To be a quality provider schools and other educational settings need reassurance that providers meet certain standards for their risk management and their educational provision.
Below you can find the current LOtC Quality Badge Quality Indicators. These are currently under review and further information about the changes will be communicated later in 2023.
1. The provider has a process in place to assist users to plan the learning experience effectively.
a) offers guidance/information on or agrees on roles and responsibilities of the user and the provider i.e. who does what.
b) captures or agrees learning objectives.
c) offers a menu or plans a tailored programme of work, with a purpose for each activity, linked to learning objectives
d) takes into account any equality, diversity and inclusion issues and needs
e) offers guidance/information on or agrees a process with the user, for assessing learner progress during the overall experience and how the experience will be evaluated
f) offers guidance and/or resources to assist with or discusses with the user preparation and follow-up to the visit.
2. The provider provides accurate information about its offer.
a) ensures that any promotional materials provide an accurate description of amenities, facilities and services provided and contact details
b) has charging policies that state honestly the charges of the experience
3. The provider provides activities or experiences which meet learner needs
a) offers a variety of activities which have clearly identifiable educational benefits and which encourage socially responsible attitudes and behaviours
b) uses teaching styles appropriate to learners’ needs and abilities
c) ensures that equipment and materials are suitable for tasks and/or activities, the age and ability of the learners, are current and in good working order
d) makes good use of their location
e) ensures that educational or instructional staff and volunteers are competent
f) has a process in place for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the teaching and/or instruction
4. The provider reviews the experience and acts upon feedback
a) evaluates their own services
b) gathers feedback on the learning experience from users (teachers and learners), including whether what was agreed at the planning stage was delivered and learning objectives met
c) has a process in place to change practices as a result of review, evaluation and feedback
5. The provider meets the needs of users
a) communicates effectively with users
b) ensures that essential written policies and procedures are reviewed, maintained and updated. This is undertaken on a regular basis and covers all venues and all activities
c) has an understanding of sustainability issues and the impact of activities and shares this with users
d) has a process in place to monitor the overall quality of provision across its site or sites and make changes where necessary
e) has a process in place to ensure the financial protection of users, clearly set out and agreed in any terms of reference or contract. Where applicable, the provider complies with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
6. The provider has safety management processes in place to manage risk effectively.
a) has safety management procedures in place so that risks are identified and appropriately managed. These are regularly reviewed and updated as appropriate
b) complies with all external regulation relating to it, e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act, Equalities Act, etc
c) carries appropriate public liability insurance cover
d) ensures that clear and robust safeguarding and child protection policies are in place. All staff fully understand what is expected of them
e) ensures that all eligible staff are subject to the appropriate criminal record check
f) ensures that, where animals are kept on site or used as part of the education service, the appropriate welfare standards are maintained
g) where there is direct or indirect contact with animals, ensures that appropriate hygiene and handwashing procedures are in place
h) ensures that, where 3rd party providers are used as part of the offer to schools, they hold the LOtC Quality Badge or LOtC Site Provider Award in their own right.
