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Salford City Council
Challenging naturally at Lledr Hall OEC
Outdoor education service
Lledr Hall OEC
Annual report 2011-2012
Challenging naturally at Lledr Hall OEC
Salford City Council
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Contents
Introduction to report 3
Overview and aims 5 Service achievements 7
Workforce development planning 8
Financial resources 9
Lledr Hall course charges 10 Customer view 10
Performance overview 11
Directorate Planning Framework 12 Strategic view 13
Continuum of Outdoor Learning Provision 14
Every child matters 15 Staffing structure 16
Activities 17
Accreditation awards 18
What makes the Outdoor Education Service so special? 19 Equality and diversity 20
The Booth Charities 21
Healthy eating 22 Eco centres 23
Budget analysis 24
User groups by electoral ward 25 End of report summary 28
Correspondence from visiting groups 29
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Introduction to the 2011 - 2012 report
Report produced by: Alistair D. Cook
Head of Outdoor Education Service.
I am pleased to report that, for all those groups who have attended a course at Lledr Hall OEC in 2011-2012, the outdoor service has met and exceeded their expectations.
However, the year has not been without its challenges.
A 40% budget cut resulted in course charges rising by 19%, with operational costs being cut out of a necessity to achieve this.
The rise in course charges has adversely affected course bookings, and the Outdoor Education Service was unable to produce a balanced budget by year end March
2012. Interestingly, the under-achievement of income equated to the financial cut.
In a commercial context, the cost to attend a course at LHOEC compares very favourably with national competitors. However, this does not make the cost
affordable for many Salford parents, unfortunately. As a direct requirement of the financial imperative to achieve a balanced budget, the
outdoor education service delivery model has been required to change in a fundamental way: from 1st April 2012 courses are to be provided to any user group regardless of their location.
To provide assurance to all potential users, importantly from both within and
particularly outside Salford, and to successfully sell courses as a credible provider in this most competitive market, the Outdoor Education Service has gained national external verification and accreditation awards confirming the highest standard of
service provision. This is an outstanding achievement and is testimony to the dedication, skills and,
above all other considerations, the successful child-centred approach applied by all staff employed by the outdoor education service.
The vision ‘To provide a high quality outdoor education service to all schools and communities’ is the driving force energising our work.
There is un-contestable evidence from a significant volume of educational research demonstrating that out-of-school learning activities enhance personal development in terms of cognitive, affective and social outcomes.
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However, there is also evidence that the increasing cost of attending a course at
Lledr Hall OEC has created a barrier which is now preventing some schools from bringing their pupils.
Furthermore, statistics show that, in areas of deprivation, there is a direct correlation between the provision of opportunities to engage in outdoor education and Ofsted grades; schools that pro-actively impel their pupils into an outdoor learning
environment achieve better Ofsted grades, and this national picture seems to be reflected in Salford.
At a time when the range of educational services provided by local councils is being re-considered, there is a danger that the provision of a non-statutory outdoor
education service could be seen to be at odds with this new ‘commissioning and procurement’ role of the City Council, this a result of the expectation by central government.
In the light of the evidence outlined above, it is clear that there has never been a greater need for an inclusive outdoor education service to be successful in its work
with our young people. The work of your outdoor education service is harmonious with the aspirations of the Every Child Matters outcomes and its associated strategies at both a national and local level.
The Outdoor Education Service is a successful contributor to those strategies which seek to enable all young people to become successful learners and confident
individuals who go on to lead happy and fulfilled lives. Your Outdoor Education Service has, over the last twelve months, successfully
provided outdoor learning opportunities which our users have told us they have needed and wanted for all their young people.
The challenge before us is to support this service as it strives to deliver these most beneficial personal development outcomes in a sustainable and cost-effective way,
and to ensure that future generations of Salford young people can also benefit from this most effective method of teaching and learning.
Alistair D. Cook Head of Outdoor Education Service.
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Outdoor Education Service overview and aims
Service Base Lledr Hall Outdoor Education Centre, Pont Y Pant, Dolwyddelan, Conwy, LL25 0PJ
Service Aim To provide a high quality residential Outdoor Education Service to the City of Salford,
its’ schools, and communities. Services offered by the Outdoor Education Service:
Provide: Out of school curriculum support
An experiential approach to personal and social development Outdoor adventurous activities as part of KS 2 – 4 and GCSE Curriculum
An advisory service and training opportunities to schools and communities
Engage effectively with local communities and meet their needs Develop and enhance the pupil / teacher relationship
A service to the commercial sector and other council departments Raise environmental awareness.
Where the unit is now:
The Outdoor Education Service is striving to be established as the best Local Authority Outdoor Education Service in the CiPFA statistics for metropolitan districts nearest-neighbours group.
To achieve this, the Service has:
Provided a flexible customer-defined service and achieved course objectives. Optimised occupancy through creative thinking in the booking process.
Developed on-site teaching facilities and resources.
Expanded the range of Outdoor Adventurous Activity provision. Pursued marketing strategies to achieve income.
Used Continuous Professional Development to gain efficiency. Maintained accreditation to National Governing Bodies and professional
organisations. Raised the profile of the service at local and national levels.
Gained three additional national accreditation awards based on the high standard of its service delivery.
Service Vision
Every child and young person should experience the world outside the classroom as an integral part of their learning and development, complementing learning in the classroom.
High quality outdoor education provision can stimulate and inspire; foster independence; aid personal and social development; and can often motivate
reluctant learners. These experiences should be stimulating, safely managed and enjoyable, and contribute to meeting the needs of every young person in Salford.
At Lledr Hall, the term ‘Outdoor Education’ embraces activities and experiences that
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normally take place out of doors
frequently have an adventurous component generally involve physical activity; and
always respect the natural environment.
The activities provided include recognised sports with an adventurous component such as orienteering, outdoor pursuits such as mountaineering, kayaking and
canoeing, and outdoor activities purposefully designed for their educational impact such as ropes courses and initiative challenges.
Outdoor education at Lledr Hall is primarily an approach to teaching and learning through these activities and experiences. The common theme is the focus on positive outcomes in personal education.
Priorities and Ambitions
In pursuit of the Service objective to be the best provider in the CiPFA stats for metropolitan districts nearest neighbours, the following priority objectives have been identified for the Outdoor Education Service during the period 2011 - 2012:
High quality provision is second only to safety as a priority.
All course programmes to reflect local priorities as identified by user groups.
All service operations must be clearly linked to national strategies.
Close liaison with course leaders must be scheduled into the centre staff programme to ensure that course objectives are achieved.
Outdoor Education Service must be sustainable.
Outdoor Education Service must respond positively and effectively to an
increasingly diverse range of user-demands and their expectations.
Outdoor Education Service must work closely with colleagues to support a
team to lead the Outdoor Learning Cards training sessions, and deliver training to Salford teachers. The Outdoor Service has much more expertise to
offer to these issues than is accessed at present.
Create a meeting schedule which brings together those officers working in this
specific area of education provision, to share and increase awareness, understanding, and best practice.
There is potential for colleagues in other directorates to use the Outdoor
Education Service for in-house management and teamwork training, with both professional development and cost-saving benefits.
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Service achievements
Summary
Safety standards maintained Course evaluations scored higher than target
The Service retained it’s core users despite a reduced contribution from the City Council
Facilities maintained to a high standard All inspections by external agencies were successfully passed.
Staff attendance high / sickness absence levels within corporate range.
The Outdoor Education Service provided an efficient and effective service when assessed against these criteria.
Description of our work and services The Outdoor Education Service is non-mandatory, its existence and its success are
testimony to the City Council’s commitment to achieving the shared priorities for local and national government.
It provides an inclusive, relevant, accessible service. The Outdoor Education Service is a part-traded service. As such, its sustainability is
dependant upon the satisfaction of those groups who access the service it provides; it must achieve the specific course objectives required by course leaders. To do this
it must be inclusive, relevant and accessible. Range of services
The Outdoor Education is specifically tasked to provide a high quality residential
outdoor education service to the city of Salford, its’ schools and its’ communities. This defines the range of service provision.
Place of delivery
Lledr Hall is used as a central resource base to deliver the vast majority of courses. However, non-residential courses are provided within the city where course objectives and requirements dictate that this must be the modus operandi.
Accessibility of services
The Outdoor Education Service is striving to provide barrier-free opportunities. Where barriers to positive participation exist, strategies are adopted to overcome
them. This is usually achieved through successful partnership working. Marketing of services
The Outdoor Education Service does not have a dedicated marketing budget.
Therefore a prudent approach must be adopted if investment is required in marketing as this takes funding away from front-line provision.
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The City council’s web site is a cost-effective conduit for the dissemination of marketing information.
Workforce development planning
Staff training The outdoor education service is committed to the development of it’s staff. The performance management plan ensures that all staff, regardless of their position, are
supported by providing appropriate training, experience, and where it is applicable, a qualification to confirm their competence to carry out their tasks.
Training needs are identified at four levels of priority; Priority 1: Statutory, CPD, other mandatory training such as Health and Safety.
Priority 2: Training needed to do current job or achieve objectives in the individual work plan. Priority 3: Training needed for future organisational requirements in line with the
workforce development plan. Priority 4: Personal development to achieve career aspirations.
Formal session monitoring provides valuable feedback for the management team and teaching staff informing them of what is happening at point of service delivery in the mountains, forests and on the rivers and lakes which are the typical teaching
locations for our courses. This informs a review which in turn inputs to the formulation of personal and
professional development plans. These plans must be in harmony with service needs. Staff Supervision
There is close daily contact within the staff team, and at all operation levels. This ensures that all aspects of high quality service delivery can be discussed on a
daily basis. Daily contact ensures that any issues which arise can be promptly addressed and
outcomes / strategies agreed. This is in addition to Annual appraisals, and 1:1 meetings held as necessary.
A professional approach is therefore adopted which suits the specific requirements of staff employed within the Outdoor Education Service and the unique demands it
places on them. This approach is harmonious with the guidelines for Managers employed by the City Council.
Staff Appraisal Each member of staff has an annual appraisal. The trigger for this process is the Annual Appraisal of the Head of Service so as to
ensure that subsequent appraisals conform to the latest guidelines.
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Head of Service leads the Annual Appraisal process for non-teaching staff, whilst
Graham Burns, Deputy Head leads the CPD process for teachers employed by the service. This includes an opportunity for supply staff to participate if they wish to take up the invitation to participate. This has proved popular and useful in the recent
past. Staff Attendance
Attendance levels within the Service are generally good, especially considering the physically and emotionally demanding nature of the service provided and the working environment.
Safe working practice has always been a doctrine enshrined at all levels, with a
previously corresponding low level of sickness absence. However, this year the negative impact on centre staff due to the decision by the
council not to replace [staff name redacted], Site Officer at Lledr Hall, when he retired in October 2011, is now very noticeable as the essential duties associated with this full-time role are having to be done by the existing staff. This is in addition
to their existing duties. This was a very questionable decision when considered in the short term and is
undoubtedly unsustainable in the long term due to the additional and continuous strain it places on staff.
The increased risk it poses is due to the fact that it is compromising safe working practice at the centre.
A replacement Site Office needs to be appointed, and this should be considered as a matter of urgency.
Financial resources
Salford City Council has provided a financial subsidy to all Salford course participants since Lledr Hall was first opened in 1964.
This financial support was a strategy to ensure that no financial barrier existed which might have prevented Salford Young People from accessing the positive personal
learning benefits which derive from active participation in outdoor adventurous activities at Lledr Hall OEC.
There is a negative impact associated with a £60,850 cut in 2011-2012 service budget. This represents a 34.78% cut from the previous 10-11 budget.
Also to be considered is the annual inflation to remaining expenditure codes of approximately 3% which adds a further £5,250 to this figure.
The Outdoor Education Service was briefed to not include the inflation increase, but
was instructed to cut budget expenditure codes to compensate.
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This equates to a total budget reduction £66,000.
Annual efficiency savings, compounded over a 14 year period, have resulted in a very lean and efficient Service Delivery Model being adopted out of necessity to
ensure that resources are used to optimised levels without safety being compromised. An increase in course fee income of 19% has been introduced from 1st April 2011 to
bridge the financial gap created by the 34.78% budget cut.
Lledr Hall course charges
Course charges to Salford user groups are subsidised by a contribution from the children’s services directorate budget.
In the period 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2012 this subsidy was £111,367. This represents 22% of the total operational budget, with a balance of
£381,669, 78%, coming from course charges. The council’s contribution to the outdoor education budget at Lledr Hall is
used to provide an inclusive service by reducing the cost of participation by £15.26 a day.
Salford’s young people pay £104.62 for a weekend course, and £209.25 for a week long course.
These charges are based on a group leader bringing 32 young people, staying in the main house.
The centre does not charge for staff that accompany the group.
Customer View
The Outdoor Education Service is non-mandatory, its existence and its success are testimony to the City Council’s commitment to achieving the shared priorities for local and national government.
It provides an inclusive, relevant, accessible service.
The Outdoor Education Service is a part-traded service. As such, its sustainability is dependant upon the satisfaction of those groups who access the service it provides; it must achieve the specific course objectives required by course leaders. To do this
it must be inclusive, relevant and accessible.
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Responding to the views of stakeholders
Each course provided by Lledr Hall is reviewed by participants at the end of each session as well as at the end of their course when leaders and centre staff contribute
to the process. The information gained through end of course evaluations is reviewed and used to
guide the service. It has been recently realised that the views of young people are under-represented
in these evaluations and a strategy for addressing this is now in place.
Performance overview
Improvement Targets Financial
Service achieves it’s income target. Course charges set at an affordable level for users.
Safety
Safety record is maintained at the levels achieved in the previous period, or better.
Quantative Centre booking portfolio reflects the diversity of user requirements.
Quality Centre employs qualified teachers with a diverse range of additional NGB awards
to enable the service to achieve its service objective. Evaluations exceed 75% satisfaction level.
Gain external verification to confirm the high standards of safety and course
provision.
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Cabinet Workplan Priorities Tackling poverty Complex families Health reforms Supporting the economy Fear of Crime
Directorate Priorities
H1
To give Children and Young People the opportunities to make safer and healthier choices (Lead: Eileen Buchan)
S1
To implement the Salford City Council Safeguarding Action Plan and ensure at least adequate status for Children’s Services (Lead: Gani Martins)
E1
To take a leading role to support the delivery of a school system that is good/outstanding (Lead: Paul Makin/Phil Smith)
P1
To lead on redefining
what positive
contribution means to
Children and Young
People
(Lead: Eileen Buchan)
W1
To enable more Children and Young People to follow their chosen learning and training pathways (Lead: Cathy Starbuck)
IM 1 To implement effective performance management systems/processes/culture (Lead: Jon Stonehouse)
H2
To support the emotional and mental health and well-being of Children and Young People (Lead: Debbie Fallon, Eileen Buchan)
S2
To implement effective interventions as regards the number of children missing from home (Lead: Mike Kelly)
E2
To transform the learning offer so that it is more inclusive (Lead: Tom Healy)
P2
To ensure the provision
of effective support to
young carers
(Lead: Debbie Fallon)
IM 2 To further develop reputational
opportunities (Lead: Nick
Page/Claire Hunter)
H3
Improve the experience of children with disabilities and their families (Lead : Julie Moss)
S3
To integrate the work of Children’s Centres with wider Children’s Services work and the work of partner organisations (Lead: Sue Myers)
E3
To ensure equal access to quality childcare settings (Lead – Sarah Callaghan)
IM 3 To further develop partnerships to deliver effective services for children and young people (inclusive of AGMA collaboration and locality working (e.g.: Life Chances) (Lead: Debbie Fallon)
IM 4 To ensure that staffing resources and abilities are ‘fit for purpose’ within a balanced budget ( Lead Nick Page, Jon Stonehouse, Paula Summersfield))
IM 5
Lead response to structural Health Change (Lead: Jon Stonehouse)
F E H C P
H
E
P C C
C P C
P F P
H
C
P
Salford City Council Children’s Services Directorate 2011/12 Business Planning Framework Our directorate vision: To work together with children, their families and our partners to continuously improve the outcomes for all children and young people across the Directorate’s objectives. Our mission: We want children growing up in Salford to see and say their city, community, home and our services are great.
Objective 2: Stay
Safe (S) Objective 1: Be
Healthy (H)
Objective 3: Enjoy & Achieve (E)
Objective 6: Improving as
an organisation (IM)
Objective 4: Make a
Positive Contribution (P)
Objective 5: Achieve
Economic Well-being (W)
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National Outcomes for Young People
Corporate Plan and Pledges
Cabinet Work Plan
To what standard
How we do it
How do we know we have been successful?
Provide a high quality residential outdoor education service to the
city of Salford it’s schools and communities.
Raise environmental awareness. Develop and enhance teacher pupil relationships.
Community engagement. Meet the needs of communities.
Provide a service to the commercial sector and other council departments
Out of school curriculum support. Experiential approach to personal and social
development. OAA’s in the P.E. curriculum. Advisory service and training opportunities to schools
and communities.
Outdoor education service plan.
Provide a customer-defined service.
Optimize occupancy. Develop on-site facilities. Expand the range of activities.
Hold an AALA licence.
Pursue marketing strategies to increase income.
Use performance management to develop staff skills. Hold accreditation to NGB’s. Hold accreditation to AHOEC and OEAP.
Quality indicators at Lledr Hall.
When they are participating in course at Lledr Hall OEC, children, young people
and adults:
Appreciate the benefits of physical fitness. Broaden their horizons and become open to a wider range of
life chances. Have an increased appetite for learning, there by contributing
to raised attainment in other aspects of their education.
Adopt a positive approach.
Gain personal confidence and self esteem. Develop self awareness and social skills. Become aware of the natural environment. Develop technical skills.
KPI’s Qualified teaching staff Achieve income target Evaluations 75%+ Diverse course provision 7296 bed nights
Outdoor Education Service – Strategic View
National Outcomes for Adults
QCA
What we do
Sustainable Community Strategy Themes
Salford Strategic Partnership Priorities
Greater Manchester Strategy
Being healthy Staying safe Enjoying and achieving Making a positive contribution Achieving economic wellbeing
Dignity and respect Health and emotional wellbeing Economic wellbeing Positive contribution
Choice and control Improved quality of life No discrimination or harassment
Early years Life chances Highly skilled Attracting talent Housing market Effective governance
Low carbon economy International connectivity Economic base Transport
Healthy City Safe City Learning and creative City City where children and young people are valued
Inclusive City Economically responsive City City that’s good to live in
Child poverty Community safety Health Worklessness
Improving health Reducing crime Encouraging learning, leisure and creativity Investing in young people
Promoting inclusion Creating prosperity Enhancing life
Tackling child poverty Reinforcing community cohesion Transforming Salford through MediaCityUK Delivering services fit for people
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A Vision for a Continuum of Outdoor Learning Provision in Salford
Successful Learners Confident Individuals Responsible Citizens Leading Fulfilled Lives
Strategy Aim – Increase Participation
Staff Training – Critical component to secure effectiveness Simon Willis, Alistair Cook, Graham Burns
EVC – Roles and Responsibilities Group Leadership
Key Stage 1-2
Key Stage 3-4
Foundation
14 - 19
Outdoor Learning Cards Adults
Community Courses Teacher Training Courses
3rd Sector Salford Foundation
Peer Mentoring GCSE P.E.
School
Location
Grounds Locality SWAC LHOEC YPS Clubs D of E
Sarah Barnes
Berni Tomlinson
Real World
C o n t r i b u t i o n t o P e r s o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t
11 yrs old –
Residential Experience
14 yrs old – OAA’s in
Real World Setting
Critical Points In terms of Child Development
Self Reliant
Expeditions
Volunteering/NCS
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Every child matters – Lledr Hall Outdoor Education Centre
Successful learners Confident individuals Responsible citizens
Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being Aims – Every child matters
Physically healthy Mentally and emotionally
healthy Sexually healthy Healthy lifestyles
Choose not to take illegal drugs
Parents, carers and families promote healthy choices
Safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation
Safe from accidental injury and death
Safe from bullying and discrimination
Safe from crime and anti-social behaviour in and out of school
Have security, stability and are cared for
Parents, carers and families provide safe homes and stability
Ready for school Attend and enjoy school
Achieve stretching national educational standards at primary school
Achieve personal and social development and enjoy recreation
Achieve stretching national educational standards at secondary school
Parents, carers and families support learning
Engage in decision-making and support the community and environment
Engage in law-abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school
Develop a positive relationship and choose not to bully and discriminate
Develop self confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges
Develop enterprising behaviour
Parents, carers and families promote positive behaviour
Engage in further education, employment or training on leaving school
Ready for employment Live in decent homes and
sustainable communities Access to transport and
material goods Live in households free of
low income Parents, carers and families
are supported to be economically active
Outcomes – Lledr Hall OEC
Children and young people
develop greater self-awareness and respect
participate in healthy physical activity
know more about the benefits of physical fitness and the lifelong value of participating in healthy leisure activities
develop respect, tolerance and empathy in relationships
understand the benefits of healthy eating
Children and young people
develop greater self-awareness and self-respect
adopt a positive attitude to challenge and adventure
develop the ability to manage risk
demonstrate: (i) improved self-reliance (ii) increased initiative (iii) greater responsibility (iv) more perseverance (v) more commitment
Children and young people
enjoy participating in activities acquire a range of activity skills develop greater self-awareness develop values including
respect, responsibility and commitment
develop and extend their key skills: (i) communication (ii) problem solving (iii) leadership (iv) teamwork
show an increased motivation and appetite for learning
raise their attainment in other aspects of their education
broaden their cultural, aesthetic and spiritual awareness
Children and young people
develop awareness of and respect for other people and the environment
develop pro-social attitudes, responsibility and commitment
develop and extend their key skills: (i) communication (ii) problem solving (iii) leadership (iv) teamwork
better understand the importance of conservation and sustainability
Children and young people
raise their attainment in other aspects of their education
demonstrate: (i) improved self-reliance (ii) increased initiative & enterprise (iii) greater responsibility (iv) more perseverance (v) more commitment
develop and extend their key skills: (i) communication (ii) problem solving (iii) leadership (iv) teamwork
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Providing a high quality residential Outdoor Education Service to the city of Salford, its communities and schools.
Lledr Hall OEC staffing structure 2011-2012.
Gardener
Contracted out
[staff name
redacted]
Site officer
FT SCP 3
Vacant
Cleaner
SCP 5 18 hrs 0.54 FTE
[staff name redacted]
Teacher (Supply)
95 Days [Staff names
redacted]
Head of outdoor education service
Strategic responsibility for outdoor education
Alistair D. Cook
Cleaner
SCP 5 18 hrs 0.54 FTE
[staff name redacted]
Asst. cook
SCP 5 0.67 FTE
[staff name redacted]
Secretary
SCP 3 0.5 FTE
[staff name redacted]
Deputy Head of centre
Operational responsibilities for OAA’s at LHOEC
Graham Burns
Teacher M3
190 Days
[Staff name redacted]
Teacher M6
190 Days
[staff name redacted]
Teacher M3
190 Days
[staff name redacted]
Head of Domestic Service
FT SCP10
Head of domestic service
FT SCP 10 [staff name redacted]
Asst. Cook/Cleaner
SCP 5 FT
Asst. cook / cleaner
SCP 5 FT [staff name redacted]
Cleaner
SCP 5 18 hrs 0.54 FTE
[staff name redacted]
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Activities
Lledr Hall OEC is licensed to provide the following specified activities.
Kayaking
Open boating
Paddle surfing
Improvised rafting
Rock climbing
Abseiling
Sea level traversing
Gorge walking
Hill walking and mountaineering
Off-road cycling
Mine exploration
The centre also provides the following activities which are out-of-scope, but which are declared to AALA and follow the same risk management procedures as the licensable
activities:
Field studies
Problem solving
Low and high ropes courses
Board surfing
Orienteering
Night line
Night walking
Open water swimming
Camping / bivouacking
[Pictures of individual children removed – Personal Information (S40(2))]
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Additional accreditation awards gained
The Outdoor Education Service was inspected in February 2012 and gained three awards in addition to its AALA Licence;
The Quality Badge, awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
The AHOEC Gold Standard
Adventuremark
The LOtC Quality Badge provides a national award combining the essential
elements of provision - learning and safety - into one easily recognisable and trusted accreditation scheme for all types of learning outside the
classroom provider organisation catering to children and young people throughout the UK. The scheme is managed and developed by the Council
for Learning Outside the Classroom.
There are benefits of the LOtC Quality Badge for children and schools. By holding the award LHOEC is reducing the ‘red tape’ associated with
learning outside the classroom, making it easier for teachers to organise bringing groups to Lledr Hall. This is in the hope that this increases the
likelihood of Salford young people having the opportunity to have wider educational experiences which directly benefit their educational attainment and social and emotional development.
AHOEC Gold Standard takes the LOtC Quality Badge and extends it to a higher
standard.
LHOEC was assessed against the following inclusive criteria: Customer Care,
Safety Management, Policy Organising and Planning, Facilities, Environmental Sustainability, Quality Assurance and Performance.
Adventuremark is a non-statutory safety scheme devised, at the government’s
request, by the Adventure Activity Industry Advisory Committee for providers of adventurous activities that are outside the scope of the Adventurous Activities Licensing regulations.
By gaining this award Lledr Hall has confirmed that it has in place arrangements for managing the potential risks of adventure activities.
These have been externally inspected and has been found to meet the necessary standards of good practice.
The Award applies to all adventure activities and to all age groups in England, Scotland and Wales.
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What makes the Outdoor Education Service so special? It’s inclusivity.
Driven by a belief that all young people should experience learning outdoors by participating
in a course at Lledr Hall OEC, the Outdoor Education Service, supported by the City council, has continued to go the extra mile to ensure that this is a reality for all Salford pupils, especially those who are particularly vulnerable.
Throughout the period of this report Centre staff have consistently applied this inclusive policy.
In financial terms this approach requires the Outdoor Education Service to incur significant costs as it involves a considerable amount of staff time during the pre-course liaison period
as well as during the actual course delivery phase which typically also requires additional staff and the use of specialist resources.
This is necessary to ensure that personal care plans, personal evacuation plans and participation plans are all in place so that the young people concerned have an enjoyable course and are challenged appropriately whilst they participate in the outdoor adventurous
course programme.
There are risks, both financial and physical, inherent in this approach. But, with the application of a Risk-Benefit-Assessment process, the long-term benefits for the
individual pupils can be identified as being so positive that to fail to adopt such an approach would serve only to reduce their aspirations and achievement.
It is wholly appropriate that the Outdoor Education Service operates in this way, as it ensures that, unlike the course products offered by many commercial adventure activity providers, each participant at Lledr Hall has an agreed individual learning plan to guide their
learning, ensuring that their learning outcomes are maximised.
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Equality and Diversity
At Lledr Hall we have a total of 15 full, part time and supply staff members. There is a mix of
both Welsh and English speakers. We have four members of staff who speak Welsh as a first language, three who are bilingual and three who have attended Welsh lessons to differing levels.
Five members of staff are male and ten are female. One member of staff has been trained as Equality Advocate and following this, a meeting held to ensure all members of staff knew what
this entailed. The Equality Advocate is the first port of call if a member of staff feels that they are being treated unfairly or if they require further information on a variety of related topics or support group assistance.
The Equality and Diversity newsletter produced by the Salford team is displayed on the office notice board giving information about current issues.
Lledr Hall implements an Access All Areas policy to make sure that everyone who wishes to attend a course has that opportunity. When the new wing was constructed, features were
included to ensure this was possible. These features include lifts, open access shower, a companion bed, toilet suitable for people with disabilities and nappy changing facilities for those
of all sizes. Activities are adapted to include all participants as fully as possible. In the planning and
arranging of a course, the issue of anyone with special needs is raised. Those needs may vary from minor dietary requirements to accommodating someone with profound disabilities. These are all discussed and if necessary, parents, care workers, medical professionals and
accompanying staff are involved in the planning and preparation of a course. Emergency action plans are given to the local Ambulance Service when appropriate. The goal
is to maximise inclusion and this requires that Lledr Hall staff attend meetings in Salford and provide additional staff to run activity sessions, with this cost being borne by the Outdoor Education Service.
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The Booth Charities Report by Graham Burns Deputy Head of Centre - Operations manager
During the financial year 2011-12 the support provided by the Booth’s Charities enabled us to make equipment purchases across the range of activities we deliver. This ensures that all the equipment is maintained at the highest standard possible ensuring safe activity provision while
presenting no barrier to course objective achievement.
We give everyone who comes to the Centre a set of initial issue gear that includes boots, waterproofs, rucksack and a helmet. This year’s replacement items in this department totalled £2450.
The watersports equipment covers a wide range of activities including kayaking, canoeing, gorge-walking and surfing. Inevitably this means the equipment is specialised and used
frequently in season. Buoyancy aids are manufactured to a European standard that require an annual flotation test which identifies any that need replacing. We spent £879 to maintain the equipment in this area.
Purchases of £816 were required to make sure all our climbing equipment, from karabiners to helmets, met industry standards as set out by our activity licence.
We identified that the lobby area as you enter the Centre needed a focal point. We have chosen a photograph of our local mountain, Moel Siabod, in summertime, with the Centre’s tag line
across the bottom. We also had some posters made up and framed of pictures from our archive that serve to inspire and motivate course participants while they are in residence. The total
amount spent here was £1147. We started mountain biking at Lledr Hall in 2006 and purchased a fleet of bikes and trailer with
assistance from the Booth’s Charities. This activity is very popular and transfers well back to the home environment. I plan to gradually replace a few bikes each year to maintain the stock in good order and this year we replaced two at a cost of £840.
The largest single cost in this financial year was met to upgrade the paths in the grounds that access the glade high ropes, the nightline and part of the Jungle Gym. These areas are used by
almost all groups that come to the Centre at some time or another and therefore see a high footfall with subsequent damage and erosion to the ground. The new paths will mean that access to these parts of the grounds is secured far into the future. The total cost of this work
was £4,012.
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Healthy eating Report by [staff name redacted] Head of catering and domestic services
The Centre’s catering service was inspected by the food standards agency on 12th July 2011 and achieved the highest award of Level 5 ‘Very Good’ in the Food Hygiene Rating scheme.
Lledr Hall is committed to providing a balanced and nutritious diet, essential for providing the energy needed for the growth and development and improved concentration and behaviour
of young people.
All the nationally identified healthy eating recommendations have been adopted by Lledr Hall. These include;
Improved recipes to reduce fat, salt and sugar and increase fibre, fruit and vegetables, whilst keeping meals appealing to children.
Providing a balanced diet with plenty of variety.
Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which are cooked on-site each day.
Special dietary requirements catered for.
Fresh fruit, salad and vegetables provided daily.
Drinking water, fresh milk and fruit juice available each day.
Increased inclusion of high fibre foods.
We have a ‘no sweets’ policy. This prevents young people from grazing on high sugar snacks during their course.
The Lledr Hall catering service is constantly seeking to make further improvements to its service delivery.
As a residential course provider, we are aware of the importance of providing sufficient nutrition for a five day residential course which involves young people participating in
challenging outdoor adventurous activities.
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Eco Centres
Report by [staff name redacted] Eco co-ordinator
Lledr Hall has proudly had Eco Centres status for twelve months now and we are pleased to say that the centre, the grounds and the staff are all taking the eco way of life as the
norm. As part of your course at Lledr Hall all groups are asked to recycle,
compost and save electricity where possible. School activity groups are given a duty during their stay at the centre and these duty groups consist of an eco-team.
The eco team is responsible for taking lunch compost to the outside compost bins and emptying the plastic recycling from the kitchen into
the external bins. At the end of a course pupils also help with all the internal recycling ready for collection by the site officer or the council.
It has become very noticeable that groups now see recycling and composting at Lledr Hall as a normal part of centre life and they take pride in their duty jobs.
Our recycling points within the building have been revamped and we now have colour
coded internal bins at two different locations within the building for Paper, Plastic, Card and Cans.
We have also introduced Plastic recycling bins in the kitchen and now have an external recycling point that is filled by groups on the last day of their course for collection.
Conwy Borough Council collects our plastic and card waste on a fortnightly basis and due to our volume of recycling and composting
we have been able to reduce our general waste bins from 2 x 660ltr bins to 1 x 660ltr bin and 1 x 240ltr overspill bin.
Being an eco-centre is not just about recycling, composting and saving energy but also about developing and conserving the building and grounds.
We have had the paths within the low ropes course and up to the high ropes course improved to reduce the effects of
erosion and we now have a new gate down to the river to improve boat movement to and from trailers.
It also allows groups to move more freely from the garden to the river on
activities.
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Budget analysis 11-12
Council contribution
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Salford user groups - Electoral wards 11-12
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User groups list by electoral ward 2011-2012
User groups Apr 11 – Mar 12
Ward Ward
C/o Albion High (The) Community Lower Kersal Kersal
All Hallows RC High Seedley [Individual Name redacted]
Community
Brentwood External Marlborough Road Broughton
Bridgewater Walkden N. Mesne Lea Walkden S.
Broadoak Worsley Monton Green Eccles
Chatsworth High Eccles Moorfield Irlam
Christ the King RC Walkden S. Moorside High Swinton N.
Clarendon Road Eccles [Individual Name redacted]
Community
Clifton Swinton N. Oasis Academy Seedley
Duke of Edinburgh Award External St Andrew's CE Boothstown
Dukesgate Little Hulton St Andrew's Methodist Little Hulton
Ellenbrook Ellenbrook St Boniface RC Broughton
Fiddlers Lane Irlam St Edmund's RC Walkden N.
Fight For Change Council Community St George's CE Irwell
Riverside
Finance INSET St John’s CE Claremont
Firwood Manor Prep External St Luke’s RC Claremont
Friars (The) Irwell Riverside St Mark's RC (Clifton) Pendlebury
Godfrey Ermen Memorial CE Barton St Paul’s CE (Cross Lane) Langworthy
Grappenhall Heys External St Paul's CE (Nevile Rd) Kersal
Grosvenor Road Swinton S. St Philips CE Ordsall
Hilton Lane Little Hulton St Teresa’s RC Cadishead
Holy Cross & All Saints RC Barton [Individual Name redacted]
Community
Irlam Irlam Summerville Irwell
Riverside
[Individual Name Redacted] Walkden S. [Individual Name
redacted] Community
[Individual Name redacted] Community Willow Tree Langworthy
[Individual Name redacted] External Willow Tree Staff INSET
Lady Bridge External Wharton Little Hulton
Lark Hill Langworthy Winton Junior F.C. Community
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Income from user groups 11-12
Lledr Hall user groups 11-12
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End of report summary statement.
The evidence indicating that participation in a course at Lledr Hall OEC offers unique opportunities to extend the potential of young people is so compelling that it is now un-contestable.
Young people learn in context and through experience and place. Therefore, their learning environment needs to offer different and challenging experiences to stimulate their
learning and development, like those used at Lledr Hall. As one looks to the future, and the challenges facing young Salfordians, they’ll need
access to real-world learning opportunities to develop the values they’ll need if they are to lead sustainable lives and these can be successfully developed at a formative stage by attending a course at Lledr Hall.
This outdoor learning is not, and should not be, an end in itself, but should be embedded in the curriculum of every Salford school.
If we want all Salford young people to become confident, responsible, effective and,
above all, successful learners, and if we know the power of outdoor education as a teaching and learning method, then we must continue to energise outdoor learning by taking a number of important steps:
• Reinforce and promote the uniqueness of real-world learning at Lledr Hall in all Salford
schools by ensuring that they see the possibilities and are informed of good practice in
terms of supporting improved attainment, and providing appropriate planned opportunities for wider achievement.
• Stress the considerable benefits of outdoor learning as opposed to the dis-proportionate emphasis on risk and to recognise the extent to which any such risk can be effectively managed.
This is now the time to develop the partnerships necessary at school, local authority, community and national level to overcome the barriers outlined in this report and sustain
the outdoor learning opportunities provided by Lledr Hall for all Salford’s children and young people.
End of report.
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Lledr Hall Outdoor Education Centre
Children’s Services
Pont y Pant, Dolwyddelan, Conwy, LL25 0PJ
Phone 01690 750214
Fax 01690 750558
Email [email protected]
Web www.salford.gov.uk/lledrhall
Providing a high quality residential outdoor education service to the city of Salford
Correspondence from people who have visited Lledr Hall.
[Letters removed as identifies individuals who having written directly to the Centre, would not expect correspondence published – Exemption S40(2) Personal Information]