The Department for Education (DfE) is inviting applications from Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and schools to become a grant-funded Flexible Working Ambassador MAT or School (FWAMS). These FWAMS will support the delivery of the DfE’s Flexible Working Programme 2023-2025.

They will:

– recruit schools (‘participant schools’) and provide one-to-one coaching on implementing flexible working;

– provide ad-hoc support and advice to other schools;

– create practical resources;

– produce awareness-raising content such as blogs and case studies, and;

– work with the appointed delivery provider, who will be delivering the Department’s culture change programme.

The 12 ambassador FWAMS are likely to consist of:

– nine appointed on a regional basis, in line with the Regional Director regions, to offer the opportunity of support to MATs and schools across the country;

– one dedicated to supporting special schools/settings. Applicants for this role must be a special school/trust.

– one dedicated to supporting AP/PRU settings. Applicants for this role must be an Alternative Provision/Pupil Referral Unit;

– one to support schools and MATs in areas of high disadvantage. Applicants for this role must have higher-than-average percentages of pupils eligible for the deprivation pupil premium.

Applications need to be submitted by no later than 12:00 noon on 31 March 2023. If an application is successful, the applicant school will be invited to sign a grant funding agreement lasting for six academic terms. It is anticipated that the appointment of the Flexible Working Ambassador Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools will take place by the end of May 2023. Delivery will be ongoing until March 2025. Each FWAMS will receive a grant of £10,000 in the first term of operation (Summer 2023) and then £9,000 per term thereafter, to deliver the required activity.

All queries and clarifications must be submitted via the Jaggaer online message board.