Evaluation of the Advancement Network Prototypes - Second Interim Report

This report documents the findings from the second phase of the evaluation of the Advancement Network Prototypes. The Prototypes formed part of the development work leading up to the implementation of the adult advancement and careers service (aacs) in autumn 2010.

The Prototypes were managed by the Learning and Skills Council and tested a broad range of approaches to delivering services, offered through a range of channels centring on face-to-face services enhanced in some cases by web resources and planned telephone lines.

The research for this phase of work took place between June and September 2009. It was qualitative in approach and comprised a two-day visit to each Prototype and interviews with:

• strategic staff and project managers
• delivery staff
• users of the Prototypes’ services.

In addition, adviser feedback meetings, launch events and local steering group meetings were attended and some Prototypes made available local monitoring and evaluation reports, and outputs from their management information systems.

This research was conducted jointly by IES and the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion.