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Social Value in the Further Education and Skills Sector in England

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Title: Social Value in the Further Education and Skills Sector in England
Language: English
Authors: Carla Barrett (ORCID 0009-0005-4998-5239), Matilda Gosling (ORCID 0009-0003-8662-1704)
Source: Education & Training. 2026 68(3):372-385.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Adult Education, Educational Benefits, Well Being, Inclusion, Participation, Employment Opportunities, Skill Development, Economic Development, Community Benefits
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1108/ET-08-2025-0681
ISSN: 0040-0912
1758-6127
Abstract: Purpose: This paper explores how Further Education (FE) and Skills professionals understand social value, based on a sector-wide call for evidence. It examines evidence of the sector's contribution to social value at individual, community and societal levels. While relatively little has been written about social value in FE and Skills, articulating the value generated by the sector can strengthen its collective identity, provide meaningful insights for policymakers and support organisations to communicate and enhance the value they deliver. Design/methodology/approach: In July 2024, the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) held a month-long call for evidence on social value in the FE and Skills sector in England. ETF invited FE and Skills professionals to submit evidence about the social, psychological and community benefits their institutions deliver. Participants were asked to complete a short online survey and upload any relevant reports, documents and supporting data. Findings: Evidence reviewed in this study suggests that social value in FE and Skills is primarily created in the form of social inclusion and widening participation, employment opportunities and progression to future learning. Key perceived benefits included learner knowledge, skills and confidence, strengthening community bonds, social cohesion and integration and local employment and economic prosperity. Originality/value: This study contributes to a better understanding of social value in FE and Skills. Based on the literature review and call for evidence, it offers a working definition of social value in FE and Skills as the social, economic and environmental well-being that benefits learners and local communities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506106
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Social Value in the Further Education and Skills Sector in England
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carla+Barrett%22">Carla Barrett</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4998-5239">0009-0005-4998-5239</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Matilda+Gosling%22">Matilda Gosling</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8662-1704">0009-0003-8662-1704</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+%26+Training%22"><i>Education & Training</i></searchLink>. 2026 68(3):372-385.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Adult+Education%22">Adult Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Education%22">Adult Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Benefits%22">Educational Benefits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Participation%22">Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Opportunities%22">Employment Opportunities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Economic+Development%22">Economic Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Community+Benefits%22">Community Benefits</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28England%29%22">United Kingdom (England)</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1108/ET-08-2025-0681
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 0040-0912<br />1758-6127
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This paper explores how Further Education (FE) and Skills professionals understand social value, based on a sector-wide call for evidence. It examines evidence of the sector's contribution to social value at individual, community and societal levels. While relatively little has been written about social value in FE and Skills, articulating the value generated by the sector can strengthen its collective identity, provide meaningful insights for policymakers and support organisations to communicate and enhance the value they deliver. Design/methodology/approach: In July 2024, the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) held a month-long call for evidence on social value in the FE and Skills sector in England. ETF invited FE and Skills professionals to submit evidence about the social, psychological and community benefits their institutions deliver. Participants were asked to complete a short online survey and upload any relevant reports, documents and supporting data. Findings: Evidence reviewed in this study suggests that social value in FE and Skills is primarily created in the form of social inclusion and widening participation, employment opportunities and progression to future learning. Key perceived benefits included learner knowledge, skills and confidence, strengthening community bonds, social cohesion and integration and local employment and economic prosperity. Originality/value: This study contributes to a better understanding of social value in FE and Skills. Based on the literature review and call for evidence, it offers a working definition of social value in FE and Skills as the social, economic and environmental well-being that benefits learners and local communities.
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1108/ET-08-2025-0681
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 372
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Benefits
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Well Being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inclusion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employment Opportunities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
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      – SubjectFull: Economic Development
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      – SubjectFull: Community Benefits
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (England)
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      – TitleFull: Social Value in the Further Education and Skills Sector in England
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