An introduction March 2008

background A new relationship between Government and its agents and FE Providers based on mutual respect, trust and reduced bureaucracy. Simplification of the FE system. Improved communication and the creation of a single gateway.

objectives To define and promote standards for producing good quality communications for the FE system. To ensure that communications are effective, timely and targeted at the right audience. To help authors articulate policy clearly so that providers can easily identify the action they need to take.

membership The Panels members come from a range of FE providers across the country: Colleges Sixth Form Colleges Voluntary Sector Independent Training Providers. The Chair is Sally Dicketts, principal of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College.

scope Communications from DIUS, DCSF and LSC where FE providers are a key audience: Consultation documents Policy statements Guidance and good practice Ministers letters.

successes so far Established in March 2007, so far the Panel has reviewed more than 20 documents including: World Class Skills: Implementing the Leitch Review of Skills in England Framework for Excellence: How the framework will work Statement of Priorities FE International Strategy A summary of Train to Gain – a Plan for Growth Informal adult learning – shaping the way ahead LSC Funding Guidance Diploma communications pack for schools, colleges and connexions.

how we work The Panel meets monthly in London to review specific communications, discuss trends and observations, develop guidelines and make recommendations. In between meetings, the Panel is happy to consider documents by and make recommendations in a shorter time frame. The Panel works flexibly to accommodate pressures and assist authors when a communication needs to be developed quickly.

how to work with us Build the Panel into your planning process – the earlier we review a document, the better, so recommendations can be made and implemented easily. When you are planning a communication, ask us for advice about timing, practitioners concerns and their perceptions of the issue. Test out your key messages on a representative sample of your target audience. Ask us about the most effective way of disseminating information. Consulting the Panel offers a useful and convenient opportunity to plan for effective communication with FE providers. All documents submitted to the Panel for review will be considered in confidence.

what makes for a good communication? The primary audience is easily identified: To reach the right person in an organisation, the main audience should be clearly sign-posted. Dont assume that everyone will want to read a document from start to finish – FE people receive a lot of information and they will thank you for indicating which sections are for which audience. A clear focus – is a document: -for consultation? -for action? -for information? If we cant easily tell which, the chances are that your audience wont either and you wont get the response you are expecting.

what makes for a good communication? Timing which makes sense, so that related communications are sequenced and the relationships between them are clear. Clear and simple key messages, presented in a way which makes it clear that they are the key messages. Good navigation – a well-designed approach to enable the reader to find their way around the document, extract the information they need and know where to look if they want more eg. A web address for online information. Jargon free language with a glossary, if necessary, so the document is accessible to those without specialist knowledge eg. governors.

contacts The Panel welcomes enquiries and feedback on its work. To get in touch, please the Chair, Sally Dicketts: