Excellence Gateway
The numbered points below are specific to this section of the Guide. If you would like to look at any particular topic, please click the links below which will display the relevant text and tools. If you would like the full version of the Guide, click the Home tab and select either the Word or the PDF option.
The following links will help providers strengthen their self-assessment processes and improve key elements.
LSC: Self-assessment: Updated Guidance for the Further Education System, September 2008 This publication identifies key principles and processes that should inform self-assessment. It also links to case studies as examples of how some providers are seeking to develop their approach to self-assessment in response to policy and regulatory changes.
LSC: Quality improvement and self-assessment, May 2005 Generic guidance intended for all providers with a particular focus on both self-assessment and quality improvement planning. Highlights features of effective self-assessment and is a useful starting point for those new to self-assessment and improvement planning.
Ofsted: Learner centred self-assessment, date not given Ofsted guidance intended to help providers move beyond ‘satisfactory’ performance and build better practice. The focus is on evaluating current practice and managing the self-assessment process to bring about improvement.
DWP, Provider Guidance, 2008 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has specific generic guidance for providers of Jobcentre Plus programmes. The guidance is designed to meet both DWP and Ofsted requirements.
Welsh Assembly: Quality Handbook 2007 Useful for providers who deliver in Wales and for those wishing to compare the guidance for England with that provided in Wales. Focus on effective self-assessment processes and has some suggested formats for self-assessment reports and improvement plans. Has useful guidance on how to write evaluative statements.
Excellence Gateway: Self-assessment and the Framework for Excellence case studies, May 2008 The case studies focus on how six providers currently approach the production of their annual self-assessment reports. Some show where and how Framework for Excellence is starting to be embedded within the providers' self-assessment process. One case study used the 'balanced scorecard' approach to self-assessment. Some case studies have useful guidance and checklists, particularly in relation to Learner Voice Evaluation.
Excellence Gateway: Ofsted, case studies on self-assessment: good practice examples The case studies cover a range of work based learning providers and adult and community learning services. The case studies contain useful information on how individual providers manage their self-assessment processes to ensure quality improvement.
LSC, From here to entitlement-a self-assessment toolkit for 14-19 partnerships, August 2008 This toolkit aims to describe what a good 14-19 partnership looks like and provides a comprehensive series of checklists to support self-assessment across a partnership.
LSC: Employer engagement toolkit, 2005 Although aimed at FE colleges, the toolkit provides a comprehensive series of self-assessment checklists covering all aspects of employer engagement. The checklists help providers assess their current activity and plan for improvement.
World Class Skills, Developing responsive provision, 2008 Aimed at 14-19 Diploma consortia, but applicable to all providers. Provides a diagnostic tool for all aspects of employer engagement and allows providers to self-assess and plan for improvement.
Ofsted: Good practice database Provides guidance on good practice in equal opportunities including community cohesion, complaints, monitoring and policies and procedures. Each section outlines provider strengths and weaknesses and includes a self-assessment checklist and suggestions for improvement.
LSC: Race equality in employment standard, October 2006 This publication offers a simple coherent framework for embedding race equality into employment and Human Resources across an organisation. It sets out clear performance indicators to support both audit and self-assessment.
Excellence Gateway: A self-assessment toolkit for Every Child Matters Developed by Nelson and Colne College, but available to all providers. The toolkit can be downloaded via a link in this case study publication.
LSC, Guidance for Colleges on the Self-Assessment of their Finance Management and Governance Framework, 2006 Has useful guidance on how this area impacts of self-assessment grades for Leadership and Management.
LSC: Standards for Health and Safety, 2006 Sets core standards required for learners in employment or on placements. Easy to turn into a checklist to self-assess against.
DIUS: Prior Attainment and Individualised Learner Record (ILR), Good Practice Guide Guidance to help providers assess their current actions and identify ways to improve their data. The publication includes case studies of best practice.
Audit Commission, Improving information to support decision-making: standards for better quality data, 2007 Intended to encourage public bodies to improve the quality of the data they use in decision-making. Offers clear and concise standards based on existing best practice.
JISC Regional Support Centre North West: A Self-assessment Toolkit for Learning Resource Services in Further Education Colleges in England This toolkit covers the requirements of the Ofsted Common Inspection Framework and ‘Every Child Matters’. It consists of a series of quality indicators and key prompts to help providers self-assess.
Work-based learning DCSF/DIUS: skills for life This website offers guidance on both self-assessment and preparing for inspection. There are links to the framework for self-assessing Skills for Life and work-based learning.
You can find this page and download any referenced resources from the Excellence Gateway at http://excellence.org.uk/self-assessment-guide.
