Case Study: Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners

Martin McNally

What do employers want? The clear articulation of needs

Overview

• What is Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners?

• How did it come about?• How does it work?• How does it facilitate the articulation of employer

need?• Where we are up to?• Who are the stakeholders?• Group work!

How did it come about?

• North West Housing Management Best Practice vision to accredit work based practice to recognised qualifications

• Championed by core group of employers• The changing policy context and multidisciplinary role of the

social housing sector• Employer need for a flexible / blended approach (not day release)

that links directly to work based practice• The need for a ‘different’ kind of provision

– where learner are sensitised to their own learning preferences– critical reflection is central to action planning for improving individual

and organisational performance • The recommendations of the Leach Review of Skills (2006)

What is Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners?

• A highly flexible programme of learning for housing practitioners

• Uses the University of Chester tried and tested Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) framework

• It harnesses work based practice to contribute to accredited higher education awards

• Content shaped and delivered in partnership with senior housing sector professionals

• Developed in line with Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) expectations for corporate membership

Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS)

• University of Chester recognised specialist in the delivery of WBIS

• Used to help mature work based learners since early 90’s

• Provides a framework for delivery of genuinely negotiated learning, tailored to individual and organisational need

• Uses critical reflection to development knowledge and improve performance

Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS)

• Blended learning – using a virtual learning environment (VLE), one / two day workshops, tutorial support, work based mentoring …

• Flexible routes for progression from Foundation level through Professional Doctorate

• Strong emphasis on formative assessment• Develops reflective practitioners

Facilitating employer needs

• Highly flexible• Content is shaped and delivered by employers –

Learning Pathways Curriculum Development Group• WBIS enables employer training and development

programmes to be accredited to recognised awards• Expert practitioners delivery modules as Associate

Tutors of the University of Chester• Individual learning pathways are possible through

negotiated experiential learning modules (NELMs)

Facilitating employer needs

• APEL and APCL can contribute up to 50% of an award• Uses approaches which are designed to empower

individuals who are returning to learning• Flexible and self paced

Where are we up to?

Leadership and Management Professional Certificate

(60 Credits)

Managing Performance

(L4 20c)

Principles, Processes and Skills of Coaching

(L4 20c)

Strategies for Effective Workplace

Leadership(L4 20c)

Learning Pathways for Housing Practitioners

Foundation Degree

Other Ways of Obtaining 60 Credits

Negotiated Experiential Learning

Module (NELM)

Accredited Prior Learning

(APL / APEL)

Existing WBIS Modules

Supported Housing(60 Credits)

Older Persons Housing(l4 20c)

Partnership Working(L4 20c)

Aids & Adaptations

(l4 20c)

Working with Vulnerable

tenants(L4 20c)

Improving Service Through Effective Performance Management

L5 20c

Housing Management Law

Professional Certificate(60 Credits)

Tenancy Management

(l5 20c)`

Community Safety

(L5 20c)

Asset & Estate Management

(lL5 20c)

Introduction to Housing Law

(L4 20c)

HomelessnessL4 20c

Financial Inclusion(L5 20c)

Allocations & Lettings

(L4 20c)

Intelligent Sustainability in a Low Carbon Environment

L4 20c

The Stakeholders

Successes, challenges and lessons learnt

• Successes– the level of employer engagement and commitment– opening up of a genuine dialogue with employers and their

networks– the speed of development– the shared vision for the Foundation Degree– CIH dialogue and working toward accredited centre

validation– two professional certificates up and running– the ‘widening access to learning’ attributes of WBIS– use of different elements to assess learners

Successes, challenges and lessons learnt

• Challenges and lessons learnt– dealing with learner confidence and self esteem

and developing their academic / study skills– learners getting to grips with being critically

reflective– achieving (unrealistic?) targets!– institutional commitment to sustaining and

mainstreaming Learning Pathways– securing resources– managing institutional norms and ways of doing

things

Group Work!How to facilitate the articulation of employers’ needs

• Individually (5 minutes)– What do you consider are the likely• successes• good practices• barriers and• challenges in identifying and delivering what employers

want?• Groups of 7/8 discuss and select what you think are the top 3

key issues from each of the above ( 15 minutes)• Each group presents their top three (5 minutes each)