Resolve to resolve - Email the FE minister

Matthew Hancock, the Further Education and Skills Minister, will be able to make the decision to establish an independent complaints body for further education students. It’s really crucial that you act now and make your voice heard, so that we can influence him to Resolve to Resolve in the New Year! If we do this, we can ensure students are afforded a vital safety net while they face such a rapidly changing environment.

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If you'd like to help us with this campaign then its time to take action and let others know how you feel. Email your MP telling them of your situation. The more people that do this, the greater the chance of our success. We've already prepared a model letter for you below, so all you need to do is change a few key details, find your MP and send your email.

Your first name:
Your surname:
Your email address:

Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0ET
Date

Dear Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP,

I am writing to ask you to establish an independent complaints adjudicator for students in further education as a priority in the New Year. Currently, students in further education who experience issues with the quality of their learning, and those students who fall victim to unfair discrimination or poor provision are without an independent adjudicator to preside over their complaints.

Recent research conducted by the National Union of Students in their report 'Unresolved', has revealed an extremely diverse picture in regard to college complaints procedures – with many students unaware of their rights and huge variation from one college to the next in regard to procedural timeframes and processes.

An independent complaints adjudicator would be able to better ensure that students are able to make informed choices about which course and provider to select, improve the experience of students in many areas, for example in the quality of learning and in general course provision.

Students in further education face a rapidly changing environment – with the introduction of FE loans later in the year, the removal of EMA, changes to the ways in which teachers are qualified as well as many institutions set to adopt new ‘stop and search’ powers. Yet this is an environment which denies students an adequate mechanism to voice any concerns that they might have.

I am very concerned about the lack of an independent complaints body for further education students. I am concerned about how this issue affects the quality of learning for myself and my peers, and I am concerned that future students have the opportunity to pursue their studies and realise their potential.

As Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for further education, skills and lifelong learning, I ask that you show your commitment to student choice and welfare by establishing an independent complaints adjudicator for students in further education.

Yours Sincerely,

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