The following improvement services support organisations in facilitating improvement through efficiency, innovation and new ways of working.
Improvement and Development Service (IDS)*
The LSIS Improvement and Development Service offers a range of interventions to enable providers to improve their provision. A team of LSIS Regional Development Managers support learning and skills providers in each English region so that they obtain the best advice and support on quality improvement, promoting the whole LSIS menu. Delivery is bespoke to the needs of the organisation and is delivered by individual improvement advisers and sector experts.
*The Improvement and Development Service (IDS) has now replaced the Sector Support Service.
Learner Engagement and Wellbeing
This strand will look at how to increase learner engagement and involvement to improve the effectiveness of the sector in meeting learners' needs and how to improve the sector's approaches to safeguarding and learner health and wellbeing. We will particularly work with WBL/ACL and offender learning as well as increasing the involvement of learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD). The work will be delivered through a combination of workshops, regional network meetings, training programmes, consultancy, resources on the Excellence Gateway and on-line learning.
Minimum Contract Level: supporting smaller independent training providers in collaborative contracting
This strand is targeted at smaller providers who are required to work in new partnership or contracting arrangements to meet the Skills Funding Agency's minimum contract level. A range of support in available including resources, web seminars and an online discussion forum, with tailored support from Partnership Advisers to facilitate the formation and ongoing development of new collaborative arrangements.
Organisational Health Check (OHC)
The strand will offer sector organisations an opportunity to receive objective feedback about their organisation, in relation to meeting their current and future strategic quality improvement requirements Organisational Health Check (OHC). A team of trained senior practitioners, drawn from the learning and skills sector, will tailor the health check to organisational needs. OHCs are offered on a priority basis for any organisation who has not received an Ofsted inspection in the last 2 years and who believes that an external view can support their vision and aims.
Peer Review and Development (PRD)
This strand will increase collaborative improvement activity through Peer Review and Development (PRD). It facilitates professionals to work together on a wide range of priorities and themes to improve provision and to take joint action to support each other to improve. PRD group members work together in validating self-assessment processes and judgements, use of performance measures, share effective practice and carry out collaborative development work. Groups will be supported by a team of PRD Advisers.
Prepared for inspection? Leading and demonstrating capacity to improve
This strand will help providers prepare for inspection by exploring the implications of the common inspection framework, how to effectively gather evidence of the impact of their work on learners as the core of their quality improvement activities, and how to present this evidence base at inspection. Developed and delivered in conjunction with Ofsted and the sector, this service offers a range of modules and workshops and an on-line learning resource with a focus on evidence based self-assessment and building and demonstrating capacity to improve.
Resource Utilisation
This strand will focus on developing and implementing measurable efficiency savings in organisations across the sector. The work will be delivered through a series of grant funding opportunities, workshops and online tools and implementation plans.
Staff Engagement and Wellbeing
This strand will work with providers and individuals through career coaching, workshops, webinars and e-learning to ensure the engagement and well being of staff through projects, think pieces and case studies. We will develop innovative work to promote the staff voice and promote Healthy FE in driving forward excellence.
Sustainable Development - leading and learning for a sustainable future
This strand will work with and support individuals and providers to build and promote learning and resources to respond to the challenges of sustainability and carbon reduction. It will focus on developing capacity and capability within the sector, and on sharing and embedding effective practice.
Technology for Organisational Success
This strand will support managers and leaders in organisations at both strategic and operational levels in developing a focused approach to maximising the potential benefits arising from the effective use of technology. Activities include grants for improvement activity, workshops and seminars.