Henna (Harehills ESOL Needs Neighbourhood Audit)

Neighbourhood audit carried out in Leeds of ESOL provision.

Carried out between Dec 2010-Mar 2011. Published May 2011.

Authors:

(Contact: Dr James Simpson)

Other project members:
Dr Matt Homer
Michael Hepworth
Tiffy Allen - RETAS
Rhiannon Grant - RETAS
Shamiso Sisimayi - RETAS
Melanie Cooke - King's College London
Professor Mike Baynham
John Callaghan

Funded By: Leeds City Council/YoHRSpace

Conclusions:

"ESOL provision will not be effective it it adopts a narrow view towards employability, it will only be effective if it is sustained and embedded in the whole of social life"

Provision is either 'mainstream' or 'peripheral'. 'Peripheral' is voluntary or private sector.

Many students cannot be accomodated in mainstrean provision.

Most marginalised often dependant on peripheral provision.

Funding in peripheral organsations is not coherent/sustained.

Provision is fragmented already and erosion of Skills for Life is likely to lead to a return of fragmented picture of provision of previous times.

Recommend:
Local authorities should take lead in ESOL provision.

Implications of current funding policy:

Many students likely to be excluded by new policy.
ESOL sector suffer job losses because of policy.
Responsibility is likely to be shouldered more heavily by private sector and voluntary sector.