the UK

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

The matrix quality standard in the UK

Country

The United Kingdom

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

Yes
No

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

The matrix quality standard in the UK

The matrix Standard is a quality framework for the effective delivery of information, advice and/or guidance on learning and work, designed to promote continuous improvement amongst individuals and organisations. Organisations are assessed every three years by externally appointed assessors and are required to seek continuous improvements in the way they deliver their service. The matrix Standard was launched in February 2002 and revised in 2005. In 2011, a restructured and revised version was trialled with organisations accredited or likely to seek accreditation against the Standard, and was confirmed as being more robust but achievable. The organisations valued: the alignment with business processes; the increased focus on outcomes; the links between organisational aims and objectives and service outcomes; the focus on staff development; and the use of targeted evaluation to support continuous improvement. The matrix Standard has been adopted by a range of organisations across the UK and there is an increasing international interest in the Standard. Over 2,100 organisations are accredited under the Standard. It is the intellectual property of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is Crown Copyright.


Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Role (in policy initiative)

Organization name

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

Website address

No links specified.

Documents and publications

Attached files

No attachment files.

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Christine Minott

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, quality framework, staff development, web-based services, adult education, United Kingdom