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Dorset County Council
Post-16 Citizenship activity at Dorset County Council
Dorset County Council has many roles as a local authority. In relation to the Post-16 Citizenship project the most relevant ones are the role as a Community leader, Employer and Training provider.
Dorset is an average sized County in terms of area, it is among the smallest counties in terms of population (398,200) of which approximately 50,000 are young people aged between 10 to 19 years of age.
The County Council employs over 15,000 staff and has been operating as a Training Provider, offering Apprenticeships, for over ten years. The apprentices are all young employees, completing a full Apprenticeship framework in Administration. Citizenship development has clear links to the work of the County Council and proves to be an enhancement to the apprentices training. The projects the apprentices have been involved in have also enabled apprentices to "evidence" parts of other qualifications they study. These include Key Skills in Communication, Number and IT, in addition to elements of NVQ units.
This year apprentices have completed projects on Citizenship, which linked to the QCA/AQA Level 3 Citizenship trial. The project task focused on Task Two in the specification guidance, which is "Research the benefits to students, staff and the institution and the local community of elected forums. What actions can you take to help make your institution more democratic and inclusive in its decision making?" The apprentices researched the consultation processes the council uses and looked at the effectiveness in reaching a diverse group of young people. The apprentices completed the projects effectively and their work has been used:-
a) To inform the Consultation Manager of possible routes to improve the consultation process
b) To moderate and standardise the marking criteria for the trial L3 award
c) To reference the apprentices' portfolio evidence against the skills demonstrated in other awards.
In addition, the active citizenship theme has been promoted through representation at conferences, like the New Local Government Network conference in January 2006 and through network meetings staff attend in a variety of settings. The apprentices have also taken part in activities like 'Car free day' and promoted the concept by travelling to work in a different way. They negotiated with a local supermarket and travelled to work in their shopping trolleys, which attracted local media attention to the theme.
Citizenship coordinator's top tips for setting up post-16 citizenship activity:
- Evaluate the resources involved, look at the costs and the benefits to the organisation and the individuals
- Try and ensure the activities are real and can have impact and make a difference
- Enthuse and enagage the learners and maximise the evidence they produce
- Share ideas in the staff and learner teams, let the theme/ projects evolve
- Check, check and double check the projects in progress, for learner direction, understanding and progression.
How this organisation could help you:
The Learning and Development section of Dorset County Council is willing to support other organisations by sharing their experiences:
a) By discussing activities and their effectiveness
b) By hosting visits for colleagues to find out more about the work and our involvement
For more information see the Dorset County Council leaflet on post-16 citizenship activity.
Contact information
Name of citizenship coordinator:
Liz Davies
Citizenship coordinator’s telephone:01305 224758
Citizenship coordinator’s email:
e.davis@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Organisation website:
www.dorsetforyou.com
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