Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy (FLLN)

These programmes are specifically aimed at helping improve the literacy, language and numeracy skills of parents; to better equip them to help their children and to help to improve the children’s own literacy, language and numeracy skills.

A list of approved programmes has been devised by the DfES Skills for Life Unit to enable a range of provision from taster to extensive courses.

FLLN guidelines at a glance

FLLN courses comprise of Taster, Introductory, Short and Intensive programmes:

Taster courses

Taster courses of usually 2-4 hours, to attract a minimum of 85% new learners and include signposting into other learning provision

• Play and language taster session
• Family literacy workshop
• Family numeracy workshop
• Combined family literacy and numeracy workshop
• Keeping Up With the Children taster

Introductory programmes

Introductory programmes of usually 9-13 hours, to attract primarily new learners. They include an assessment of parents'/carers’ skill needs, and opportunities for them to develop their own skills and their ability to help their children

• Play and language
• Skills for Families Springboard
• Keeping Up with the Children

Short programmes

Short programmes are usually 30-49 hours, to provide progression from introductory courses. They include screening and diagnostic assessment to make sure the programme suits parents'/carers’ needs, and opportunities to get qualifications through the Move On approach

• Early Start -
  • Baby Talk 0-1 year
  • Small Talk 1-2 years
  • Talk Together 2-3 years
• Playing with Language 3-5 years
• Family Literacy
• Family Numeracy
• Family Finance
• Keeping up with the Children+

Intensive programmes

Intensive programmes of usually 72-96 hours, to challenge and encourage learners to develop their skills. The aim is that 25% of parents will complete the national test in literacy or numeracy.

• Family Literacy
• Family Numeracy
• Combined Family Literacy and/or Language and/or Numeracy

More about FLLN programmes

All approved FLLN programmes are defined by the DfES Skills for Families Unit as basic skills programmes and it is expected these programmes should be delivered to learners at no cost.

Activities should:

• Raise the attainment and/or achievement adults; and/or
• Promote lifelong learning for the whole family; and/or
• Build the conference of family members of all ages as they join together in a learning activity; and/or
• Provide progression opportunities, signposting individuals ore family groups to subsequent learning opportunities; and/or
• Help involve parents/carers in their children’s education and be better able to support them.

Priority Groups and Learner Records

The following learners have been identified by ABSSU as some of the national target groups for this provision and are those set out in Skills for Life:

• Unemployed people and benefit claimants
• Jobseekers
• Low-skilled people in employment
• Young adults
• Other at risk groups of exclusion
• Parents
• People who live in disadvantaged communities.

An Individualised Learner Record (ILR) should be created for all ACL learners on programmes of 6 hours or more in all cases. Providers should identify how many learners they aim to reach for each programme type and ensure that the total cost of this programme broadly equates to the indicative FLLN allocation. Projected numbers and costs can then be forwarded to the National Office.