Human Learning Systems & Equity.

The Human Learning Systems framework is an alternative model of public management. It explores the concept of a ‘healthy system’ as a key enabler of change in the world of complexity. It looks to transform the way we organise and manage public service to help people flourish.

The framework has been adopted by Local Authorities, civil society organisations, and national Governments. It is being developed from the ground up by public service workers, managers and leaders who are tired of the way that targets and markets create dehumanising, fragmented and wasteful public service. 

HLS starts with the complex reality of human lives, and recognising that relationships and systems (not single organisations, services or projects) create meaningful outcomes. A key duty on all public services is to ensure equal access to support and services in an increasingly diverse and unequal society. HLS helps workers at all levels to build relationships and learn together with those they support. It is public service for the real world.

A HLS approach aims to enhance equity and inclusion and value diversity, particularly through the focus on more personalised, bespoke support that responds to individual needs, strengths and circumstances. I began working with HLS in 2021, building the digital foundations, diversifying the community and developing the learning infrastructure, helping people develop their confidence and capacity to take a Human Learning Systems approach in their work.

• We produced regular newsletters showcasing updates and resources across the country. 
• We supported learning communities for local authorities, for social pedagogy practitioners, for the curious, and for system stewards in civil society; and 
• We brought together 500+ people for HLS Week 2022 across 25 events, exploring and sharing HLS practice and its potential with over 50 practitioners sharing their experiences. 

I led the project management and logistics of Collaborate’s HLS Week, culminating the week with my own event; ‘Diversity in the New World’ looking at systemic issues people of colour face in the Charity Sector and how HLS approaches could be a route to tackle systemic inequalities. We set-up conversations centering equity  in the context of human-centred, relational practices, learning and adaptation, and whole system working. 

In the two conversations we hosted during HLS Week, participants generously shared practices and approaches, finding it helpful to discuss these in relation to the three areas of HLS:

Human:  ‘Adopting a relational approach is not straightforward and raises important questions … about who we build relationships with. Responding to diversity is an essential feature of “human” approaches… to adopt a relational approach that encourages and embraces diversity – rather than reinforcing existing biases and networks requires us to critically examine …who makes decisions.’

Learning:  ‘Learning as strategy – learning in every interaction … is an approach to addressing injustice… the ongoing learning approach enables those voices and perspectives that have been marginalised by current practice to be heard.’

Systems: ‘Tackling power inequalities is a necessary part of enabling the diversity, and therefore health, of systems. Genuine participation of diverse voices in a system requires addressing the structural power inequalities which have meant that some voices are unreasonably valued over others.’ 

-Source: HLS: Public Service in the Real World

Relevant Resources & Case Studies (From Collaborate & Partners)

• Collaborate have created a resource for HLS practitioners on Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Empowerment have set up a Lived Experience Team as system change agents.
• Good Cents have developed a trauma-informed approach to debt services.
• Lighthouse are co-producing residential care with young people.
• Plymouth Alliance have powerfully used appreciative Inquiry to generate empathy.
• Wellbeing Teams are paying their home care workers the living wage.