what is self-regulation It may be said - in very broad terms - that self-regulation for FE means colleges and other providers - individually and collectively - policing their own standards of performance in all areas of their activity, reassuring Government and the public that quality and effectiveness of provision will be improved through effective self-assessment and that levels of external regulation and intervention can be significantly reduced.
It would involve all learning and skills providers sharing the collective responsibilities of self-regulation by:
- defining and signing up to shared values, codes of conduct and operational frameworks
- developing and operating policies and procedures for effective and rigorous self-assessment, self-improvement, risk-based assessment principles, peer review, support and intervention, discipline and sanctions.
This implies a transformational leadership style in which all those responsible for policy, strategy and implementation across the whole of the FE system work together closely and optimise their collective expertise for the good of the learners they all service. The various reviews and consequent reforms of the FE system, coupled with the Government's intention to deliver value for money, and calls from the FE system to reduce the burden of bureaucracy and 'over-inspection and audit', present an opportunity for FE to show itself as strong, vibrant and well able to manage its own financial affairs and quality performance.
The intention is that self-regulation would be phased in systematically over time, progressing step by step as each of the agreed changes in regulatory accountabilities is fully embedded.
The preferred organisational option for taking forward self-regulation within the FE system is a combined accountability model, where AoC, ALP (Association of Learning Providers), LANDEX and the 157 Group work together to create a new jointly-owned resource to regulate the sector. Performance interventions will be the first functions to be transferred into the sector - late Summer 2007.
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