Following an invitation from the West Midlands Combined Authority, a wide group of ESOL delivery partners were brought together to review ESOL in the West Midlands Combined Authority area.

Over the last 10 years or so, there has been a shift in government priority and funding of ESOL provision. This policy context has led to some change in behaviours towards ESOL delivery and resulted in a decline in the visibility and importance of ESOL in the area.

What the partnership share is a recognition of the importance of ESOL as key element of any employability which supports inclusivity. In an ethnically diverse region and with inward migration, particularly of refugees, as a longstanding feature of the West Midlands, it is important that we sustain and grow our capacity to deliver ESOL effectively.