Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Rejected
We also recommend that all prison Governors are given the appropriate training by the Ministry...
Recommendation
We also recommend that all prison Governors are given the appropriate training by the Ministry of Justice to acquire the skills to manage the contracts with their education providers more effectively. (Paragraph 72) 44 Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that extending DPS contracts beyond two years would limit Governor flexibility and undermine the aim of widening education provision.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
We accept this recommendation in principle. We want governors to be more involved in performance discussions with education providers and our current approach is to ensure they have the support of specialist trained and accredited staff to manage the prison education contracts and provide advice and guidance. In addition to support from trained contract managers, new Head of Education, Skills and Work posts are being trialled in up to 17 prisons. These will play a key role in supporting governors by leading and setting strategic direction for education within prisons, while holding providers to account. Candidates will be required to have significant middle or senior leadership experience within an education setting, as well as substantial teaching and curriculum development experience. Training will be provided to all of these post- holders on the structure of prison education from a contract management perspective (PEF/PES/DPS), alongside training on working with the commercial sector. The current contract management structure is being reviewed to ensure consistent coverage across the estate.
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