This course aims to empower delegates in the use and understanding of quality assurance to audit and develop extending learning provision. In this way, delegates will be able to assist learning organisations to better strategically plan, respond to the needs of the community, integrate their provision and provide evidence of impact on the learners they serve.

This training is available in 3 forms: 

1. Local Critical Friend Strategic Planning Workshop

This is a half day workshop, which outlines the role and skills required of the Critical Friend. In addition it will provide practical tips on how to engage with the various tools that QiSS has to offer, these include the quality development frameworks for study support and extended services.

2. Modular Course Structure 

The Local Critical Friend Training Modular Course consists of three modules, these can be taken successively or separately. If taken together this constitutes a one day course.

Module 1 – Being a Critical Friend, knowledge and skills

This module explores the role of of a Critical Friend and the benefits to schools, centres, consortia and other Study Support/Extended Services settings of engaging in a relationship that is focused on improving quality through self reflection. 

Module 2 – Using Quality Assurance Frameworks for School Improvement

This module is intended to help delegates understand the uses of quality assurance frameworks for school development and improvement. It will focus on the ELO and QDF, used in Study Support and Extended Services. However, the underlying principles are applicable to a variety of quality development frameworks and self evaluation.

Module 3 – The role of the Critical Friend in the QiSS/QES quality recognition schemes.

This module is intended to help delegates understand the QiSS/QES recognition schemes and the role of the CF in supporting the development of a portfolio of evidence and the paperwork required for the recognition process. In addition it will address the role of the Critical friend, prior to, during and following a recognition meeting.

3. Local Critical Friend Training

Session 1 Context, Knowledge & Skills

This is a half day session for prospective Critical Friends to develop their skills and knowledge. It consists of trainer lead discussions and practical exercises designed to give delegates a thorough understanding of the tools they will use and the challenges they may face in undertaking the role. It will also develop their skills as Critical Friends, in forming judgements in relation to evidence presented, negotiation and questioning skills. The session will include a Practice Focused Workshop in which delegates put into practice the skills they have developed using real case examples.

Session 2 Working with Partners

This is a whole day session split into two parts. The first part begins with a short review of the lessons learnt in the course so far. In the second part of the day delegates will be supported in working directly with the organisation they wish to critically friend.

Delegates will assist their organisations in reviewing their provision, identifying areas of good practice and action planning. By the end of the day, delegates will then have begun the process of drawing evidence together whilst engaging with the QiSS/QES quality framework to produce a portfolio, which is the basis for external Recognition.