SAFL Tailored Learning 2025/2026

The Council wishes to invite applications for funding for the Adult Skills Programme from providers with a proven track record and, where applicable, an Ofsted rating of Good or Outstanding (see provider requirements and eligibility below).

The contract and timescale for delivery will cover learners enrolling and undertaking learning from 1st August 2025 to 30th June 2026. Delivery of provision must be completed by 30th June 2026.

Programmes are to be targeted at adults (aged over 19 on 31st August 2025) from one or more of the following groups:

? Adults who are unemployed. ? Adults who have been made recently redundant. ? Adults with no or low qualifications. ? Adults with low skills and no skills and who would benefit from taking a first step back into structured education and training. ? Adults with enduring mental ill health. ? Carers. ? Homeless adults and adults living in hostel accommodation. ? Adults with learning difficulties/disabilities. ? Adults from ethnic minority groups. ? Male adults. ? Younger adults, aged 19 to 24 years. ? Older adults (usually 50+) who missed out on education when they were younger for various reasons. ? Newcomers into Sandwell facing specific barriers and experiencing significant disadvantages, reflecting local needs.

Courses should:

? Have clear learning aims that will result in adults being better prepared to move on to further learning, work or volunteering. ? Be delivered by tutors with appropriate subject qualifications who hold a minimum of a level 3 Award in Education and Training or equivalent. ? Address local needs. ? Address one or more of the Sandwell Adult and Family Learning Service commissioning priorities outlined in Annex A of the attached specification. ? Be delivered between 1st August 2025 and 30th June 2026.

We expect activities to be in response to local needs and to deliver community-based learning activities. We expect to commission a range of providers to access different groups of learners in different areas of Sandwell who can produce high levels of positive progressions into further learning and/or employment