Barnsley Council teams win national Quality Improvement Award

We’re pleased to announce that our Adult Skills and Community Learning (ASCL) team, along with our Contract, Compliance, and Performance Services team, have been named winners of the prestigious Quality Improvement Team of the Year Award.

The announcement was made at last week’s Quality Professionals Awards ceremony, which brought together teams from across the UK to celebrate excellence in education and employability support.

Judges praised the teams for their outstanding commitment to improving the quality of learning. Their seamless collaboration, empathy and smart use of data were highlighted as setting a new benchmark for excellence in the sector.

Our Adult Skills and Community Learning team offers a wide range of courses to support people on their journey into employment, from wellbeing and personal development to practical life skills. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in November, the team is recognised for their exceptional quality of education and commitment to raising aspirations.

Supporting their work is the Contract, Compliance, and Performance Services team, who ensure we meet funding requirements, maintain high standards, and continually improve our learning offer to provide the best value for public money.

Work is underway to bring all council employment services under the Pathways to Work umbrella, making it simpler for people to access the health, wellbeing, skills, and employment support they need.

Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said:

This award is a powerful testament to the dedication and impact of our teams, who consistently go above and beyond to support learners on their journey towards sustainable employment.

It’s an exciting time for us. This joined-up approach has already received national recognition, with Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall endorsing it for wider rollout. Backed by government investment, we’re now scaling the model through a regional pilot, enabling more people to explore their options and access tailored support.

Adult Skills and Community Learning plays a vital role in supporting the Pathways to Work model, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Visit our website to learn more about the support available through Adult Skills and Community Learning.