governance good practice guide

The DfES provides strategic lead and sets overall policy framework for improvement across the FE system. Establishes programme performance management and accountability arrangements for national partner organisations.

The QIA lead development and implementation of a single, integrated improvement strategy for the FE system and brokers partnership working within and between agencies and provider organisations. Commissions services and products to help provider organisations implement initiatives and improve quality. Supports providers through tailored programmes of improvement.

The LSC has the primary role for planning, funding and securing high quality provision. LSC has the key responsibility for performance measurement across the learning and skills system and must assure itself that the provision it funds is (at least) satisfactory and improving over time. It will withdraw funding from poor quality provision.

From April 2007, a new single inspectorate is responsible for inspecting quality and standards, using the CIF. It produces inspection reports, which give providers objective evidence on which to base their improvement plans - identifying excellence and promoting understanding of what works. Inspection will be risk proportionate - identifying provision that needs improvement and making judgements about the effectiveness of providers ' self-assessments.

The CEL provide leadership development, informed by research and tailored leadership, to support provider organisations.
It develops system-wide strategies for succession planning, leadership and management capacity building (including governance).

The Sector Skills Council for the education and training sector, LLUK, provides a strategic perspective for workforce planning and development within the FE system. It defines national occupational standards for those operating across the system and collects workforce data and provides analysis to provide better future workforce planning.

Jobcentre Plus/DWP is responsible for planning, funding and procuring high-quality welfare-to-work provision. It assures the quality of provision through its Contract Management and Quality Frameworks and applies a performance measurement regime that has employability and employment at its heart. Jobcentre Plus/DWP works with the inspectorates and the QIA to ensure that assessment and improvement activities support the contractual agencies.

The Skills for Business Network is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the network of 25 Sector Skills Councils.  SSCs are employer-led, independent organisations that cover specific sectors across the UK and provide employers with a unique forum to express the skills and productivity needs of their sector. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) underpins the network and is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the SSCs.

Colleges and providers have the primary responsibility for improving quality. They must routinely and regularly assess all aspects of their provision and use the findings of self-assessment as the basis for continuous self-improvement.

The Business Educational and Communications Technology Agency (BECTA) leads the strategic development and delivery of the e-strategy across learning and skills.  It supports this strategy and its partners by providing insight into the developing use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based on evidence and an understanding of innovative technologies and practice.

The QCA maintains and develops the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations.  It accredits and monitors academic and vocational qualifications in colleges and providers.  It monitors the activities of the awarding bodies.

The awarding bodies develop vocational qualifications based on national occupational standards - in partnership with the SSCs, employers, providers and stakeholders.  They approve colleges and providers to deliver their qualifications and monitor the quality and integrity of the assessment services of colleges and providers.