Basic Skills Policy

• Demonstrate respect and sensitivity to all individuals approaching the service.
• Widen participation by targeting under-represented groups
• Develop Skills For Life provision
• Work in partnership with other groups
• Meet the needs of learners and tutors
• Continuously improve the quality of the service we provide
• Ensure staff have appropriate Skills For Life training

• Work in partnership with public, voluntary and private sector organisations to improve the skills level of Kirklees' residents.
• Work equally with all Skills for Life providers by offering the same levels of support and resources to all.
• Be responsive to local needs and conditions.

• To hold courses, meetings etc.

• Appropriate for all levels and for use by individuals, practitioners or groups
• Ensure stock and resources are relevant, attractive and accessible.

• Impartial, up-to-date information will be provided on support, resources and available training.

• Computers, and access to appropriate online Skills for Life support.

• Provide all our staff with relevant training to enable them to identify users with a Skills For Life need
• Provide additional training where appropriate to drive the development of innovative ways of meeting the Skills For Life agenda
• Ensure staff maintain an awareness of the range of support and training available to people with Skills For Life needs
• Encourage staff to work in partnership with appropriate groups and organisations.

• Increase access and widen participation for all ages by networking with relevant individuals and organisations.
• Provide support, resources and signposting to individuals, partners and practitioners or organisations.
• Provide collections of resources to loan to practitioners for use with students.
• Ensure that library staff provide supported access to library services for individuals and/or groups.

• Make our resources and services available and relevant to everyone who wishes to make use of them.
• Provide high quality resources specifically published for a Skills For Life audience.
• Provide Open Learning and online learning opportunities.
• Increase access and support through technology.
• Work with our partners to develop resources and strategies to encourage library usage and improve skills.
• Ensure staff maintain an awareness of published Skills For Life resources.
• Ensure information regarding support, training and innovation is disseminated.

• Ensure information on library resources, services and facilities is made available to all appropriate individuals, organisations and practitioners.
• Visit practitioners to show the range of resources available and to discuss the needs of individuals/groups.
• Use plain English when developing marketing and promotional literature. Material will be made available in a variety of formats including translation to other languages where possible.
• Promote the benefits of the library service to emergent readers.
• Promote the benefits of reading for pleasure.
• Explore alternative sources of funding in order to extend work with specific groups.

• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of specialist stock, specific events, initiatives and projects and use this information to continuously improve the service we offer.