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Executive Summary
Process
1. This report sets out the results of the 2007 national activity survey for community learning and development ( CLD). The survey builds on the CLD Activity Survey which ran in November 2006, and the pilot survey carried out in November 2005.
2. The CLD Activity Survey is a key part of a range of work by Learning Connections to build robust performance information relating to the CLD sector at a national level. This work to develop information on the outputs of CLD complements work relating to inputs and outcomes.
3. This survey therefore focuses on collecting information on the tangible deliverables of CLD; specifically the number of individual learning opportunities accessed and the number of community groups supported by the sector.
4. The data collection was carried out over a snap-shot week from 5th to 11th November 2007. All 32 local authorities were invited to participate in the survey. They were asked to coordinate the return of information on CLD activity carried out directly by their own staff and volunteers.
5. For the second year running, the invitation to take part in the survey was extended to non-local authority CLD partners who delivered CLD opportunities within the CLD partnership.
6. The full text of the questions asked can be found in Appendix 1 but in general terms respondents were asked to report on:
- the number of learning opportunities that they directly provided for adults;
- the number of learning opportunities that they directly provided for young people; and
- The number of community groups that they directly supported during the reporting week.
Results from the data collection
Local authority delivery
7. Returns were made by all 32 local authorities. In total, across Scotland, they reported that during the reporting week of 5 - 11 November 2007:
- 62,855 adult learning opportunities were accessed;
- 90,317 youth work opportunities were accessed; and
- 3699 community groups were supported.
Delivery by non-local authority partners
8. The total number of returns made was 95. Participants were asked to make separate returns in relation to each local authority area in which they worked and therefore some organisations made more than one return. In total, 70 separate, non-local authority partner organisations, from 28 local authority areas made at least one return. There was no response from 4 local authority areas, other than that from the local authority itself.
9. In total, across Scotland, the non-local authority partners who took part in the survey reported that during the reporting week the following CLD opportunities were accessed via their organisation:
- 8383 adult learning opportunities were accessed;
- 4332 youth work opportunities were accessed; and
- 409 community groups were supported.
Notes on the figures
10. The following points are important considerations in respect of all these figures:
- This is the third year of data collection from local authorities, using substantively the same questions in terms of their own direct delivery. It is apparent that local authorities have continued to refine their data collection processes over the past 3 years. The reported improvements in accessibility of data indicate improved performance information systems in many local authorities.
- Though the repetition of the questions asked of local authorities in the pilot and previous surveys allows for some comparison, it is advisable to be cautious in drawing conclusions at this stage. Data collection over a longer period will be required to robustly identify trends over time.
- Ninety five returns from non-local authority partners clearly substantially under-represents actual delivery; this number represents about 14% of the organisations who were invited to participate. These figures should therefore not be taken as indicative of the level of non-local authority delivery across Scotland.
- The non-local authority partners which made returns in 2006 and 2007 are largely different in each year, with only a small number making returns in both years. Worthwhile conclusions can therefore not be drawn from year on year comparison of non-local authority figures at this stage as it is not based on figures from the same set of organisations.
- Due to the wide range of local factors impacting on the level of CLD delivery, the data do not support comparison between local areas.
11. More detailed consideration is included in the main report.
Evaluation returns
12. In addition to the data return, respondents were asked to complete a detailed evaluation form. The following are the main results from the evaluation:
- The evaluation of the data collection exercise for 2007 was broadly positive. The majority of respondents expressed satisfaction with the guidance and the data collection process.
- However, the continued low level of returns by non-local authority partners makes it difficult to draw conclusions about how the process worked for them. It may be that those who were not satisfied with the guidance or the process simply did not make returns.
- Encouragingly, however, of those that did take part the vast majority from both local authorities and non-local authority partners said that they could see the relevance of the exercise and would be willing to take part in it again.
- Against this broadly positive picture, there remain a number of issues that should be considered if undertaking the exercise again:
- Feedback in the evaluation forms indicates that some aspects of the guidance were clear for those with a CLD background, but less clear for those from other disciplines.
- The length of the guidance was an issue and several local authorities reported that they had produced abridged versions for use in the field.
- The online format was welcomed by many as a quick and efficient way of making the returns; however, for those who did have difficulties, it was perceived as a major problem. Comments received on the evaluation, indicate that smaller organisations in particular, do not always have easy access to the internet or the staff with the IT skills to complete the survey on-line.
- During the data collection process, it became evident that problems had arisen from providing a sample form. Feedback from the 2006 survey suggested that we send this out with the guidance to allow participants to see what information would be required prior to completing the on-line survey. A word version of the survey form was sent out with the documentation for the 2007 survey. However, several organisations attempted to return the sample form instead of completing the on-line survey, resulting in frustration which was reflected in several comments on the evaluation of this year's survey.
THE FUTURE OF THE CLD ACTIVITY SURVEY
13. Learning Connections currently plans to run a CLD Activity Survey in 2009. Over the coming months, we will work with partners to review the experience of running the survey in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the issues that have emerged from that and the options for collecting data on the outputs of CLD in future.
14. We would welcome your views on how data which can measure the scope and scale of all CLD provision (by local authorities and other sectors) on a national basis could be progressed.
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