DS Education
Our Director and Chief Executive Bill Crocker leads our work in the Education Sector and has worked in and around this sector for most of his working life. Delegated Services has substantial experience and successful track record of working with local authority schools, academies and Multi Academy Trusts, and are market leaders in providing services to the schools sector.
Bill initially gained a professional qualification as a General Practice Chartered Surveyor which he has retained and previously provided a successful Risk, Resilience and Wellbeing service as part of the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate, Bristol City Council, for over 10 years. The experience was extensive and incredibly varied. At the most challenging end of the spectrum and on commencing work with them, staff and pupils were hurt, reputations damaged and substantial costs incurred, including those that were uninsurable. Bill also has the invaluable experience of being involved with court cases brought by the HSE, but was also able to work in effective partnership with education establishments and provide the best service of 50 provided to establishments by the LA for 3 consecutive years, and as verified by the audit commission who reported on the outcome of their survey findings to the Department’s senior management team.
In parallel with the HS&W work, Bill was the Department’s lead on Emergencies and Business Continuity, not only building resilience in the Department itself, but also across the establishments being supported. This is when the 24/7 emergency telephone line was born, in recognition that schools were facing a whole range of dramatic challenges, not just in normal working hours. He represented the Department in the wider council wide response to emergencies and trained with, not only other areas of council expertise, but the blue light services, the military, NHS, utility services and the voluntary sector.
DS prides ourself in supporting our customers through effective change and implementation of appropriate systems to meet the necessary laws and other requirements in a prioritised, proportionate and as pragmatic way as possible. Satisfaction is essential with all recognising our high levels of competence and commitment. Our subject service areas are sometimes described by leaders as the sort of thing that keeps them awake at night. We address these concerns head on and with an appropriate mix of the serious to well placed and sometimes groan worthy humour, work with individuals and teams to settle those jangling nerves and move forward positively and with confidence.
Many of our schools sign up to a Customer Agreement. Need help with something? Get in touch with us using our online form
What others are saying...
Lighthouse Schools Partnership
Recent News...
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Don’t just take our word for it...
“We have a very positive working relationship with delegated services. We have found them to be helpful, flexible and thorough as well as skilled and knowledgeable. They have been very supportive of our work and development in relation to health and safety. They are highly regarded by our schools and particularly in relation to their responsiveness when dealing with issues of concern or emergency situations. We have found all members of the team to be approachable and supportive.”
Louise Malik, Chief Financial and Operating Officer,
Lighthouse Schools Partnership
“We had our HSE inspection today. I am pleased to say she rated our Risk Assessment as ‘one of the best she’s seen’, so thanks very much for the model and the look-through and suggestions. As a result, we have no actions or advice.”
Mark Freeman, St Michaels Stoke Gifford
"It is so helpful to have all points so clearly identified and this has led to a real sense of purpose for our team in terms of quickly addressing actions. Your supportive audit has really helped us here at school, where busy times require items such as those identified by yourself to be a high priority."
Ro O’Reilly, Headteacher, Willowdown Primary
“The teaching and senior leadership staff and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for delivering a superb twilight session yesterday afternoon/evening. Having spoken to a number of staff reflecting on the twilight session they felt that the delivery and execution of the session was superlative. The general consensus from the session was that all staff present came away with a tangible sense of 'risk awareness'...”
Andrew Haynes, Cotham Gardens Premises Manager
“You and your team have been an invaluable support during this whole pandemic. ”
Richard Bamber, Headteacher Westbury Park Primary School (2021)
“A huge thank you to you and your team Bill, for guiding us in these difficult times – your advice has been outstanding, and I wouldn’t have known where to begin.”
Lisa Parker Headteacher Warmley Park School and College
“I must say, the information you have been providing to schools is exceptional – please can you pass on my feedback to the whole team for the amazing job they are doing”.
Mrs Karen, Llewellyn School Business Manager
“DS has an in-depth understanding of leaders’ issues and provides the information and written guidance required, often before you are aware that you need it.
They provide a wide-ranging and comprehensive set of up-to-date model policies and risk assessments. Using these allows the education and community sectors to focus more resources on educating and providing services to the community, reducing the time and resources needed, leaving school leaders with a sense that they have done more than “tick the boxes”.
The reassuring telephone response to urgent issues has been incredible.”
Jo Bradshaw BSc MBA
