DRAFT EWC Strategic Plan 2018-2021

DRAFT EWC Strategic
Plan
2018-2021

Strategic Plan 2018-21

Introduction

The Education Workforce Council (EWC) was established by the Education (Wales) Act 2014. Under
the Act, the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) was reconfigured and renamed to become
the Education Workforce Council. The EWC came into being on 1 April 2015.

The strategic plan 2018-21 has been developed following a comprehensive review of current
activities and processes. The review process also involved macro and micro environment scanning to
take account of changes in the internal and external environment which will impact upon the
organisation and the wider education workforce. The current environment within education is fast-
paced and evolving. The plan seeks to reflect the EWC priorities for the coming years, ensuring they
are aligned with national policy and that they effectively support practitioners and safeguard
learners and the general public.

We want to work with all registrants to persuade them of the benefits of professional regulation and
registration with the EWC. We will demonstrate to our new registrant groups that we consistently
emphasise the diverse composition of the workforce and act as advocates for them, working to
attain parity of support and recognition for their contribution to education in Wales.

Through the duration of this plan, it is hoped that the remit of the EWC will increase to bring it more
in line with counterpart regulatory bodies, moving towards the development of the full suite of
regulatory functions, including professional standards for all registrant groups. This will serve to
further enhance our offering to registrants, ensuring consistency of approach whilst demonstrating
value for money. The extended Register will provide a richer picture of the diverse education
workforce, and this valuable data will assist in identifying key trends and informing workforce policy.

We will continue to support Welsh Government with workforce planning and development, and will
be responsive to assisting with ad hoc project-based work to support policy development.

In order to ensure the plan is fit for purpose, we have consulted with our key stakeholders including
Council members and staff, teaching unions and the wider community.

Our Vision

To be a credible, independent regulator and strategic partner in the education sector in Wales.

Our Mission

We are a national, independent regulator, ensuring professionalism and high standards of conduct
and competence within the education workforce.

We regulate on behalf of the public and support education professionals in a variety of roles
including teachers and support staff, from the foundation phase through to further education, youth
work and work-based learning.

We are a credible source of data and intelligence on the education workforce in Wales

Legislative framework

Under the Education (Wales) Act 2014, the principal aims of the council are to:

      Contribute to improving the standards of teaching and the quality of learning in Wales

      Maintain and improve standards of professional conduct amongst teachers and others who
       support teaching and learning in Wales

      Safeguard the interests of learners, parents and the public, and maintain public trust and
       confidence in the education workforce

Under the Education (Wales) Act, the Council’s main functions are to:

          Establish and maintain a Register of Education Practitioners

          Maintain a Code of Professional Conduct and Practice for the education workforce

          Investigate and hear allegations of unacceptable professional conduct, serious
           professional incompetence or relevant criminal offences that might call into question a
           registered practitioner’s fitness to practise

          Accredit programmes of initial teacher education and monitor their compliance with
           national criteria

          Provide advice to the Welsh Government and others on matters related to the education
           workforce and teaching and learning

          Monitor Induction and hear appeals (where applicable) for teachers

The Education Workforce Council is not a Welsh Government sponsored body; it is funded by
registration fees, but receives grant funding from the Welsh Government for activities undertaken
on its behalf which include:

             Administering the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

             Administering funding, tracking and recording arrangements for Induction

          Developing and hosting the Professional Learning Passport (PLP)

             Hearing Induction appeals and issuing Induction certificates

          Accrediting programmes of initial teacher education

Structure

The Education Workforce Council has fourteen members. Seven members are directly appointed
through the Welsh Government public appointments system and seven members are appointed
following nomination from a range of stakeholders. Council members are appointed for a period of
four years. The Council sets the strategic direction for the EWC and is responsible for its governance.
In order to conduct our fitness to practise function, the EWC also manages a pool of over 40
panellists. As part of our work on accrediting programmes of initial teacher education, the EWC also
oversees the ten member ITE accreditation board.

The EWC employs over 40 staff. However as the organisational activity develops, it is anticipated
that the staffing capacity will increase over the course of this plan.

Key Objectives for 2018-21

Objective 1: Maintain the professional standards of registrants and ensure their fitness to practise
in the public interest

1.1     Maintain a Register of Education Practitioners that is accurate, accessible and responsive.

1.2     Operate robust, fair and transparent fitness to practise and registration procedures which
        maintain public confidence in the education workforce and ensure that only those deemed
        suitable to practise may do so.

1.3     Engage with the workforce and stakeholders to support high standards by promoting a Code
        of Professional Conduct and Practice and related guidance.

Objective 2: Promote professionalism and professional learning within the education workforce

2.1     Implement a robust system for the accreditation of initial teacher education programmes
        which ensures quality and professionally appropriate provision.

2.2     Lead and support initiatives to promote effective professional learning within the education
        workforce.

2.3     Lead and support initiatives to promote research engagement within the education
        workforce.

Objective 3: Work as a strategic partner to help improve education policy and its implementation
in Wales

3.1     Provide timely advice, research and consultation responses that are evidence based,
        informed by the experiences of the education workforce, and that make effective use of the
        unique data held on the Register of Education Practitioners.

3.2     Ensure that our communications present clear and consistent messages about the role of
        the EWC and that we engage meaningfully with the public, our registrants, and our
        stakeholders.

3.3     Proactively seek out opportunities for enhanced partnership working with our stakeholders,
        including our registrants to positively influence policy development and delivery.

Objective 4: Ensure organisational capability and capacity is maintained whilst ensuring best value
for registrants

4.1    Manage resources effectively through careful financial planning, monitoring and control.

4.2    Maintain effective planning and performance management processes, ensuring they
       incorporate best practice and comply with statutory standards and legislation.

4.3    Provide a comprehensive and inclusive development programme for employees, Council and
       panel members that meets the evolving needs of the organisation and promotes equality
       and wellbeing.

Proposed budget, 2018-21

 Note: Figures are in respect of EWC activity only, pending receipt of the   2018-19   2019-20   2020-21
 Welsh Government Grant Offer Letter
                                                                             £         £         £

 Income

 Income receivable from registration fees (including WG fee subsidy)

 Grants received from Welsh Government: TO BE CONFIRMED

 Other income: bank interest

 Total Income

 Expenditure

 Objective 1: Maintain the professional standards of registrants and
 ensure their fitness to practise in the public interest.

 Objective 2: Promote professionalism and professional learning within
 the education workforce

 Objective 3: Work as a strategic partner in Education

 Objective 4: Increase organisational capability and capacity whilst
 ensuring best value for registrants

 Administration / overheads

 Reserves

 Database                                                                    -         -         -

 Fitness To Practise                                                                             -

 Accommodation                                                               -         -         -

 Total Expenditure

 Surplus for the period

Version, as at ############# 2018 and including EWC activity only