Overview report

This series aimed to support the further education and skills sector to think critically about the Big Society concept, challenges and opportunities, and to develop a vision, narrative and operational models that keep integrity with its role and purpose and with its contribution to civil society.

Seminar series: summary report

Seminar three: Influencing the future - exploring new roles and purposes, 14 July 2011   

The third seminar aimed to: 

• explore emerging thinking on the vision for the FE and skills system;
• consider a range of possible roles and purposes and discuss which elements might give the best account of the sector’s potential contribution to the new context;
• advise LSIS on priorities for supporting the sector to realise its ambitions through for example, action research and prototyping.

It featured inputs from Susan Pember, director, Further Education & Skills Investment & Performance Directorate,  Department of Business, Innovation and Skills; and Paul Buddery, partner, 2020 Public Services  Hub at the RSA. The seminar was chaired by Dame Ruth Silver DBE.

Seminar three: final report

Seminar two: Enabling the Big Society - exploring new forms of organisation and resource, 15 June 2011

This second seminar aimed to:

• improve our understanding of the practical options and mechanics that could enable colleges and providers to be more responsive to their networks and communities; and specifically to:
  • examine the organisational features and legal entities associated with social enterprises and mutuals, including the options and implications for governance;
  • explore what social resource are available, to include social finance, charitable giving and volunteering, and human and social capital
• review the implications for the organisational form options available to colleges and providers and identify gaps in the evidence and information needed.

It featured inputs from Judith Smyth, director for public governance and commissioning, Office for Public Management; Dom Potter, head of innovation, Social Enterprise London; and Gareth Zahir-Bill, investment manager, UnLtd Ventures. Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs chaired the seminar.

Seminar two: final report
Judith Smyth's handout - Innovation and governance
Dom Potter's presentation - Social enterprise and other organisational forms
Gareth Zahir-Bill's presentation - Social finance and other social resources

Seminar one: Getting the Big Society in focus, 7 April 2011

This first seminar aimed to:

• explore the challenges and opportunities generated by different elements of the emerging Big Society concept;
• establish the key shifts envisaged as part of building the Big Society and assess sector relevance and readiness; and
• scope issues for further practical exploration over the seminar series.

It featured inputs from Steve Moore, director, Big Society Network; Barry Quirk, chief executive, Lewisham Council; Maggie Galliers, principal, Leicester College. Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs chaired the seminar.

Seminar one: final report
Barry Quirk’s presentation - The Character of Change and the Challenges we Face
Maggie Gallier’s presentation - FE and Its Contribution to Social and Economic Life: A vision for the Big Society