Useful Links

Access to Learning Fund - This site will assist for those who are administering student support for higher education students.

Adult Learning Inspectorate - The ALI is a non-departmental public body established under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 to inspect and report on the quality of education and training for adults and young people funded by public money. 

Aim Higher - provides information to get started on the road into HE, including links to all the key websites that can help answer your questions.

Basic Skills Agency - A quick response, independent organisation, working at ´arms length´ from our funders the Department for Education and Skills, focusing on finding practice worth sharing and disseminating it effectively

Commission for Racial Equality - The CRE includes equality standards & a range of good practice resources, information on your rights, ethnic diversity history & information, online & for sale publications, news & media guidance & issues

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Department for Works and Pensions - created from parts of DSS, DfEE and Employment Service. Links to Jobcentre Plus, Pension Service, Employment Service, Child Support Agency, Worktrain, New Deal

Disability Rights Commission - the Disability Rights Commission includes codes of practice, legislation, consultations, campaigns, news.

Directgov - UK government information & services, organised into topic areas, directories & reference, online services, parents, motorists, disabled people & carers & other groups of people, news & links

Education and the European Union Presidency -The Department for Education and Skills has published the key expected areas of work in education during the UK Presidency

EMA Web site - Information site for students, parents, schools and colleges on the Education Maintenance Allowance

Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges - EAUC is leading the way in integrating sustainability and environmental management in to the business management of colleges and universities.

Equal Opportunities Commission - The Equal Opportunities Commission provides advice, publications, news & press releases.

FEDPAG - The Federation of Professionals Associations in Guidance was formed to represent the voice of professionals working in all spheres of career guidance.

FE Marketing - PROSPECT/ is a partnership specialising in marketing consultancy, advice and training for Further Education.

Government Priorities for the Presidency of the EU

Learning and Skills Council - The LSC is responsible for planning and funding high-quality vocational education and training for everyone.

Lifelong Learning UK - Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) is the sector skills council (SSC) established by the sector's employers to lead the professional development of all those who work in the field of lifelong learning

LSDA - LSDA undertakes research to inform policy and practice, helps to shape and communicate education policy and assists improvement through support programmes for organisations that deliver post-16 education and training.

Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner - The OISC are responsible for setting standards & regulating the immigration advisers & investigating complaints. Also, search for a registered adviser, by location, adviser or organisation & information on making a complaint & range of publications & online, including newsletters, leaflets, policy documents.

Ofsted - Ofsted is a non-ministerial government department established to take responsibility for the inspection of all schools in England.  During 2001, Ofsted became responsible for inspecting all 16–19 education.

QCA - QCA maintains and develops the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations and monitors qualifications in colleges and the workplace. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the DfES

NIACE - NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education - England and Wales) is a non-governmental organisation working for more and different adult learners.

Student Loan Company - This site provides easy access to key information about student loans and the Student Loans Company UK

Support 4 Learning - Resources for advisers, students and everyone involved in education, training and communities

The Association of Colleges - The Association was created in 1996 as the single voice to promote the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales.  It provides a broad range of services to its subscribers, representing their interests locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate - The Immigration and Nationality Directorate provides information about the UK from the government, advice, application forms, appeals, work permits, employers' information, law & policy, asylum, tourism & carriers' information

Sane is a website for those with and working with people with mental illness. Good resource of fact sheets and details of support services. SANELINE (0845 767 8000) is SANE's national telephone helpline for those suffering from mental illnesses, their carers and health professionals. It is open 1pm to 11pm daily.

Papyrus is resources and support for those dealing with suicide, depression or emotional distress - particularly teenagers and young adults and includes pages for health professionals and those teaching your people. A good selection of publications is available.

ENTO is National Occupational Standards for individuals in the workplace, as well as information, advice, guidance and support for those who using them. The site outlines standards in various fields, including: Assessment and Verification; Learning and Development; Managing Work-Related Violence; Health and Safety; Recruitment Advice and Guidance; Counselling; Coaching and Mentoring in a Work Environment.

Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) Good Practice Database holds examples of good practice across the sector, including (but not limited to) good practice in: Equal opportunities; Health and safety; Individual learning plans; Initial assessment; Key skills and Quality Improvement Retention and achievement Self-assessment Skills for Life Subcontractors Work-based assessment.

National Childrens Bureau (Sex Education Forum). Details of the FE Colleges & Sexual Health Services Project which is supporting professionals engaged in developing sexual health work in FE & Sixth Form Colleges. The Sex Education Forum is the national authority on sex and relationships education (SRE). The Forum believes that good quality SRE is an entitlement for all children and young people and is working with its 48 members - religious, children's, parent, governors, health and education organisations towards this end. 

HERO is the primary internet portal for academic research and higher education in the UK. It is an excellent resource for enquiries about higher education for the widest possible range of visitors and a showcase for the diversity and quality of research and higher education in the UK.

HERO owners include the DfES, UCAS, HEFCE, Graduate Prospects, and Universities UK to name but a few. The website aims to be quick and easy to navigate, providing the shortest route to the information you require on higher education in the UK.