Use of the Framework

By Providers

Governing bodies, management and supervisory boards, and management teams will find Framework data and scores useful in setting and monitoring progress against their strategic goals and targets – and are encouraged to do so.
As the Framework develops, objective data and the developing ability to compare performance with other, similar providers will be essential tools to help identify and address instances of underperformance.
Providers will be expected to use Framework scores as part of the evidence for their self-assessment from the academic year 2008/09, and refer explicitly to its performance indicators in their self-assessment reports to be submitted in December 2009. Guidance on self-assessment and improvement planning is available from LSIS and a guidance document on using Framework scores in self-assessment is available on the Framework website.

In 2009/10 the LSC will use Framework scores and grades to inform, support and confirm decisions relating to the extent to which the LSC acts and intervenes. The LSC will continue to be responsible for commissioning until the new arrangements are put in place from April 2010.
Through the National Commissioning Framework, the LSC’s successor bodies and local authorities will take account of Framework for Excellence outputs when making commissioning decisions.
The LSC and its successor bodies will discharge their responsibilities in relation to monitoring the financial health of providers and their operation of financial control with reference to the requirements of the Framework.
Commissioning guidance for local authorities will be explicit in setting out how Framework for Excellence outputs should be considered alongside other performance data.

Learners, parents, employers and their intermediaries will have access, via a Framework for Excellence website, to a provider’s published grades and scores to help them make choice about their learning and training, allowing them access to more detailed information and ways of making comparisons across providers

Ofsted will draw on Framework indicators (as they are fully developed) to help inform its inspection selection process on an annual basis. It is possible that weak performance in a number of areas of the Framework could mean that an inspection is brought forward.
Ofsted inspectors will draw on Framework indicators to support post-16 inspection activities. The inspection handbook for further education and skills will include guidance for inspectors in using performance information from the Framework.