5. Conclusion

The question of evaluation and added value was the starting place for the Guide and is the final issue to be discussed in this report.

Projects are still struggling with these issues and the Guide, while providing signposts for action, has not given initiatives a clear path to follow in isolating the benefits of their activities. There remain unanswered questions about appropriate baseline data, the variables that affect different communities and how value added can be assessed in such complex multi-faceted initiatives. Benchmarking across single services is complex enough. The idea of benchmarking across whole communities remains a challenge.

During the life of this set of projects, the whole context for partnerships has changed not once, in the formation of learning partnerships, but twice with the corning of the local Learning and Skills Councils. It will be a challenge for these new bodies to use the experience of existing partnerships to inform the development of new and different ways to change the learning culture.