The Diploma in Public Services

High quality delivery of the new Diplomas from the outset is vital. To help achieve this the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has in place a ‘Gateway’ process to assess proposals for Diploma delivery.

 

The Gateway process involves consortia presenting their bids to deliver a Diploma line. Consortia can consist of a wide variety of delivery partners, including 

Schools	Employers
Colleges	Local authorities
Higher Education	Work placement providers
Private training providers	Education Business Partnerships

Bids are assessed by external consultants, monitored by the Diploma Development Partnership Team and reviewed by Regional Panels.

Bids have to meet defined criteria in relation to the partnership, the integration and planning of delivery, resources and the quality of information, advice and guidance.

The first ever Gateway took place for the first five Diplomas between autumn 2006 and spring 2007. The Diploma in Public Services has had the results from the first Gateway open to consortia for this line to deliver in September 2010.

The breakdown of consortia areas and results can be found below

 Gateway 4

Any consortia wishing to start delivering Diplomas will have to apply through the Gateway process. This year will be Gateway 4 which starts in September 2009. All consortia planning to compile a bid should refer to the DCSF website for guidance on the Gateway process, the application form and core advice specific to the Diploma in Public Services. The DDP will post a link to the correct page once this is available.

In Gateway 4, DCSF are asking local authorities to give information on their planning for the Diploma Entitlement. You can find the submission form alongside the application guidance by clicking here|. This document sets out some key aspects of the planning, asks local authorities how their planning is taking shape, what barriers they face, and how DCSF can support them.

DCSF has released a consortium support guide for delivery 2010 and beyond, which sets out the support available to those delivering at a local level, including consortia leads, local authority 14-19 leads and school and college leaders and managers. To download a copy of this guide click here | For information on professional development support please go to the diploma support programme website|

 A list of possible employment areas for the Diploma in Public Services can be found below.