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Further Education and Training Bill [HL]

In response to the right reverend Prelate, we believe that further education colleges should take the moral and spiritual well-being of students seriously. Indeed, the great majority of them do, but we believe that it should be taken seriously by all colleges. However, we do not think that imposing a wide-ranging duty on the Learning and Skills Council or FE colleges is an appropriate way forward. Young people at college are young adults. Their needs are different to pre-16 learners. Because it is difficult to separate out the general duties of a school for pre- and post-16 learners, the general duty in the Education and Inspections Act in respect of schools applies to school sixth forms. But we do not believe that it is appropriate to impose this same duty on all post-16 institutions which do not have students below the age of 16. This issue is best addressed on a non-statutory basis. Indeed, it is being so addressed by all the partners engaged in the faith communities and further education. A good deal is already happening in FE to encourage and support colleges meeting spiritual and faith needs. A range of guidance has been produced, including guidance to leaders in further education on their responsibilities and specific guidance on multi-faith chaplaincy services, an issue raised by the noble Baroness. In addition, the draft statutory guidance for colleges on consulting learners and employers reinforces this point. This supports Clause 21 and has been made available in advance to Members of the Committee. It includes a section on consulting learners about their faith and spiritual needs. We believe that strengthening the learner voice is a critical way of achieving our shared objectives in this area. However, I should like to add an important rider to my response so far. As the right reverend Prelate may be aware, the National Ecumenical Agency in Further Education is carrying out a national review of opportunities for spiritual and moral development in the further education sector. It will review current provision, make an assessment of the needs of students in further education in relation to spiritual and moral development and will propose a framework for meeting these needs. We look forward to receiving the National Ecumenical Agency’s report later in the year and we will consider any further national initiatives or policy that are appropriate when we have considered that report. I should add that we would welcome the views of the right reverend Prelate, his fellow Bishops and other noble Lords when this report is available.