UK Guidance Policy Forum progress report

UK Guidance Policy Forum Project

Progress report January 2006.

1 Staffing Changes

Anne Parkinson, the UK project co-ordinator, left at the end of August 2005 to take up a new job. The Guidance Council no longer employs staff directly and the necessary staff time is bought through secondments from NIACE. Helen Plant is now the project co-ordinator, working closely with Judy Alloway, the chair of the Steering Group. The year old alliance between NIACE and the Guidance Council has resulted in NIACE involvement in other guidance related projects and Helen is also working on these, providing a useful continuity. Inevitably the staff changes have slowed the momentum of the work. However the project is now back on track and Helen's research skills are most appropriate to the current phase of the work.

2 Consultation in Scotland .

Careers Scotland worked with the Guidance Council to organise four consultation events in Scotland during August 2005. Rocket Science were engaged to facilitate discussions at these events and their summary report on feedback at the events is attached at appendix 1. One hundred and fifty people took part in the events, drawn from the community guidance groups who have been working with Careers Scotland to develop community guidance plans

At the end of each event participants were asked if, given the limited amount of information they had on a forum at this point, they could support the idea. There was almost unanimous support, with only a handful of people feeling they could not respond without answers to their immediate concerns.

A number of common themes emerged from the four days and more detail is given in the appendix.

These events, together with material from the earlier consultation, have provided the impetus for the three research exercises described below and contributed to thinking about the strategic plan for a forum.

3 The European Partnership

The European project co-ordinators have now met three times. As project promoter, the UK chairs the group. However it is a partnership approach. Estonia is leading on 'developing a good practice guide on effective collaboration between different sectors, and Malta on project objective 4, 'addressing specific challenges for developing guidance policy in the context of small states '. Both of these areas of work are at an early stage. Slovenia hosted and took a lead role in the organisation of the transnational project conference in Bled in December.

At the third co-ordinators meeting, held immediately prior to the conference in Slovenia, co - ordinators completed preparations for the conference, discussed and agreed actions arising from the interim external evaluators report and agreed a timetable for project completion.

Most importantly, the co ordinators have now met up with representatives from the parallel Joint Actions project, led by Austria and including the Czech Republic , Finland , France , Germany and Poland . It is hoped to keep in touch on a regular basis as the work continues.

4 The Project Conference

The project conference took place in Bled , Slovenia on 9 Dec. 2005 . There were 170 participants of whom 15% were from outside Slovenia . The day opened with a welcome on behalf of the Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs and included a brief input on behalf of the Commission by John McCarthy and a key note address by Tony Watts. The project co ordinators reported on the development of fora across the project, the different models emerging, critical factors for success, the obstacles faced and the European network added value to date. The Austrian led project was also on the programme. There were three workshops in the afternoon led by Denmark , Estonia and the UK . Helen Plant's workshop considered the involvement of guidance service users. A conference report will be available shortly.

It was noted in the concluding remarks that there was a clear agreement that the individual/user/client must be the focus of the work of national forums. In addition, participants were calling for a unified, but not a uniform, vision of guidance, in which local and/or regional models might be as important as national /European ones. It was also noted that those groups developing fora are setting out on a journey of discovery and need to be very open to learning about the most reliable and efficient mechanisms for supporting the development of lifelong and lifewide guidance.

5 European Developments

Each of the six partner countries is at a different starting point and they are taking different approaches to forum development:

• Raising awareness, Estonia , Malta , UK
• Consultation, UK , Ireland
• Setting up project steering or initiative groups UK , Estonia , Slovenia
• Developing existing forums, Denmark , Ireland , Malta
• Mapping existing umbrella organisations UK , Estonia
• Obtaining cross ministry support Slovenia , Ireland , UK
• Close working links to current policy development eg Ireland, Slovenia

The Slovenian Ministry for Labour, Family and Social Affairs gave a public commitment to the development of a forum at the December conference.

Judy Alloway was invited to attend the last meeting of the European Commission's Expert Group on Lifelong Guidance in November, to give a brief presentation on this project. Peter Hartel gave a similar presentation on the Austrian led project. The UK paper, which focussed on achievements and critical success factors, is attached at appendix 2.

The Commission recognises the fragility of guidance policy and systems development at national level, and the fact that this is due largely to the fragmentation of the guidance sector. The intention is that national developments will be supported and encouraged by robust structures and mechanisms at European level. Currently, the Commission is looking at funding a guidance policy network from the 2007 Lifelong Learning Programme. It is proposed that in 2006 the Expert Group and other relevant sub-groups will meet to define the nature of such a network, decide which country is to manage it, garner support from other nations, define its remit, etc.

6 Research issues

A number of research issues have arisen from the UK consultation and are being taken forward through three small research projects.

i. Involving guidance service users in policy development. This is one of the UK strands under the original project specification. A workshop on the theme was hosted by the UK at December's transnational conference and a paper has been drafted with a view to publication. Work is currently taking place to gather case studies of existing practice in this area (including discussions with Irish project colleagues on their experiences of user consultation in their national guidance policy forum) to support the findings of desk research.

ii. Codes of principles. One of the aims of the project is to consider the viability of developing a transnational code of principles that will be applicable across all project partners. As a contribution towards this discussion, we are exploring what codes are currently in use in the UK and mapping these against the European common reference tools developed by the Expert Group. Work has been carried out on codes used in England, and those applied elsewhere in the UK are to be considered.

iii. Mapping the UK guidance sector. Guidance is not a single system, but a collection of disparate sub systems including for example, services in schools, further and higher education, public employment services, in the private and voluntary sectors, and in the workplace. Each of these services is a minor part of some wider different system with its own rationale and driving force. In addition a wide range of organisations have been founded to support the different parts of this service. The OECD review brought these different services together and viewed them as parts of a whole. Their argument was that from the lifelong perspective of the individual it is important that the different systems are as seamless as possible. This work will explore who are the 'stakeholders' in the lifelong guidance sector - whom they represent, what their aims and objectives are, what they do, and so on. Some preliminary desk research has been carried out which will be developed through interviews and discussions.

7 Developing a strategic plan for a forum

The following points were identified, at the last meeting of the Project Steering Group, to be considered in the initial drafting of the plan. They have been drawn from discussions with Steering Group members, the consultation and from material from the Home Internationals Group.

· Stakeholders want a top level UK group. Such a group could operate alongside home country networks. The latter might address issues of concern at UK level and deal with national questions. The initial step should be to establish the UK level group.

· The overall purpose, at a UK level, is to create a mechanism, which enables the four home countries to work together to make speedy and practical progress on issues of common concern.

· The two main objectives of such a group might be to establish mechanisms to facilitate sharing of information/practice and for carrying out joint activities, bi or multilateral. Developing a research culture to underpin evidence based policy making is essential.

· A more informal structure would allow experimentation and further development as appropriate

· The forum structure would be small, tight and strategic.

· Broader consultation could take place at a home country level. This infers the development of a rigorous communications mechanism to ensure that views are heard at all levels.

· Ownership by all four home countries is a crucial factor. This would be fostered through an effective communications strategy

· Some level of secretariat funding is essential.

· Then development of a forum should be based on existing structures as much as possible. The Guidance Council could provide a viable structure on which to locate the forum in the first instance

· A strong review strategy must be part of the initial plan

The Steering Group will be developing the draft plan over February and March, 2006. A wider consultation will take place from the end of April to mid June.

For further information, to make comments on this report, or for any other related enquiries please contact Helen Plant at: helen.plant@niace.org.uk

APPENDIX 1

UK Guidance Policy Forum Consultation

Note from the programme of Scottish consultation events

Organised by Careers Scotland

September 2005

1. Introduction and background

The Guidance Council is leading a successful bid from six countries, [Denmark, Estonia, Malta, Slovenia, Ireland, and UK] to research and evaluate potential models for national guidance policy forums. This EC funding provides the UK with a two-year opportunity to consult with policymakers, and other stakeholders on what has been learnt so far from the UK experience and how that learning can be translated into (potentially) new arrangements that meet the policy priorities of all four UK countries.

As part of the on-going consultation process Careers Scotland worked with the Guidance Council to organise the delivery of four consultation events in Scotland. Rocket Science were engaged to facilitate discussions at each event and to compile a final report on the feedback received for the Guidance Council.

Four consultation events across the Careers Scotland Scottish Enterprise area in :

• Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian
• East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire
• Paisley, Renfrewshire
• Dundee

A wide range of stakeholders in guidance work were invited to each of these events and a total of one hundred and fifty people participated in the consultation programme.

This paper presents a summary of the key responses and issues identified by stakeholders at all four events. A separate note was produced for each individual consultation session and they are attached as appendices to the summary paper.

2. Summary of the consultation responses

The common themes arising from the four consultation events on the UK Guidance Policy Forum are presented below in terms of: the changing context in which a Forum will sit; the potential role a Forum may have; comments on a potential structure of a Forum; key aspirations for what a Forum could achieve; and some common concerns identified by participants.

The Changing Context

• There is a growing emphasis on cross-sector and inter-agency partnership working and this has benefits for guidance clients as services are delivered in an increasingly joined-up and coherent way.

• The growth of the European Union will lead to increasing workforce migration and there will consequently be a greater need for guidance on issues such as languages and skill compatibility.

• The fast-moving labour market means there is no longer a 'job-for-life' and the workforce will need more be more adaptable and flexible; re-skilling and up-skilling when necessary.

• Issues such as longer lifespans, concerns surrounding pensions, increasing retirement ages and less people of working age will result in people working longer and there will be a need for the older population to receive guidance.

• The employability agenda is focusing on reaching those who are most inactive in the labour market, especially those on incapacity benefits.

• Community Planning is a key structure in Scotland but it is not yet clear where guidance fits.

• Future restructuring of Local Authorities may have an impact on guidance services.

• The future of funding for many guidance projects is unclear with the cessation of European funding and changes to lottery funds.

• Technological advances bring both opportunities and threats. New communication methods (such as texting and online forums) will make communication easier with clients and may facilitate information sharing between professionals, however access to IT is still not universal and is compounded by pre-existing literacy difficulties. The increasingly cluttered landscape of 'online guidance' makes it difficult for both clients and practitioners to access the right information.

Potential Role of a UK Guidance Policy Forum

• The Forum should bring together the diversity of the guidance sector by being a single focal point, communicating with clarity of message and shaping the long-term direction of travel.

• The Forum should be a 'champion' for guidance; influencing policy makers and making them aware of the value of guidance beyond immediate economic agendas.

• The Forum should be the voice of the guidance sector in a rapidly changing policy environment, ensuring that support is provided in adequate time to implement new policies.

• The Forum should have an important role in communicating key messages, including:
• Interpreting policy at the European level and making people aware of its implications at national and local levels;
• Communicating policy from a national level to organisations and practitioners and providing advice on implementation;
• Marketing guidance to the public and making them aware of its benefits.
• The Forum should facilitate discussion across government departments ensuring that the policies which impact on guidance are joined-up, coherent and avoid gaps and duplication.
• The Forum should promote, to policy makers and the public, that guidance is something to be taken advantage of throughout life.
• The Forum should promote good practice and increase standards in terms of staff training, client engagement and impact evaluation.
• The Forum should stimulate engagement with employers, giving them a stronger voice on guidance issues and helping them to understand workforce development.

Structure of a UK Guidance Policy Forum

• The Forum must be managed effectively with a sufficiently small group of representatives at the top level so that it can effectively represent the views of many without being unwieldy or issuing multifarious messages.
• There must be clear structures in place to allow the views of practitioners and clients to feed upwards to the Forum to ensure that policy is created with the aim of making a real difference on the ground.
• The Forum must pass information to local areas at the right level, ensuring it is relevant and accessible.
• Representation from employers and industry should be critical to the success of the Forum.
• The identified needs of clients should be the guiding principle of the Forum.

Aspirations for a UK Guidance Policy Forum

• The Forum will raise the profile and promote the value of guidance to both clients and policy makers alike.
• The Forum will ensure policy makers are aware of how guidance impacts on a wide variety of policy agendas.
• The Forum will be the first port of call for policy makers needing objective analysis and experience from the front line.
• The Forum will have helped to ensure that workable policies have been created that have achieved effective practice.
• The Forum will be gathering and communicating high quality research findings on impact and difference made to clients through effective guidance.
• The Forum will have stimulated a greater number and diversity of people to take advantage of guidance services.
• End users will notice a difference in the quality of services they receive.

Key Concerns

The common concerns and pitfalls to avoid surrounding the establishment of a UK Guidance Policy Forum included:

• The Forum may not take account of the differences between countries and assume that a 'one-size fits all' solution may be found;
• The Forum may overlap with and duplicate the work of existing organisations and networks;
• The Forum may have a bias towards the Westminster agenda and the needs of the biggest partners;
• The Forum may be expensive and difficult to manage effectively;
• The Forum must link to the devolved administrations appropriately.

APPENDIX 2

Developing National Guidance Forums in Six Member States

MEDSUI

Malta, Estonia, Denmark, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

An interim report for the Expert Group on Lifelong Guidance ,

1.0 The MEDSUI Project

1.1 The Joint Actions Programme 2004 was intended to support projects, which developed European networks of national guidance forums.

The Guidance Council, UK, working with five partners; Denmark, Estonia, Slovenia, Malta and the Republic of Ireland, led a successful bid for this funding. The overall aim was to build a part of the European network by developing a strategic plan for a Forum in each participating country. The project runs from 1/10/2004 - 30/09/2006. Each partner has appointed a project co-ordinator, all of whom have now met twice, in the UK and in Dublin, with a further meeting planned to coincide with a trans national conference, led by the project, in Slovenia in December. Colleagues in the other Joint Call project, led by Austria, have been asked to join us for the last part of this meeting and to take part in the conference. There are several issues to discuss with colleagues and it could be said that a European network is already beginning to emerge, in terms of mutual learning and support through shared practice.

1.2 The Project Objectives are to:

• identify the pros and cons of different models of national fora
• seek sustainable and mutually beneficial processes between stakeholders, social partners and governments
• identify and exchange good practice in promoting citizen /user involvement in the development of guidance policy
• address specific challenges for developing guidance policy in the context of small states and regions
• exchange information on good practice with the participating trans national partners
• make recommendations on how national fora can support European Union wide developments in guidance policy and how these might promote developments in quality assurance for guidance
• establish a communications platform for national fora within the Euroguidance network [Careers Europe]
• produce strategic plans for each national forum by the end of the project

1.3 The key outcome for the project is the development of strategic plans for national guidance forums in each country. It should be emphasised that this is a project and each country may make different decisions on whether to go ahead with a forum after the project is finished and, on how it might be structured.

1.4 The project promoter is the UK, but within the project Estonia is leading on 'developing a good practice guide on effective communication and collaboration between different sectors, based on examples from partner countries' and Malta on objective 4, 'addressing specific challenges for developing guidance policy in the context of small states and regions'. Malta's work will be carried out with Slovenia and Estonia from within the partnership and Cyprus and Luxembourg outside it. Neither of these areas of work is yet beyond the planning stage. Slovenia is both hosting and leading the planning of the trans national conference, further information attached.

2.0 Different Starting Points.

2.1 Each of the six countries is at a different starting point. Denmark, Ireland and Malta have a forum in place and are using the project to develop further. This experience is of great value to other partners and Denmark in particular has much to offer. Denmark has a long history of different cross sectoral linkages dating back to the sixties and national bodies have been in place for over 20 years.

2.2 Within the project Denmark commissioned Dr. Peter Plant to produce a analysis entitled 'National Guidance Fora - the Danish Case' March 2005, which compares two forum models, the Danish National Council for Educational and Vocational Guidance, [ RUE, Raadet for Uddannelses - og Erhverevsveijledning] which ran from 1981-2003 and the new Danish National Forum for Dialogue in Educational and Vocational guidance, which was established in 2004. RUE was a public publishing unit and had a public guidance policy making role, that is taking guidance related initiatives and following and commenting on relevant legislation. Dr Plant notes that to some extent RUE was a focal point for guidance in Denmark, producing high quality, free information, which was very important pre the internet. However he points out that RUE was not involved when the interests and power of involved ministries were concerned. When it came to legislation RUE was just another body to be consulted.

The new role of the new Danish National Forum for Dialogue in Educational and Vocational Guidance is to discuss all matters in relation to guidance. This is perhaps a less distinct role in terms of policy making, but it may play a more inspirational role. For instance the new forum has opening a renewed debate on Danish Ethical Guidelines for Educational and Vocational Guidance. The new forum is much more a discussion platform than a policy making body. It has 28 members, many of whom are appointed on a personal rather than an organisational basis. Most of the discussions at the Forum are initiated by the Ministry of Education. Some issues are then backed by a theme related issue of a professional guidance journal. Otherwise the forum does not publish minutes or agendas.

Under RUE, Regional Guidance Committees mirrored the national structure. Now

the seven regional guidance units in Denmark have an incentive in their contracts to form some kind of regional dialogue group, though they are not obliged to. Most have and there seems to be potential for interesting cross sectoral developments at regional level.

2.3 Ireland convened a working party to begin preparations for a national guidance forum in August 2003. The first meeting of the new forum was held in June 2004 . There are 32 members from the labour market and education. The Irish forum has developed a common vision, an agreed definition of guidance, agreed objectives, and a workplan. Four sub committees are established and are developing: a draft framework for quality assurance in guidance; a draft framework for competence for guidance practitioners; a scoping paper on guidance in Ireland and an action plan for a consultative process with a wider group of stakeholders The latter group has appointed a researcher to undertake the consultative process working in conjunction with the Irish Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.

2.4 The Maltese Forum first met in 2004. Forum meetings involve a core group of stakeholders and meetings are being held with others to widen membership. The main objective of the forum is to address gaps and weaknesses in the sector focussing on set projects involving the main stakeholders.

2.5 Estonia has identified a project steering group and is raising awareness among other stakeholders in order to establish a wide sense of ownership of a potential forum. Discussions have taken place from an early stage with the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Estonia will to hold a national conference around their strategic plan in August 2006, following a long period of awareness raising.

2.6 Slovenia has established a National Forum Initiative Group and is liasing closely with an interministerial team responsible for planning the development of lifelong learning centres and career centres. Slovenia will launch its Forum, as a part of this Project's trans national conference, in Bled on Dec 9 this year.

2.7 The UK was identified by the OECD as having existing examples of good practice in supporting the development of coherent guidance policy. The Guidance Council, which leads this project is one example. The Council is a membership organisation, established 12 years ago, to bring together organisations concerned with securing access to effective guidance to people of all ages across the UK. The Council has made substantive contributions to public policy goals, especially in the area of quality standards, and the founding vision remains impressive. However the Council's business model failed and the Council no longer employs staff directly. The Council, while still maintaining it legal identity, has entered into an alliance with another charity, the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education, NIACE, which has a compatible ethos and purpose. The Council is able to buy in services eg. finance and IT support, from NIACE and remaining contract work is delivered with the help of NIACE staff. The Council will now limit its activities to providing an occasional forum at which stakeholders in guidance and the wider public can come together to advance the Council's educational and promotional aims. Activity is now heavily reliant on the voluntary commitment of its Trustees and members.

2.8 The UK has established a steering group for the Joint Actions project and has completed an initial consultation carried out by emailed questionnaire, additional seminars in England and consultation meetings in Scotland. The consultation has provided a rich source of data for the Steering Group, which has led to 3 specific areas of further research: mapping and clarifying the role and purpose of relevant existing umbrella bodies across the UK ; reviewing current practice in involving users in developing policy and mapping the use of codes of principles for guidance, with reference to the common European reference points. It is intended that this piece of work will be picked up by the other partners and that a trans national code might be considered.

The UK has some of the features of a country with federal government. Different policies and delivery systems operate in the four home countries. The UK Steering Group has considered a number of options for the infrastructure of a national guidance forum, which must engage with the interests and issues of the four UK countries and their main regions.

3.0 European Added Value

3.1 The Commission's advice note lists some of the objectives of a European network of national guidance forums as:

· to enable mutual learning and support to take place at European level through sharing of good practice

· to draw attention to relevant policy development at European level

· to enable collaborative action at European level among partners and networks

· to identify and communicate policies and actions at Community level, and

· to foster efficient use of effort by the national forums at both national and European levels [1]

[1] Creating European networks of national forums for lifelong guidance: Joint Actions Programme Call for Proposals 2004. Advice Note for Promoters and Partners. European Commission, DG EAC

3.2 The project is in a very early stage of development, but much mutual learning is taking place. Project co-ordinators meetings have already been mentioned, as has the transnational conference. In addition a number of bilateral activities have taken place. The UK has made fact finding visits to Ireland and Denmark. Ireland has similiarly visited Malta. Ireland has also given a presentation to the UK Steering Group . Dr. Peter Plant gave a presentation on the Danish experience to both project co ordinators and the Irish Forum. A videoconference was

held between members of the Maltese and Irish forums, again with project co ordinators present.

There has been no cross project collaborative action as yet, but this is planned through the specific objectives led by Estonia and Malta. In addition the UK is leading on mapping codes of principles, their content and usage and relating these to the common reference points. It is hoped recommendations for a transnational code will emerge. Most importantly the two Joint Call projects are now linking up and will look at a strategy for linking their work.

4.0 Issues

4.1 The role of government

A forum needs both a secretariat and a means of managing its work. In Denmark, both functions are carried out directly by a government ministry. In Ireland, there is a strong secretariat NCGE, which is an agency of government. However the forum is run by a small 'executive 'group, which includes DES, IGC, Institute of Guidance Counsellors, FAS and DETE. In the UK a link with the Guidance Council, an independent company and a charity, is a possibility.

Government has much to gain from a forum, but the level of involvement of other stakeholders in setting the agenda and direction of the forums work has been raised as an issue. Does government policy set the agenda for guidance or will a forum provide a broader opportunity to influence guidance?

4.2 Role and purpose of a forum

While much helpful material is given in the Commission advice note each country will have to establish the role and purpose of a forum to ensure added value and complementarity to any existing arrangements.

The Danish National Dialogue Forum aims to:

• develop and enhance the level of quality in Danish Guidance Services
• secure a close dialogue between the minister and relevant organisations, institutions, guidance counsellor organisations and individuals holding a leading position in Danish guidance

The Irish Forum aims to 'facilitate collaboration between guidance providers with a view to establishing links in order to make lifelong and lifewide guidance a reality'.

In the UK responses to the consultation have emphasised the need for a single focal point for the guidance sector which would, hopefully, result in increased clarity of message about guidance and help shape a vision for the long term direction of travel.

The agenda for new forums depends very much on the state of development in that particular country. The Irish Forum has developed a vision statement, and a working definition of guidance and now intends to develop a scoping paper on guidance in Ireland, quality assurance mechanisms for guidance delivery and competency frameworks for guidance practitioners and find ways of obtaining user and provider views on guidance and their guidance needs.

4.3 Regional co ordination /consultation

In the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have their own parliaments or national assemblies, which can enact legislation working within frameworks set by the national parliament at Westminster. England does not have its own parliament, but it does have 9 regional assemblies and regional government offices. There is a strong concensus among UK stakeholders for a UK level forum, but equally strong views on separate though linked forums in the 3 home countries. In England however regional structures may be more sensible.

In Denmark regional dialogue groups are developing . The role and structure of these regional groups may be slightly different from national forums. They may focus on more operational level activities, but they would certainly be a part of any consultation mechanism, which might emerge.

4.4 Involvement of users in policy making

The composition of the Irish Forum includes a representative of the Consumers Association. In Denmark the Students Association is represented. However representation by organisations representing specific user groups is not necessarily the only way forward. The need for systematic user involvement has been a major feature of the UK consultation. Some practical suggestions have been made and the UK is now carrying out a wider research exercise.

There is considerable rhetoric in the literature on both guidance and learning on putting the user at the 'centre of the service' and listening to 'the voice of the learner'. However, this vision sits uneasily with planning structures, which are essentially top down. At the same time a policy focus on skills for employability has given rise to many initiatives to seek out the needs of employers, but with little parallel effort to find out individual needs. However there is a growing conviction that individuals have a right to influence public services. Arguments for involving users might include: an enhanced quality of service ; new services; addressing barriers to access; preventing serious complaints and identifying new markets.

Consultation can embrace a range of approaches to public involvement in policy formation and decision making. These might extend from a blank sheet approach, where people are offered an outline of ideas to which they can contribute or to 'rubber stamping ' fully developed proposals. Genuine consultation though implies discussion, negotiation, capacity building and partner arrangements between professionals and ordinary people in the interests of developing sustainable 'bottom up ' approaches. There will need to be a real commitment to working alongside rather than at arms length from citizens.

4.5 Sustainability

A level of core funding is essential. Government funding for forums ensures some level of government ownership, but where it is withheld there is a possibility of using membership fees.

4.6 A forum as an organisation of organisations

The range and diversity of stakeholders is a characteristic of guidance policy and practice. It is a part of the rationale for a forum. In the UK there are large numbers of umbrella organisations in the guidance field including professional organisations, associations of providers of both guidance and learning, employers organisations, the list is almost endless. A forum must strive for a reasonable representation and may use several methodologies to do so. Nevertheless the existence of a forum may stimulate the formation of new organisations and/or encourage others to re examine their role and purpose and consider how best their particular constituency can be represented.

4.7 Communication

If engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, especially practitioners, users and researchers is to be established and maintained it is essential that forums develop good communication mechanisms. The Danish Dialogue forum link to a professional journal is one such way. The establishment of a wider consultative structure around a smaller, manageable forum is another.

5.0 Concluding Comments.

5.1 The following is taken from the Project Interim External Evaluation Report sent to the Commission last month.

'' This project by its nature is both political and ambitious.

It is political at national level in that for most countries the establishment of national forums brings together stakeholders for the first time in formal and informal ways to develop common and complementary approaches to guidance policy and systems development. This involves sharing: sharing involves giving and receiving; in a political context sharing is generally more difficult.

It is political at both national and EU levels as its aims reflect the development and implementation of national lifelong learning strategies, a key part of the EU Education and Training 2010 programme, and the implementation of the Council Resolution on Guidance throughout Life (2004).

It is ambitious:

-it has to achieve certain goals both national and European within a two year project timeframe; for most countries this requires a big change in perspectives and behaviours in policies and systems development for guidance, from fragmentation to coherence

-in addition, the project is expected to create a prototype European network of national guidance forums that could inform future EU policy developments.

These are two big, ambitious tasks, not to be underestimated.''

Judy Alloway The Guidance Council November 2005