The Family Learning Signature was developed in the belief that there is significant benefit to be gained through the deployment of tools and processes that help to align strategic interventions with the learning capacity of a family - particularly if the deployment of the learning can be 'managed' by the family itself.

The Family Learning Signature is a visually striking and easy-to-apply tool that has been designed to enable a family to define their learning 'capacity' and, in so doing, to describe that family's preparedness for learning and development. It is deployed, initially, to provide a baseline or benchmark for families in understanding their learning strengths and challenges and for others engaging with the family learners, to understand the prevailing cultural, environmental, behavioural and resource conditions. Thereafter it is used to monitor changes in family learning capacity during a programme of interventions to show impact over time.

The Family Learning Signature is currently being used in a number of schools throughout the UK, adding significantly to their family learning and wider engagement programmes. It is also being used in other settings, such as prisons, where agencies have an interest in building a picture of the learning capacity of the families they support.

The data generated through the Family Learning Signature process provides schools, local authorities and other stakeholders with a valuable insight into the strengths and challenges of the families in their local community. This information can add considerable value to all stakeholders, in terms of targeting, planning and resourcing.

Signature projects have focused on supporting families during transition stages from primary to secondary school, engaging with hard to reach families, improving attendance among families with persistent absenteeism from school, and improving families self assessment and self referral to programmes available to them.

Also see our Introductory Video.

For further information contact signature@businesslab.co.uk