Informal ESOL grant scheme

The Lancashire Refugee Integration Team (LRIT) works to support the resettlement of refugees across the county who have arrived through government funded resettlement schemes. The team seeks to support English language acquisition as a crucial aspect of integration, while recognising that, as the Home Office Indicators of Integration Framework 2019 states, integration is a multi-dimensional and multi-directional process, and language and communication constitute just one of 14 different domains of integration.

Adult individuals relocating to Lancashire are supported within the first week of arrival to access a formal English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) assessment to determine their level and then enrolled onto formal ESOL provision in their local further education college. As well as ensuring that learners are able to work towards accredited ESOL qualifications, attending local colleges provides valuable opportunities for community integration and connections learners with professions able to offer advice on further education and training opportunities. 

Such provision, however, is often only able to provide twice-weekly lessons, meaning that there is a need for additional learning opportunities to support what is almost inevitably a long-term learning experience. We recognise that the further education (FE) sector also does not have the capacity to provide the number of weekly hours of ESOL needed to support intensive learning and progression. The outcomes for refugees during the first two years after their arrival varies immensely, with some progressing very quickly to higher levels of proficiency (and sometimes achieving a Level 2 qualification enabling them to access further employment or higher education opportunities), while others struggle to achieve even Entry 1 level at the end of Year 1 of resettlement. This is not surprising, as formal ESOL does not necessarily cater for all learning styles, and many adult refugee learners have very little experience of formal education pre-resettlement (with some also being illiterate in their home country language). We recognise that accredited formal ESOL provision is a time-intensive route to integration that is not uniformly effective and does not cater for all learning styles and personal circumstances.

More importantly, the feedback that we get from our service users is that formal ESOL alone will not achieve rapid progression for many. The research that we commissioned in early 2018 also provided extensive information about the need to complement formal provision with alternative English language provision. The Employment, Training and Enterprise Needs Assessment Report identified that, while refugees were aware of the "importance of learning English outside of the classroom… only a small number of them were able to provide some practical examples of learning the language in their own time". And most were not aware of alternative classes or provision locally. The Community Integration Assessment also noted the need for more English language provision and recommended a "variety of language acquisition pathways to be recognised and supported by resettlement programmes (college, community-based learning, voluntary work based learning, issue or skill focused language learning) to reflect different needs/ priorities amongst refugees".

With the colleges taking on the support of refugee learners through their expanding and successful ESOL programmes, we have developed our ESOL approach to explore ways to complement the work of their accredited programme through informal ESOL and language training opportunities. We want to be able to direct students towards additional informal learning opportunities with organisations that work alongside and support students' progress on their formal ESOL course in further education colleges.  We recognise that there are many such independently funded charity, voluntary and faith sector organisations across Lancashire supporting learners progress in language learning.

English language teaching and learning is a broad field than spans a range of different methods, contexts and activities. More specifically, “Formal Language Training” or "Formal ESOL" refers to the provision of ESOL that leads to students attaining accredited qualifications from a provider regulated by an appropriate national body. Delivery of formal ESOL is led by qualified tutors and follow agreed curricula. It is a very important route to English language proficiency, particularly for those requiring certification of skills and progression.

Equally important, however, is "Informal Language Training" or "Informal ESOL" which can often be more easily tailored to meet the different needs of a diverse group of learners, with different motivations, starting points and levels of confidence. Informal Language Training refers to language training provision that does not lead to accreditation or qualification and therefore often allows for more innovative, person-centred approaches, and is responsive to individual and local contexts and needs. It can take place in any location, may or may not have a pre-set curriculum and will usually be provided in a structured or semi-structured way, delivered by a range of people including volunteers. It can include confidence building, active citizenship and a whole host of leisure or community activities.

Examples of informal language training or ESOL provision include (the list is NOT exhaustive):

• Conversation sessions

• Language cafés

• Language exchange (where English speakers and speakers of other languages exchange teaching and learning)

• Volunteer teachers (home tuition or in community settings)

• Community-based ESOL

• Family-focused English language learning

• ESOL incorporating drama or creative arts

• Talk English (www.talk-english.co.uk)

• Creative English (www.creative-english.org.uk)

• Employment-related ESOL

• Work or volunteering-based ESOL

• Guided self-study

• Web or App-based learning

It is important to stress however, that informal ESOL does not mean lack of method, syllabus or organisation. In fact, a robust and structured approach to planning and delivery, underpinned by relevant language learning pedagogy is essential to support learner progress even in projects which deliver informal ESOL. Likewise, monitoring of attendance and progress are as crucial in informal ESOL provision as they are in its formal counterpart.  This being said, a range of different approaches can be utilised, and the focus is on learning in more informal, relaxed settings with special attention given to experience, social interaction and real-life contexts. Informal ESOL is particularly geared toward learners with low levels of proficiency and those who require building confidence and self-esteem. It also person-centred and dialogic, that is, it is not based on a top-down approach.

Learners across Lancashire should always be encouraged to attend formal ESOL courses, where they are available. The aims of informal ESOL are to complement formal ESOL classes, providing learners with opportunities to practice English, and provide alternative types of provision to learners for whom formal lessons are not the most effective method of learning, particularly those with no proficiency and limited experience of formal education. 

The Lancashire Refugee Integration Team, as result of the evidence provided in our research and engagement, and following national policy on community-based English language provision, has created the Informal ESOL Grant Scheme (the 'Scheme'). The Scheme will make available grants to organisations that propose suitable projects and activities for the provision of informal ESOL for refugees in Lancashire. Organisations may submit proposals that cover the whole county (the 12 refugee resettlement areas plus Blackpool Unitary Authority) or individual resettlement areas (or groups of such areas). 'Resettlement areas' are defined as all local authorities resettling refugees under the government funded schemes. This includes all Local Authorities in Lancashire, with the exception of Blackburn with Darwen and Chorley who manage their own ESOL provision.

The aims of the Informal ESOL Grant Scheme include to:

1. Provide opportunities for refugees, particularly resettled refugees, in Lancashire to learn and practice English in informal or semi-formal contexts

2. Increase refugees' self-confidence and ability to learn the English language

3. Facilitate, through English language provision, social interactions and communication between refugees and local communities

4. Cater for diversity of learning styles and personal circumstances within the refugee community

5. Develop refugees' skills, knowledge and awareness of English that is relevant to their professional backgrounds, qualifications and aspirations

6. Tackle exclusion from English language learning by promoting and using new and innovative approaches that meet individual needs

7. Complement formal ESOL provision by providing opportunities for refugees to apply class-based learning

8. Promote awareness and use of English language digital learning resources

9. Develop family and community-based learning opportunities for refugees

10. Provide volunteering opportunities in language teaching and learning for refugees and other members of local communities

11. Raise awareness about the benefits and methods of organised self-study, and provide guidance and support to improve its use and impact

Successful bids will involve projects and activities that target and benefit refugees resettled in Lancashire under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Programme, Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, UK Resettlement Scheme and Homes for Ukraine. sponsored schemes. Proposed projects may also benefit other refugees, asylum seekers, and other members of the local community. However, they must target the needs of, and seek to benefit directly, resettled refugees, and bids must indicate how the proposed project will engage with, and ensure the participation of resettled refugees. Projects must not be open to learners from single nationality groups.

Proposals must also indicate how the proposed projects will deal with common barriers to learning such as transport and childcare needs. They must also evidence the need for the proposed provision, and how it will fit around and complement other local English language provision.

The Lancashire Refugee Integration Team at Lancashire County Council welcomes creative and innovative approaches, and also projects based on tried and tested models.  The Scheme also invites proposals that seek to meet localised needs, or those of specific groups of refugees (i.e. employment-related ESOL, older people, mothers with very young children).

The Informal ESOL Grant Scheme does not intend to be overly prescriptive as we welcome innovative proposals. However, proposals must be very clear about what they are going to use the grant for and must clearly demonstrate intended outcomes. Although they are not absolute, meeting one or more of the following criteria may demonstrate suitability of proposals and therefore influence the chances of being successful:

1. High quality, innovative proposals

2. Proposals that are based on evidence and engagement with users

3. Proposals that demonstrate long term impact

4. Proposals that evidence sustainability beyond the availability of Refugee Resettlement funding

5. Value for money, defined as high impact, low spend projects

6. Match funding from bidders (or other funders)

7. Experience of working with refugees (and resettled refugees in particular) is not required; however, proposals from organisations that do not have experience of working with refugees must evidence that they have the required understanding of refugees' issues, and their language acquisition needs

8. Added value, i.e. non-duplication of existing activities

9. Effective mechanisms of feeding back learning and relevant information to the Lancashire Refugee Integration Team, and engaging with the team, while observing relevant data protection protocols

1. Applications for core costs or on-going project costs, for example costs such as rent, utilities or on-going salaries that are not directly connected to proposed projects

2. Applications for research activities or to help pay towards legal fees

3. Applications where the request for funding is not for a new project, initiative or activity, unless it is demonstrated that the current project meets the requirements of the Scheme and that all efforts have been made to secure additional funding from the current and/or other funders

4. Applications to fund religious or political activities (faith based organisations are eligible to apply)

5. Applications from groups whose sole purpose is to campaign, or any campaign activity

6. Applications to fund retrospectively, meaning support for work that has already taken place prior to the agreement of funding

7. Applications to fund projects primarily for the benefit of people who are not residents of the resettlement areas in Lancashire

8. Any application that is unlawful or is contrary to County Council Policies and Procedures (all policies and procedures are available at lancashire.gov.uk or on request).

Please note that organisations applying for funding to support and/or work directly with children and/or vulnerable adults, MUST supply appropriate Safeguarding Policies relating to children and/or vulnerable adults. Organisations must also ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service in relation to this, as well as ensuring that their staff and volunteers have undergone appropriate (standard or enhanced) checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with appropriate Barred list checks where eligible, in accordance with guidance, for all the individuals involved (both staff and volunteers).  The county council expects providers to provide copies all relevant certificates when requested. The only exception to this is where parents accompany their own children.

The Scheme will usually fund projects that benefit refugees who are aged 18 or over, but projects centred on informal ESOL for young people (aged 15 and over) may be considered, subject to all requirements being met, including the above-mentioned safeguarding requirements.

The Informal ESOL Grant Scheme will fund projects and activities that meet the aims and conditions of the Scheme. It will award of up to £10,000 per individual project. Match funding is welcome. The Scheme will run initially for two years, with the total amount of funding available being a maximum of £70,000 in the first year and a maximum of £70,000 in the second year.

Bidders are welcome to apply for funds to cover a project for two years, or for shorter term projects, with one successful application per organisation per year allowed. Providers delivering a project in the first year will be able to apply for a new grant to enable the continuation of the same project, subject to evaluation of the project together with the Refugee Integration Team at Lancashire County Council. In this case the maximum amount awarded in both years will not exceed a total of £10,000.

Informal ESOL Grant Scheme Application Form DOCX 590 KB

You can apply for a Programme Informal ESOL Grant if you are a:

1. Voluntary and community organisation

2. Registered charity

3. Constituted group or club

4. Social enterprise

5. Group of organisations, if led by a voluntary/community organisation or social enterprise

6. Community interest company (with two or more directors)

7. Statutory organisation

The scheme will not accept applications from individuals or limited companies (that are not registered charities or social enterprises).

Bidders may submit the application form (enclosed) any time, as the Scheme will operate on a continuing basis for the first two years. Awards will be granted four times a year, as follows: 

Applications forms will be assessed according to the aims, conditions and criteria specified here. The proposals will be assessed by the Informal ESOL Grant Scheme Panel (the Panel), which consists of members of the Lancashire Refugee Integration Team at Lancashire County Council, and at least one external Panel member with lived experience of being a refugee or asylum seeker. Application forms must be submitted by email to RITTeam@lancashire.gov.uk.

Please note the following:

1. Decisions will be made at the absolute discretion of the Panel. The Panel makes no guarantee as to the number of awards it will make.

2. The Panel reserve the right, at their discretion, to call bidders for a face-to-face, telephone or video informal interview as part of the assessment process, to seek clarifications or to request any further information.

3. Panel decisions will be communicated to all relevant bidders within two weeks of the decision deadline.

4. Where a proposal is unsuccessful, but the Panel believes that it has potential, the Panel may decide to:

   1. Include the proposal, without any changes, in the next round of applications; or

   2. Request changes to the proposal and that it is submitted in a new form (this by no means guarantees the success of a revised proposal).

5. The Panel's decisions are final and there will be no appeals process. The Panel will endeavour to explain constructively why a proposal was unsuccessful, but there is no obligation for it to do so.

6. There is no minimum or maximum spend for each round of applications, and the Scheme carries no obligation to spend the full (maximum) amount assigned to it by the Lancashire Refugee Resettlement Programme.

7. When awarding grants, the Panel will have regard to the number of families resettled by different Local Authorities in Lancashire – this means that areas that resettled more families are likely to see, proportionately, more funding awarded for projects benefiting resettled refugees there.

8. If there is an excess of proposals for certain Local Authority areas, and a concomitant dearth of proposals in others, the Panel may negotiate with some bidders about the possibility of projects being implemented in areas for which they were not originally intended.

For informal discussions about the Scheme, please contact:

RITTeam@lancashire.gov.uk