Adult Learning Inspectorate

During November and December 2003 SOVA, as a national charity, was inspected for the first time by the Adult Learning Inspectorate. The ALI report, published in February 2004, confirms that SOVA lives up to its aim of involving local communities in promoting social inclusion and reducing crime

The Inspectors found that:

• the quality of SOVA's volunteer support and management was good
• work with project clients was satisfactory
• SOVA's leadership and management was good
• quality assurance is satisfactory
• equality of opportunity is outstanding"
  

This leaflet highlights some of the comments made both by the Inspectors and by SOVA learners during the Inspection.

What the Inspectors said about how SOVA is led and managed

• There is a clear ethos and culture of equality of opportunity
• Management is inclusive and effective
• There are good partnership arrangements with the statutory and voluntary sectors as well as many local communities
• Staff appraisal is thorough and effective
• Health and Safety is excellently managed with good procedures to ensure that risks to staff and volunteers are minimised.

What the Inspectors said about SOVA's volunteer learners

• They receive particularly good levels of support
• There is good development of volunteering skills
• Volunteer training is offered at times and places which best meet the needs of learners
• They are treated with the same respect as employed staff
• SOVA celebrates the achievement of volunteers well at national and local levels

What the Inspectors said about SOVA's Service Users

• They learn new skills and make significant progress
• They benefit from the good range of training and guidance offered which helps them to re-integrate into the community, deal with personal needs and gain employment
• They receive support which is particularly sensitive to the specific needs of offenders, ex-offenders and at-risk groups

What volunteers said they like about SOVA

• the increased self-awareness gained through volunteering
• the new challenges that volunteer training brings

What service users said they like about SOVA

• the time and attention and the respect they receive from staff and volunteers"
• that everything they asked for has been delivered"
• better support for resettlement"
• the chance to share their problems with others who have similar needs"
• support with no strings attached" and "being treated like a normal person"

You can download a full copy of the summary report from the ALI website
at www.ali.gov.uk