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A report by HM Inspectors has highlighted the quality of Community Learning Services, delivered on behalf of the Council by live51�Թ����App, across 51�Թ����App and Bute.

Councillors were updated on the progress being made in the provision of Adult Learning and Youth Services at today’s meeting of the Community Services committee (28 August).

Community Learning works closely with communities and partners to help individuals, families and groups achieve their potential through lifelong learning, mutual support and strong community organisations. It focuses on youth work as well as community-based adult learning programmes such as adult literacies and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

HM Inspectors visited 51�Թ����App and Bute Council last year to undertake a Community Learning and Development Progress Visit and, in addition to noting significant strengths in the services, also identified some areas for further development.

Community Learning Development (CLD) 51�Թ����App and Bute submitted a progress report to HMIe in February 2025, and HM Inspectors confirmed that all areas had been addressed effectively and that no further engagement by HMIe was required.

Progress has been made across a number of key areas including:

• CLD Engagement with Learners - Both the number of engagement sessions and registered learning among young people have increased significantly. Registered learning in 2024/2025 rose by 40% from 2023/2024. Attendance and engagement in activities that require participation have increased by 176%
• In 2024, local Community Learning Youth Action Groups (YAGs) carried out consultations to identify young people’s learning needs. Feedback from the consultation showed that almost all learners demonstrated improved health and wellbeing outcomes and felt less isolated. There is also increased awareness of the services available, including in the more remote areas and island communities
• Adult Learning has expanded its Adult Literacy and Numeracy Provision through a successful funding application to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and MULTIPLY. The result has been an increase in registered learning by 27% from 2023/2024. Attendance and engagement by Adult Learners in activities that require one-time participation have increased by 66%
• Community Learning has continued to support the education service through its partnerships with secondary schools to help broaden the curriculum and offer a wide range of attainment and achievement possibilities. This provides achievement pathways and skills-building opportunities for learners, helping to reduce the poverty-related attainment gap
• The latest figures for Adult Learning show an increase in accreditation and a decrease in wider achievement certificates from 2023/2024. More adult learners have increased their confidence and are ready to engage with accredited qualifications that will increase employment opportunities or help them access further or higher education
• Twenty-six separate English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses were offered across the local authority. A total of 242 refugees and asylum seekers participated in ESOL courses to improve their skills in English. As a result of ESOL engagement and other learning opportunities, Syrian, Afghan and Ukrainian learners report increased confidence and reduced social isolation within their community.

All local authorities are required to publish a three-year plan outlining how they will co-ordinate, deliver and improve CLD services. 51�Թ����App and Bute has consulted with partners, including Education, third sector organisations, and learners, all of whom have been actively involved in shaping the plan’s priorities. The can be viewed on the live51�Թ����App website.

Councillor Audrey Forrest, Policy Lead for Education, said: “This report clearly demonstrates the significant improvements and strengths achieved by Community Learning since the transfer of the service to live51�Թ����App in 2021, and specifically those outlined by HMIe in the January 2024 HMIe Progress Visit and the subsequent review in February 2025. 

“I’m so pleased see the positive outcomes for young people and adult learners in 51�Թ����App and Bute resulting from Community Learning’s understanding of the needs of individuals, groups and communities.”