CIPFA Certificate in Public Sector Asset Management for School Business Professionals

Overview

The CIPFA Certificate in Public Sector Asset Management for School Business Professionals has been specifically tailored by ISBL and CIPFA to focus on the needs of school business and estates professionals working in education settings.

The Certificate has been mapped by CIPFA as broadly equivalent to a level 4/5 qualification in relation to the degree of challenge. As part of the programme, learners will complete a reflective assignment based on how they can apply their learning to their school or trust setting.

This is a standalone Estates Management accredited programme. However, on completion of the Certificate, participants may go on to complete a further 3 modules to attain the full Diploma in Public Sector Asset Management directly through CIPFA, should they wish to.

This bespoke qualification is underpinned by the ISBL Professional Standards. Learners will develop knowledge across the Lead and Strategic practitioner levels of the Estate Management discipline area.

Learning Outcomes

In this bespoke qualification, you will study four key modules (taken from the full CIPFA Diploma in Public Sector Asset Management qualification.):

  • This module introduces the role of strategic asset management in the public sector and identifies its vital importance in delivering a fit for purpose public estate. It will explore the principles of asset management; the linkages between corporate policy and asset management; the role of governance in making effective decisions and the importance of strong relationships between the property function and other parts of the organisation.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Understand and articulate the principles of strategic asset management and its role in the context of a public sector organisation.

    • Critically consider the impact of the assets in the property portfolio in supporting the needs of the organisation.

    • Understand the importance of leadership and culture to the successful implementation of asset management.

    • Understand the respective roles of key groups, teams and committees in the governance of asset management.

    • Understand the concept of a corporate landlord approach.

  • This module introduces the concept of a structured approach to developing an asset management policy, strategy and action plan. In addition, it explains the need for and development of robust asset challenge processes and procedures using a step by step approach.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Understand the importance of strategic asset management documentation in communicating the links with corporate and service priorities and objectives.

    • Understand how to develop asset management policies, strategy and action planning.

    • Understand the key aspects of property challenge and review.

  • This module leads you through the pre and post contract process ensuring a firm understanding of how to approach the market and manage the team and their delivery and subsequent evaluation of projects. In addition, it explores the role of condition assessment in establishing maintenance need and the related importance of prioritised budget development for both planned and reactive maintenance.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Understand the overall design, procure and build process for major capital projects.

    • Understand how different types of maintenance will be balanced in an overall maintenance programme.

    • Understand what data is important in developing a picture of maintenance and how this should be collected.

    • Understand the most effective way of developing and monitoring maintenance budgets.

    • Develop an understanding or the factors to be taken into account when prioritising maintenance.

  • This module places asset management in the contemporary environment through the exploration of current issues and factors in today’s society. It will detail the way in which external factors such as climate change, sustainability, pandemics and politics all have an impact on an approach to effective asset management. Through case study examples it will highlight various service delivery models and the ways in which collaboration can overcome many of the challenges we face in providing today’s public sector estate in good order.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Understand the external factors that influence Asset Management approaches in the current day.

    • Understand approaches for sharing assets and the factors that need to be taken into account.

    • Understand at a high-level different models for service delivery.

    • Have a high-level understanding of how climate change is influencing asset management approaches.

About the qualification

  • The Certificate is a bespoke qualification that cannot be taken elsewhere. ISBL has worked with experts from the CIPFA Estates team to tailor the current 7 module Diploma qualification to a more educationally relevant 4 module pathway that meets the specific needs of strategic asset management for school business and estates professionals working in education settings.

    According to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Good Estates Management for Schools guidance, ‘having a strategic approach with the right plans and documents in place will make sure the estate supports your education needs and goals’. With this in mind, this course meets the requirements of the DfE’s guidance and the ISBL Professional Standards, providing you and your employer with a suitable qualification.

  • The course is delivered online only.

  • The certificate is delivered as open training on specific dates over a four month period. All modules are conducted live with experts from both CIPFA Property and ACES with whom the programme is jointly delivered. Every module is available on two separate dates throughout the year to provide flexibility.

  • Whilst there are no specific entry requirements, we would anticipate that this programme would be most applicable to those who are working in an Estate Management role or else are responsible for estates management as part of their wider SBP responsibilities.

  • Each module will be assessed immediately following the completion of 10 multiple-choice questions, with a 60 per cent pass rate required. On completion of all four modules, a final written assignment of 1,500 words must be submitted, in which learners demonstrate their understanding of the content taught and their ability to apply it to their own work practice within an educational context

  • This course is open to ISBL members only:

    ISBL member rate: £2,160 (including VAT)


    One of the benefits of being an ISBL member is being able to access the member rates for training and conferences. If you are not a member, you can find out more about joining ISBL by clicking here.

    To be able to access the ISBL member rate, your membership needs to be active before you book your place on the programme.

    The full cost must be paid in full before you start the programme. Our Terms & Conditions can be found here.

Testimonials

  • "Being fairly new to the Operations role in a multi academy trust, I was looking to gain further knowledge and skills around estates and premises management. I had attended some ISBL/CIPFA training previously that was very relevant, so decided to undertake the Certificate in Public Sector Asset Management for SBPs. The course content was excellent, very relevant and the course leaders were very knowledgeable in their areas. This course gave me valuable new tools and knowledge to guide our premises and estates management and to develop our skills and expertise."

    Jennifer McCreery

Upcoming cohorts and bookings

In order to book on to the course you need to email: training@isbl.org.uk to confirm your interest. We will confirm that you are an ISBL member and entitled to enrol on to the programme, then pass on your details to be contacted directly by a CIPFA colleague. Please note that you cannot book directly onto this programme through CIPFA.

Cohorts usually run annually in January and September.

For any enquiries, please contact: training@isbl.org.uk