Under the changes ESFA will remove the ‘Early
Intervention’ category and some of the restrictions
around support that currently entails.
Instead ESFA will run a pilot where any college will be
able to request expert help and support from the FE
Commissioner through a diagnostic assessment - a
process that was previously only open to colleges where
a new principal had been appointed - helping all
colleges to proactively request assistance much
earlier, where that may be helpful.
A new package of support, known as ‘Active Support’ has
also been announced that includes a new Curriculum
Efficiency and Financial Sustainability pilot
programme. This builds on the success of the School
Resource Management Adviser programme, which has so far
helped over 70 multi-academy trusts either save or
generate new income of over £35 million.
There will also be increased support available from
peer leaders through the National Leaders of Further
Education and of Governance programmes, and through
access to Local Provision Reviews.
The new suite of measures, and change of approach,
delivers on the Dame Mary Ney report recommendations
and will mean a significant shift in the work of both
ESFA and the FE Commissioner to build more supportive
relationships with all colleges.
This change in approach also supports the proposals
being shared through the Funding and Accountability
Consultation now under way.
Kirsty Evans, ESFA Director of Further Education said:
Throughout the pandemic, colleges have continued to
rise to the challenge of delivering education and
training either safely within institutions or
remotely.
To ensure we can continue to build back better and
recover, colleges will be critical to upskilling the
future workforce, so it feels timely to introduce a
more supportive and preventative, rather than
reactive, approach to intervention, as recommended in
Dame Mary Ney’s review.
Through a new Curriculum Efficiency and Financial
Sustainability pilot we are keen to learn from the
sector where efficiencies can be made, and we want to
share good practice, ideas and lessons we are
learning from the sector to help prevent colleges
going into financial decline.
Earlier this year, following successful trials, ESFA
announced the introduction of annual conversations with
colleges. The first of these began in the summer term
and will be completed during the 2021 to 2022 academic
year. These conversations will provide colleges with
the opportunity to showcase achievements and
outstanding practice and to raise any concerns.
As part of ESFA’s core function, it will still ensure
that there is an effective use of public funding, and
the safeguarding of the learner is a priority. ESFA
will continue to monitor and analyse the intelligence
and data that it collects, and intervene where it is
strictly necessary.
Looking ahead, the small proportion of colleges that do
need more intensive support through formal intervention
will be provided with an agreed package of support to
secure sustained improvement when they leave
intervention. The length of time a college spends in
intervention is expected to be shorter than in the
past.
Please refer to the college
oversight support and intervention guide to review
the full suite of measures and tools introduced.
