Help and support for colleges
Information about the range of help and support available from the Further Education Commissioner, Department for Education and delivery partners.
Applies to England
Improvement support available to the further education (FE) sector
The government is committed to supporting all colleges and designated institutions across the further education (FE) sector to achieve continuous improvement and better outcomes for learners, regardless of where they are on their improvement journey. It includes helping good providers become great, encouraging strong providers to share their expertise through peer leadership, and sometimes offering more intensive and targeted support where that is needed.
This page brings together information on the support currently available from the FE Commissioner, the Department for Education (DfE) more widely and our contracted delivery partners.
The tiered support offer
The college oversight, improvement and intervention guidance reflects a new approach in supporting improvement across the statutory FE sector through a tiered support offer.
1. Universal support
Universal support is intended to promote collaboration and foster continuous improvement. Resources and support such as effective practice guides, webinars and improvement events like ‘Just One Thing’ that already enable this self-improving culture across the sector will continue to be available to all colleges.
2. Targeted support
Targeted support will preserve and prioritise some forms of support for those colleges that would benefit most. Each regional improvement team, working closely with its dedicated Deputy FE Commissioner, will consider risks across a region and recommend support programmes to those colleges where most needed. Types of targeted support include health checks, curriculum efficiency and financial sustainability support (CEFSS), and peer mentoring from National Leaders of Further Education (NLFEs) or National Leaders of Governance (NLGs).
3. Intensive support
Intensive support will continue to be available in the small number of cases where concerns are persistent or there are significant challenges that cannot be resolved through improvement alone. This may include intervention if a relevant trigger has been met, a structure and prospects appraisal (SPA), or both, if restructuring is required.
Targeted and intensive support
Informal, supportive discussion with the FE Commissioner team
The FE Commissioner and their team of deputies and advisers have a wealth of FE practitioner experience and are available to support continuous improvement at all stages. If a college is identified as being at risk, this may lead to an informal, supportive discussion with the team to explore the most appropriate support available.
Health checks
A health check provides the college with a review of its operations. Health checks are prioritised for those colleges where the review is expected to have the greatest benefit. It usually consists of a 2-day visit by a small FE Commissioner team, based on a mutually agreed plan. At the end of the visit, the team will feedback to the college about what they have discovered. The college can then decide what further action is needed and whether to request further help and support from the team.
To express an interest in accessing a health check, contact fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
Curriculum efficiency and financial sustainability support
Curriculum efficiency and financial sustainability support is a tailored package designed to meet the requirements of all types of colleges flexibly, rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’. Its aim is to make a positive difference to those that may require help with costed curriculum and financial planning, and to raise awareness of effective practice that they can use and share within the sector.
Any suggested help and support actions are advisory. It is up to the individual college to decide, through their senior leadership team and board of governors, whether to implement any of the advice offered.
Guidance on the principal stages of effective practice in curriculum planning is available.
To express an interest in accessing CEFSS support, contact fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
Tailored support from the FE Commissioner team
Tailored support, prioritised for colleges that it will most benefit, can include help to understand and address specific issues or challenges, and to improve what is already working well in a college.
A key element of tailored support will be to signpost, promote and share examples of effective practice from the FE sector identified through, for example, the FE Commissioner team, regional improvement teams and annual strategic conversations.
To express an interest in accessing tailored support, contact fe.commissioner@education.gov.uk.
Support from National Leaders of Further Education
NLFEs are serving senior college leaders who have a strong track record of delivering improvement, both at their own colleges and in working with others. They provide peer-led mentoring and support, prioritised for colleges where it is expected to have the greatest benefit.
Further information and a list of current NLFEs is available.
To express an interest in accessing NLFE support, contact fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
Support from National Leaders of Governance
National Leaders of Governance (NLGs) for further education are experienced college governors and governance professionals with a strong record of supporting college improvement. They provide peer-led mentoring and improvement support to governing boards.
Further information and a list of current NLGs is available.
To express an interest in accessing NLG support, contact fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
FE leadership mentoring programme
The FE leadership mentoring programme supports existing and aspiring chief executives (CEOs), principals, finance directors, senior leaders and managers in colleges and designated institutions to develop and progress in their careers, creating a more diverse talent pipeline.
The FE leadership mentoring programme guidance offers more information on how to apply to the programme and request a mentor.
Support for recruitment to senior leadership and board appointments
Support is available to governing bodies and their recruitment and selection panels for CEOs and principals, other senior posts and chair of board appointments.
Where it might be helpful, a request can be made for a member of the FE Commissioner team or NLG to join a selection panel to support decision-making.
To request support, email fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
Local provision review
FE Commissioner local provision reviews (LPRs) assess options for changing the provision or structure of multiple institutions in a local area. LPRs make recommendations on the best way of achieving long-term sustainable provision.
To request further information on LPRs, email fec.operations@education.gov.uk
Improvement review
An improvement review is a mandated form of targeted support that takes place after DfE has issued a college with a letter to improve for reasons of persistent, significant or escalating risks, as described in chapter 2 of the College oversight, improvement and intervention guidance.
The FE Commissioner will assess the college’s capacity to address the weaknesses identified and draw up a tailored plan setting out specific areas for improvement.
Neither the plans resulting from an improvement review nor the letter to improve will be published.
FE Commissioner-led structure and prospects appraisals
Structure and prospects appraisals (SPAs) provide a framework for colleges considering options to restructure. The FE Commissioner team can provide support to do this in a clear, objective and evidence-based way.
Further information on SPAs is available.
To request further information or a discussion about a SPA, email fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
Universal support and resources
‘Just one thing’
Available to newly appointed chairs, principals and governance professionals by invitation from the FE Commissioner’s office.
‘Just one thing’ is a strand of support led by NLFEs and NLGs. Each year’s cohort of newly appointed chairs, principals and governance professionals is invited to an induction event at which seasoned postholders share ‘just one thing’ they wished they had known when first in post.
The events aim to:
- share learning
- encourage networking
- promote understanding of the importance of principals working closely and effectively with their chair and governance professional
View interviews of NLGs and NLFEs sharing their learning.
‘Just one more thing’
Available to principals, chairs, governance professionals and other senior managers and key strategic leads by invitation from the FE Commissioner’s office.
‘Just one more thing’ is a spin-off series of the ‘Just one thing’ events held each year to share effective sector practice.
NLFE colleges host these events, which focus on themes identified by the sector. All colleges receive an invitation to apply for a place.
Email fe.commissioner@education.gov.uk to request more information about this year’s events.
Compare your curriculum efficiency
Available to all colleges and designated institutions.
Colleges can compare the key financial data from their latest financial returns with that of other colleges using a spreadsheet available on the View your education data (VYED) website. Comparisons can be made to diverse types of colleges using the in-built filters.
Effective practice guides
- Powerful pedagogy: effective practice (PDF, 737 KB, 67 pages)
This is a focused and in-depth exploration of teaching and learning that sets out pedagogical principles and practice from and for the FE sector. It is intended for use by senior leaders in further education with responsibility for the quality of teaching and learning and the continuing professional development of teaching staff.
Suitable for FE colleges and sixth-form colleges.
This guidance will be useful for those with responsibility for managing the estate of an FE or sixth-form college, including buildings and land.
Suitable for all college corporations.
This guidance sets out legal and regulatory requirements and recommended governance practice for FE and sixth-form college corporations. Aspects of the guidance may also be useful for designated institutions.
Suitable for FE colleges and designated institutions.
Guidance on preparing and submitting the CFFR, with supporting commentary.
Suitable for all providers of education and training that receive the adult skills fund (ASF) from the Secretary of State for Education acting through DfE.
The adult education budget was replaced by the ASF in July 2023, following the skills for jobs consultation.
The purpose of the ASF is to support adult learners in non-devolved areas to gain skills that will lead to meaningful, sustained and relevant employment, or enable them to progress to further learning that will deliver that outcome.
Suitable for all college corporations.
This guidance sets out key principles of good practice to support the FE sector to improve the consistency, quality and effectiveness of in-year reporting of financial performance. College finance directors or chief finance officers should periodically review the format and content of their management accounts and consult governors and senior leaders as to whether they meet their needs. This guidance can serve as a reference point to help inform this process.
Suitable for FE colleges and sixth-form colleges.
This guidance sets out the methodology used to calculate the revised FE Commissioner financial benchmarks as per the FE Commissioner’s letter to the sector in February 2021.
- Effective practice in approaching cultural change in colleges (PDF, 274 KB, 38 pages)
Suitable for FE colleges and sixth-form colleges.
This guidance sets out learning from and for the sector about principles and practice.
Suitable for FE colleges, sixth-form colleges and designated institutions.
This effective practice guide supports FE governing bodies in undertaking appraisals of senior postholders and governance professionals. It is also designed to ensure that there is regular and constructive review of the performance of governing body chairs.
Other helpful resources
Jisc cyber security
Suitable for all college corporations.
16 questions you need to ask to assess your cyber security posture is a useful checklist for governors to use to assess their college’s cyber security.
Support available from DfE
Independent business review
Suitable for FE colleges and lenders.
Independent business reviews (IBRs) are intended to establish clarity on a college’s position and provide a robust and independent assessment of the options for its future. They are a tool for colleges and their lenders and funders. IBRs can be commissioned by colleges, lenders or, in exceptional circumstances, DfE.
Further information is available in the college oversight, support and intervention guidance.
Support available from our delivery partners
Crown Commercial Service: procurement support
Open to all colleges.
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) can help colleges to procure common goods efficiently and economically. By leveraging CCS’s commercial agreements and the collective purchasing power of public sector organisations, colleges can benefit from competitive pricing for high-quality products. This can provide them with potentially significant savings against commercially available rates.
CCS also simplifies compliance with procurement regulations, offering a range of services, including energy and information technology, through easily accessible frameworks. This allows colleges to focus on educational excellence while CCS handles the complexities of procurement, delivering value for money and saving them time.
Further information about CCS’s procurement support and products and services is available.
Education Training Foundation: leadership and governance programmes
Open to all colleges.
Education Training Foundation (ETF) delivers a wide variety of learning and development programmes for leaders and governors. These include programmes intended to:
- build the skills and strategic capability of senior leaders and governors
- strengthen how leaders approach curriculum planning and quality assurance
- develop middle managers and prospective senior leaders to create a diverse pipeline of future leaders
- support senior finance officers to ensure that providers are effective in managing financial risks and have a sustainable financial model
- support the development of governance professionals as strategic enablers
Further information is available on the ETF website.
Governors for Schools: information on recruiting governors for college boards
Open to all colleges.
It is important that a college board is made up of those who have the skills, knowledge and experience to ensure strong governance, a high-performing college and student success.
More information is available on the Governors for Schools website. DfE guidance on recruiting an FE governor is also available.
Education Support: help to focus on mental wellbeing
Open to all colleges.
The Education Support service, funded by DfE, is for principals and CEOs of FE colleges, and senior leaders reporting directly to them.
It offers a safe and confidential space to talk about and process what is going on at work. Participants work with qualified and experienced supervisors to focus on their mental wellbeing and develop new coping strategies to feel more fulfilled and in control. The 6 free one-to-one sessions are conducted by Zoom or telephone and completely confidential. For those who need it, there is access to counselling, delivered by qualified British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited counsellors.
Contact us
If you have a query or would like further guidance, discuss this with your regional improvement team lead or email the FE Commissioner team at fec.operations@education.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
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Added guidance about the 3 tiers of support, as outlined in 'College oversight, improvement and intervention'.
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Added 'Help to recruit governors for college board' to the 'Support available from our delivery partners' section.
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Removed 'Help to recruit governors for college board' section as the Department for Education's contract with Peridot has now ended.
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Added link to the 'Effective senior post holder appraisal and chair performance review'.
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Added 'Powerful Pedagogy: Effective Practice' to 'Other helpful resources'.
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Updated the information about Just one thing. Added new information about Just one more thing and procurement support from the Crown Commercial Service. Removed out-of-date information about the principals intervention support group and the local skills improvement fund.
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Added 'Adult education budget: effective practice guide' to the 'Other helpful resources' section.
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Added 'Effective practice in approaching cultural change in colleges' guide to 'Other helpful resources' section.
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We have updated the page to improve the layout and removed content which is no longer relevant.
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Updated 'Active Support available from the FE Commissioner' section to add information about the further education leadership mentoring programme.
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Updated the page to reflect that diagnostic assessments are no longer available and to share links to the recently published estates and curriculum guides.
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Added link to recruit an FE governor page.
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Updated to include information on the Curriculum Efficiency and Financial Sustainability Support (CEFSS).
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First published.