The partnership involved 8 workplaces, 11 union learning representatives, and 3 full time staff with a budget of £1.07 million from 2009-2012 targeting the health and social care sector. The program recruited learners from disadvantaged areas and progressed many to further education. An evaluation found that the course improved participants' skills, confidence, and approach to patient care. Managers observed staff were more thoughtful in their work. Academics noted the program fostered expansive learning within the workplace. Recommendations focused on support for students and embedding lessons into management practices.

12. TABLE 1: OVERALL THEMES AND THEIR DIMENSIONS -Increased sensitivity to and awareness of the experience and needs of service users -More detailed approaches to care and report writing -Changes in ‘ mindset’ -More confident about own role in service user advocacy -Raised awareness of impact of contextual issues related to professional and political change -Computer skills -Numeracy skills -Cognitive skills e.g. more analytical and reflective; able to see relevance of knowledge and evidence as a basis for practice -Increased skills in time management -High sense of achievement -Increased self confidence -Increased self esteem -Increased Motivation -Positive re-evaluation of own role -More knowledgeable -Wider horizons -Future orientated -Support from tutors and face to face tutorials -On line support from helpline and student forum -Peer support Management support -Support from Bridges to Learning and UNISON -Recruitment -Course content -Integration of K101 and NVQ3 -Flexibility CHANGES IN PRACTICE SKILLS ACQUISITION PERSONAL BENEFITS SUPPORT COURSE CONTENT AND MANAGEMENT

13. It opened up my eyes It woke me up It made me think again It made me look at things from a different angle