The matrix Excellence Awards
“Working towards matrix re-positioned the whole concept of IAG within [the organisation], and it made our job a lot easier in implementing cultural change.”
Newcastle College - Offender Learning and Skills
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2007 Winners
Newcastle College– Offender Learning & Skills
Offender Learning & Skills is a specialist school within Newcastle College of Further and Higher Education.
The remit of the school is to provide learning opportunities and training to prisoners, to help reduce the incidence of re-offending, ultimately leading to sustainable employment on release.
In 2005 the School entered a phase of unprecedented growth when Newcastle College became Lead Provider of Learning and Skills for eight custodial establishments – five male establishments, one women’s prison, and two probation services.
Almost overnight the School inherited 400 staff, along with diverse systems and structures from the different institutions, each with its own established IAG culture, practices and policies.
The team used the matrix Standard as the guiding framework to review this complex mosaic and create one harmonised, unified IAG service. From this ‘blank sheet’, progress was quickly made, and by February 2007 the entire School’s external IAG service was Accredited to the matrix Standard.
The matrix Judges particularly noted the excellent use of the matrix Standard to create a shared sense of identity for IAG which overcame geographical barriers and created a universal culture of quality.