Provider Access Policy

Our provider access policy tells you our arrangements for providers talking with our beneficiaries.

Introduction

This policy statement sets out the College’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to students at the College for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer.

This complies with the College’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Student Entitlement

All students are entitled to:

  • Find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point.

  • Hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through group discussions, live online information sessions via Teams, visits to providers and taster events.

  • Understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses and be supported through this process.

  • Opt out of the activities and information sessions.

These provider encounters will be scheduled during the main college hours and the provider will be given a reasonable amount of time to, as a minimum:

  • Share information about both the provider and the approved technical education qualification and apprenticeships that the provider offers.

  • Explain what career routes those options could lead to.

  • Provide insights into what it might be like to learn or train with that provider (including the opportunity to meet staff and students from the provider).

  • Answer questions from students.

Meaningful Provider Encounters

One encounter is defined as one meeting / session between students and one provider. We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all students using the “Making it meaningful” checklist.

Meaningful online engagement is also an option, and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our students.

Previous Providers

In previous terms we have invited the following providers from the local area to speak to our students:

  • North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College (NWSLC)

  • Ask Apprenticeships

Destinations of our Students

Last year our graduates moved to a range of providers in their local areas after college:

  • Brooksby College

  • Loughborough College

  • Stephenson College

  • Stanmore College

  • Leamington College

Management of Provider Access Request

Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact Keleigh Windram (Careers Lead) using the contact information below:

Telephone: 01509 815696

Email: careerslead@homefieldcollege.ac.uk

The College reserves the right to decline requests for a number of reasons, including (but not restricted to) the following:

  • If such attendance would provide an imbalanced view of available provision (e.g. several apprenticeship providers at an event and no colleges).

  • If the provider’s input would not be relevant to a particular event if the request is not timely (e.g. students have already heard from similar providers during the year, or if they are involved in end-of-year exams).

  • If the information is not seen to be in the best interest of students or there are concerns about the ethics or quality of the provision. In such cases, the Careers Leader would inform the provider of this decision and the reason why. If the provider wishes to appeal this decision, they can contact the Principal. If the provider wishes to appeal the decision received from the Principal, they should contact the Lead Trustee at the College.

Opportunities for access

The College offers the provider encounters required by law and a number of additional events integrated into our careers programme. We will offer providers an opportunity to come into college to speak to students or their parents or carers.

Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

Two encounters for students during the ‘third key phase’ that are mandatory for the College to provide but optional for students to attend. In the current academic year, NWSLC hosted an information session via Teams on their technical courses and apprenticeships on 18/01/23. Ask Apprenticeships are coming in May ’23 to talk about traineeships.

In addition to the mandatory encounters, we will offer providers further opportunities to come into college to speak to students or their parents / carers.

Opportunities include: 

  1. Live Webinars

  2. Apprenticeship Workshops

  3. Lunch Time Career Talks

  4. In college Workshops

The College’s policy on safeguarding sets out our approach to allowing providers into college as visitors to talk to our students.

Premises and Facilities

The College will make classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. The college will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader or a member of their team.

Meaningful online engagement is also an option and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our students.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature with the Careers Lead.

Complaints

Any complaints with regard to provider access can be raised following the College complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk.

Approval & Review

This policy will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis, to ensure that current legislation and best practice is recorded.

Approved by: Senior Management Team
Last Updated: Feb 2023
Staff Lead: Careers Lead