The Quality Champions Accreditation Programme is an innovative new programme from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), delivered by the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) starting in January 2009.  Building on an earlier programme, introduced by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI), this revised programme is designed to identify, develop and accredit the leaders in quality improvement across the further education system.  

The Quality Champions Accreditation Programme will develop and provide recognition of expertise in quality improvement as well as a professionally recognised and accredited learning and development route for participants. It will also provide opportunities for programme participants to share best practice with the wider sector.

The programme is intended to benefit managers and team leaders working within the FE sector, the organisations within which they work and the FE system as a whole.   By developing the knowledge and skills for leadership in quality improvement, the programme will help providers, through their champions of quality improvement, to build their capacity for self regulation and self improvement. Quality Champions will be key resources at the heart of the self-regulated sector, effecting change, securing improvement and inexorably raising standards.

Programme Aims:

• contribute to the development of strategic approaches to quality improvement
• enhance leadership in delivering an organisation’s quality improvement strategy
• promote critical understanding of the political, economic and educational policy context for quality improvement within further education
• broaden understanding of quality improvement methodologies and tools for quality improvement
• develop and refine skills of collective and individual reflection and collaborative learning in the process of solving problems
• develop attitudes, skills and behaviours for locating reflective practice at the heart of quality improvement.

The Certificate in Leading Quality Improvement

The programme is accredited by the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM), participants can be accredited at level 5 or level 7 of the Qualifications Credit Framework. Assessment is via completion of a reflective learning log, a completed piece of action research and professional discourse with an experienced assessor.

Programme delivery is at no cost to the participant but ILM registration costs, of £250, must be met by the individual or their employing organisation.