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The voice of specialist further education

Health check for specialist FE colleges

The Natspec specialist FE health check helps new or recently established colleges to reflect on the quality of their provision with the support of an external expert, at an early stage in their journey. The health check is most effective once you have all your key systems and processes in place and your provision is up and running. It’s a great way to take stock after a busy period of development and check that you have ‘all your ducks in a row’. That’s why we recommend the service to all new Natspec members as they join us.

Working with an experienced Natspec associate, you will have the chance to consider what you already have in place and be supported to establish priorities for development or improvement. All health checks cover the following key areas:

  • the curriculum including preparing for adulthood
  • staffing including staff development
  • quality systems including the role of governance
  • safeguarding including Prevent.

Colleges can request further aspects of provision are included in the health check. They can also work with their associate to decide how much emphasis is placed on each of the four main areas.

If your college is more established and your senior leadership team is more experienced, you are more likely to benefit from a Natspec quality review or bespoke consultancy.

What specialist colleges tell us about the Natspec health check

“We are a very small provision with a limited budget, but we believe the health check was worth every penny. We highly recommend the format, approach and style of reporting to all colleges.” Natspec member

“Our associate was very useful and really helped us see things from a college perspective rather than a school one, which is what we are more used to.” Natspec Member

“We found the health check to be very thorough and clear. A very positive experience and incredibly valuable to us. This will ultimately improve the quality of education for our provision.” Natspec Member

Read more about the benefits of a health check from a college perspective.

How does the health check work?

Once we receive your health check request, we will put you in touch with one of the associates from our health check team. Together you will agree dates for a visit and plan a two-day schedule to enable the associate to have a good oversight of your provision. This might include review of documents, session visits, a tour of the site, and meetings with key personnel, including staff in different roles, governors or trustees and learners. We recommend a senior leader takes part in some of these review activities as this can help you build confidence in self-assessing your provision. After the visit, your associate will write up a comprehensive report which sets out an accurate description of your current position and offers advice on the next steps you might take.

Costs

£1,500 + VAT and associate expenses, payable as a one-off fee on receipt of your report. Cost includes a brief initial planning discussion with the associate, a two-day visit and a report.

Request a health check

To request a health check for your provision, please complete the form below. If you have any other queries, please email transform@natspec.org.uk

We aim to respond to your request within five working days. Please note that to ensure quality of service, we require sufficient time between confirming details of your requirements and delivery of the training / consultancy support. We therefore request that form submissions are done at least 1 month advance of desired date of delivery.

    Organisation and contact details

    Additional information

    Finance Details

    You will not be invoiced until it has been confirmed that you are proceeding with the service but you must have the authorisation to continue with this request.

    Once submitted below, a member of our team will be in touch shortly. Thank you.

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