The Scrutiny Committee of the Council of the Isles of Scilly met on 10 June 2025 to elect a chair and vice-chair, and to discuss the committee's work plan for the coming year. The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the Learn Scilly service.

Learn Scilly

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Learn Scilly service, presented by Jo Evans, Head of Learning, Leisure and Customer Services. The report included a recommendation that the committee endorse the contents of the report and appendices, and recognise the positive impact and influence of the work undertaken by the Learn Scilly service. It also recommended that the committee scrutinise the information provided in the report and appendices, and make observations to inform the completion of the next self-assessment.

The report stated that adult learning is beneficial for health, with studies showing a direct correlation between adult learning and better mental health. It also stated that an appropriately skilled and committed workforce underpins and supports economic growth.

The Learn Scilly service undertakes four main areas of work:

• delivery of recreational courses
• delivery of vocational training
• facilitation of learning and development services for council staff
• information, advice and guidance (IAG) on all aspects of employability and skills

Ofsted¹ inspected the service in April 2023 and graded it as good overall.

The team consists of 1.8 full-time equivalent staff, not including the Head of Learning, Leisure and Customer Services. The service receives Adult Skills Funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)² which can only be used for those who are 19+ years old. The majority of this funding (99%) is Tailored Learning funding, which is designed to help individuals gain skills that lead to meaningful, sustained, and relevant employment or enable them to progress to further learning. The remaining 1% must be used to deliver qualifications. Other income comes from course fees, which totalled £9,529 in the 2024/25 financial year.

Learn Scilly works with a wide range of partners, including learning providers, colleges, Five Islands Academy, local authorities, business partnerships, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (CIOS) Growth and Skills Hub, CIOS People Hub and CIOS Economic Forum.

In the 2023/24 academic year, Learn Scilly facilitated the delivery of 72 courses, 31 recreational and 41 vocational. Enrolments for recreational courses totalled 191 (119 individuals) with vocational enrolments totalling 211 (154) individuals.

The recreational curriculum mainly consisted of a mix of craft, languages, digital skills and health and wellbeing. The vocational offer included health and safety, basic skills (English, maths and IT), construction, effective coaching and the safe use of vehicles and machinery.

The service also organised a visit from Cornwall partners involved in the four Shared Prosperity Funded projects; YEP (youth project), The Future is Green, Digital Futures and The People Hub.

The scope of the Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service was wide ranging and included vocational and recreational courses and pathways and progression routes (both learning and career related).

273 individuals, approximately 16% of the 19+ population of Scilly undertook a course with Learn Scilly during the 2023/24 academic year. 10% of enrolments were from off island residents compared to 11% in the previous academic year. Of the 41 vocational courses delivered, 26 were accredited.

The Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service undergoes independent assessment to the national MATRIX standard³ every 3 years. Strengths identified in the April 25 assessment include:

Learn Scilly ensures that its service is inclusive of the less densely populated off-islands through its consideration of the barriers facing potential learners in those locations. Interviewees from the off islands referred to the importance of the social aspect of attending courses on the main island because of their isolation.

Staff working for Learn Scilly have long experience of facilitating the learning and development needs of their colleagues in different council departments. They are responsive and able to advise staff and their managers on the most appropriate courses to meet their professional needs.

Partner organisations credited Learn Scilly managers with playing an active role in liaison and strategic shaping of collaborative service.

All staff receive mandatory training in Safeguarding and feedback confirms that processes are effective and maintained at readiness even though few concerns need to be raised by IAG staff.

The council provides resources to support staff wellbeing, and the management culture is appreciated by staff.

Organisations that refer into Learn Scilly, such as social prescribing services, perceive Learn Scilly as supportive of learner wellbeing.

The service facilitates the Council's workforce Personal Development Plan process (PDP) which is designed to develop and support a skilled, confident and flexible workforce.

The service contributes to the Council's Quarterly Performance Management Dashboard and reports monthly on PDP return data and mandatory course completion data.

The service works with the Human Resources department to undertake workforce planning activities with Heads of Service.

Areas identified for development include:

• Develop the curriculum to fully take advantage of the broader scope that the new Tailored Learning funding allows.
• Work with colleagues in Cornwall to ensure equitable access to training and skills through the Shared Prosperity Fund and its successor.
• Support island-based businesses to offer apprenticeships and training programmes on the islands by setting up an employer group to share best practice and offer advice. Advocate on behalf of employers with mainland training providers when necessary.
• Continue to develop the CIOS internal apprenticeship offer.
• Work closely with Council colleagues, the Growth Hub and the People Hub to enable island residents and businesses access to quality, tailored information, advice and guidance regarding skills, training and employability options.
• Ensure that the Council of the Isles of Scilly has a motivated, knowledgeable and skilled workforce by:
  • maximising the use of the service level agreement with Cornwall Council by expanding the number of online courses available to staff
  • work more closely with Heads of Service to offer advice and support on meeting their identified training requirements.
• Understand upcoming national changes in Adult Skills e.g., funding, governance and the Growth and Skills levy.

Scrutiny Committee Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to discuss and approve its work plan for the coming year. The proposed work plan included items such as:

• Learn Scilly Update
• Childrens Ofsted
• Integrated Health Hub
• Learning and workforce Development Advisory Group Annual Report
• Fire and Rescue HMICFRS Report
• Health Watch Annual Report
• Ofsted Childrens Standing Item
• Housing Crisis Report Update
• Annual Performance Outturn
• Fire Services Update Report
• LGSCO Report to note

The report noted that a decision would be required in respect of whether matters originally scheduled for the end of June 2025 meeting are postponed to the next scheduled meeting or whether a further meeting is scheduled into the diary of meetings.

Other items

The agenda also included the election of a chairman and vice-chairman for 2025/2026, and the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting.