Consultants
Our D&T consultants offer a broad range of services on an independent, commercial basis. We also work alongside consultants employed by, and confined to working within, a local authority. Consultant members can also support design and technology practitioners and often work with the D&T Association on a variety of related projects.
Why our D&T consultants are so important.
Find out more about the consultants in your area in our Consultants directory.
Our consultants play an incredibly valuable role in the D&T Association. We work closely together to provide our members with CPD, ongoing support, and services on both a national land a more local branch level. Schools can access consultant services via our consultant directory.
Our D&T consultants are pivotal in developing training programmes to address knowledge gaps identified with the help of teachers. Consultants work closely with us to provide resources, support, guidance, advice, and deliver training to address areas that are of concern to many teachers. Together we dispel fears about the new curriculum, examination reforms, EBacc, Progress 8 and school accountability measures. We aim to increase understanding regarding any changes and support teachers to implement new requirements into teaching practice, and update our members on developments at the D&T Association.
Some of our consultants also act as Registered D&T Health and Safety Consultants (RDTHSCs) who can deliver core, refresher, specialist and specialist extension training sessions in health and safety nationwide as part of the D&T Association’s Health and Safety Training and Accreditation scheme.
Benefits of becoming a consultant member
Consultants enjoy a full range of member benefits, including a full listing in the consultant directory which will put you directly in contact with anyone seeking advice within D&T. Our full service directory enables you to promote yourself and highlight your areas of expertise.
Consultant membership includes all D&T Association publications:
- D&T Practice (incorporating D&T Primary)
- Designing
- D&T Education – an international journal
- D&T Stream (digital newsletter)
- D&T Buzz (video newsletter)
You’ll have the opportunity to hear about - and respond to - government initiatives and consultations and curriculum developments that impact all aspects of design and technology education.
You’ll also enjoy privileged professional indemnity insurance rates (subject to conditions), as well as discounts on resources, publications, CPD events, magazines, and health and safety accreditation.
How to become a consultant member
You can apply to become a consultant member of the D&T Association, and be listed in the consultant directory, if you successfully meet the agreed and published criteria. As a D&T consultant, you will be expected to follow a strict code of practice as laid down by the D&T Association.
How do I find a suitable consultant?
If you need to access advice or organise training within your establishment or group of local schools you can search for D&T consultants by region on the D&T Association website, and in the consultant’s directory. You can read the consultant’s personal summary, areas of expertise, training, or the specific H&S standards they cover, as well as their fee structure.
To make it easier and simpler for you to find information, the directory has two sections:
- Independent consultants and consultant members offering services on an independent, commercial basis
- Consultants who may be employed by, and confined to working within, a local authority
We aim to ensure the highest quality of service. Therefore, all D&T consultant members are obliged to conform to a Professional Code of Practice established by the D&T Association, originally in conjunction with the National Association of Advisers and Inspectors in Design and Technology (NAAIDT).
Working together D&T
We’re continually striving to ensure the quality assurance of all consultant training activity, as well as Health and Safety and Food Safety Schemes. To do this, we are introducing strategies to monitor and evaluate the training given by our consultants and RDTHSCs. Currently, quality assurance is achieved in a number of ways:
- Conferences and regular consultant training sessions
- Access to D&T Association advice and support
- Use of common course specific training materials to be used by all consultants when running D&T Association endorsed training and events
- Access to RDTHSC Closed User Group resources
- Adherence to the RDTHSC Code of Practice and handbook
- Use of D&T Association Health and Safety Training Standards, matched to the requirements and expectation of BS 4163 : 2021
- Monitoring of a random sample of training events
DBS Checks for Consultant members
The D&T Association does not hold a central file of DBS certificates for consultant members or RDTHSCs. Schools should follow their own procedures with regard to checking DBS certificates.
Join Now
Design and Technology (D&T) is the inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world.
We are focused on giving you the tools, knowledge and information you need to become more effective, more experienced and more efficient. Giving you access to expert opinions. And creating a place where you can air your views, ask your questions and so help make a difference to your life and those of your pupils. We want to hear from you. We want to know how we can help. And we want you to join us.
