Councils and trusts
More than one provision?
Several projects heading into design, and no educational adviser alongside them?
Councils with high needs capital projects, and trusts opening more than one provision, often have a project team and an architect for each scheme and no one writing down what each provision has to do for its pupils. I do that, remotely, for the whole programme.
Programme Package
Briefs across a programme
What does each of these provisions have to do, and for whom?
Briefs for up to three bases or resourced provisions, or a bank of 12 days to spend across briefs and plan reviews as the projects need. Three base briefs bought one at a time are £10,800. With more than three projects, add single briefs or plan reviews at the published prices. Special school programmes are quoted. For resourced provision it works with the host headteachers, and the output can go straight into your capital business case.
It is priced below most council quote thresholds and the £30,000 Procurement Act notice level, so it can be commissioned quickly.
Scope and limits
I do not advise on where an individual pupil is placed, though I do help you decide who a provision is for and its entry and exit criteria. I give no architectural, structural, fire safety or door hardware advice: the brief says what the provision has to do, and your architect, fire safety adviser and estates team decide how to meet it.
What it covers
- A brief for each provision: the cohort, purpose, entry and exit, how it will run, what each space and door has to do, and an avoid list
- Plan reviews as the designs arrive, if you use the days that way
- A kick off call and a visit with each host head
- A short note for members, governors or trustees
What you will have at the end
- A brief for each provision, ready for your architect and estates team
- Days that can move between projects
- Work you own
Where to start
The cheapest way in.
The cheapest way in is a plan review: £1,200 for a base, wholly remote, marked up plans and a note in five working days. If it shows the brief is worth having, the Programme Package follows.
Trusts opening a new special school or alternative provision start with the special school brief at £8,800, then launch support at £14,400 to £19,200 and growth support at £7,200 for year one. The three together are £30,400 to £35,200 across about two years, bought a piece at a time. Special school brief
Questions
Questions people ask.
How do we commission this quickly?
A single piece sits below the usual quote thresholds, so you can commission it quickly. The Programme Package is £9,600 for up to three briefs or a bank of 12 days. A one page proposal states the purpose, outputs, days, price, travel and dates.
Do you work with the host headteacher?
Yes, for resourced provision. Each brief starts with a kick off call and a visit with the host head, so it reflects the school it will sit in.
Can the output go in our capital business case?
Yes. The brief is written so it can be used in a capital business case and in the employer's requirements for your architect.
Do you advise on sufficiency or placements?
No. I write what each provision has to do for the pupils it is for. I do not advise on sufficiency strategy, the independent sector or where an individual pupil is placed.
Can you start with one project?
Yes. A plan review at £1,200 for a base is the cheapest way in. Days in a bank can move between projects as your list changes.
Let's talk
Twenty minutes is usually enough to know whether this would help.
If it would not, I will say so, and point you to free support instead.
Book a 20 minute call (opens booking page in a new tab)