Information and advice statement

Aims and outcomes 

This service is free of charge and offered to all adults who enquire about learning and for learners attending Community Learning courses. We provide impartial information and advice to support you making decisions relating to: 

• your personal and learning goals
• learning support needs you may have
• wider aspects where you might benefit from other support for your health, safety and wellbeing.

We provide this service so that:

• you have the information you need to make well-informed decisions about your learning
• you will be confident that your course is right for you
• you and your tutor will have a shared understanding of your starting points, goals and support needs
• your tutor will have the information they need about you so that courses are planned to meet your needs
• you will understand what you can progress on to following your course, and what you need to do to achieve this
• you will feel confident that you can ask for further information and advice from staff about aspects that might impact your life, and your learning, such as health, safety and wellbeing.

The service is underpinned by our Community Learning Values and our commitment to Safeguarding. We are committed to providing a safe learning environment for all our learners and those accessing our services. Your health and wellbeing is very important to us. 

We aim to provide an inclusive and fair service; we treat people as individuals and with respect. The information and advice we give you is confidential, impartial and in your best interests.

The Service

At the start

We advertise Community Learning courses using the following platforms: 

• Community Learning Course Directory and SCC website

• Facebook and X (Twitter)

• National Careers website and Staffs Jobs and Careers

• Through a range of local partners

During the course

Your tutor will work with you to understand more about your starting points, support needs and aspirations. You will then agree an Individual Learning Plan, which records this information so you can see how you are progressing.

Tutors will plan opportunities during and towards the end of the course to discuss with you what your next steps will be, and any further information and advice you may need to achieve these.

More information about the courses and support available is in our Learner Handbook.

At the end of the course

Tutors are familiar with the relevant progression opportunities and support services available, and can provide you with this information, and advice relevant to your individual situation.
You can also access support from:

• Staffordshire Jobs and Careers team
• National Careers Service
• Support Staffordshire website

You can also get information about volunteering from Volunteering Community of Practice on the Let's Talk Staffordshire website

Feedback

There are a number of opportunities for you to give feedback on our service; for more information see our website: Learner feedback - Staffordshire County Council

Get in touch

tel:01785 278770

communitylearning@staffordshire.gov.uk

When you contact us we will ask some questions to start to understand what you want to achieve, what your starting points are, if there are any areas where you will need support and to check that you are eligible to attend the courses/what fees you may be eligible for. 

We will ask for your contact details so we can get back to you with the information and advice you need. We store contact details and information on our secure systems in line with data protection legislation and SCC procedures. See our Privacy notice for more information.