The Diploma in Public Services

CHANGES TO THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

The last few weeks have seen a number of changes to the Diploma programme.

On 7th June the government announced the withdrawal of the final three Diplomas (the Diploma in Science, the Diploma in Languages and International Communications and the Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences).scheduled for first teaching in September 2011.

This announcement does not affect Phase 1-3 Diplomas or current Diploma learners. The Diploma in Public Services, along with the other 13 Diplomas from Phases 1-3, has been developed and will continue to be taught in September 2010.

On 25th June, two further announcements were made. Diploma entitlement by 2013 will be removed, leaving schools and colleges free to choose how many, and which, Diploma lines of learning they offer; the development of the Extended Diploma will be stopped.

Again these announcements do not affect the delivery of the Diploma in Public Services from September 2010. On the contrary, the most recent announcements were accompanied by a number of expressions of support for the 14 remaining Diplomas.

Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools, said: "That does not mean young people presently studying for a Diploma, or who plan to start one in the future, should think again, and I want to reassure them.

Ending (entitlement) will free schools and colleges to offer the lines of learning they want and that they know will meet the needs of their students. It will allow them to specialise in certain lines if they wish, and it will make it is easier for some centres to provide Diplomas."

Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "ASCL strongly supports Diplomas but believes their complex structure can be simplified and this is a move in the right direction."

Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: "AoC is pleased to see that the Government is committed to supporting Diplomas as part of a rich mix of qualifications providing choice for young people. Colleges have invested significant time and resources in the development of their Diploma offer and 98 per cent of colleges are planning to offer Diplomas from this September."

As part of the new Government's review of spending, funding for Diploma Development Partnerships will be withdrawn by the end of September. Meanwhile DDPs can continue to work with employers that they are currently engaged with, but are not to proactively approach new employers. From the end of September, therefore, Employers wishing to support delivery of Diplomas are advised to contact schools through Education Business Partnership Organisations, to discuss how they might be able to offer their knowledge and expertise in supporting delivery. Contact details for these organisations will be on this website, together with updates about where the Diploma in Public Services is being taught from September.

Employers, Sector Skills Councils, the Education and Employers' Taskforce and DDPs can continue to support the Diploma using their own funding and resources, where possible. It is government supported communications and support for the Diploma that will stop.

As the DDP for the Diploma in Public Services we will do everything we can to support you. If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact us at info@diplomainpublicservices.co.uk| if we are unable to answer your query then we will do our best to put you in contact with someone who can.