S25 Brokering Specialist Support
Many businesses need help from specialist providers, such as consultants, trainers, designers and technical experts, but find it hard to say what they need, judge who is good, and make sure they get what they pay for. This Standard is about helping clients turn a need into a clear brief, find and compare suitable providers, test their offers, work out how to pay, agree clear terms and get value from the work, while the client keeps the decisions. It also covers working within the rules that apply when support is publicly funded.
Who it's for
Business advisers, account managers and brokers who help businesses specify, choose, fund and work with consultants, trainers and other specialist providers, including on programmes that broker or fund specialist support.
What you need to show
- S25.1
Help the client set out what they need and write a brief that will draw realistic, comparable proposals from providers
- S25.2
Identify suitable providers and invite proposals, in line with any rules attached to public funding
- S25.3
Help the client decide how they will choose between providers, judging fit, quality and value, and taking account of any rules attached to public funding
- S25.4
Help the client test providers' offers, including checking references and understanding what their quality marks and accreditations show
- S25.5
Help the client work out how to pay for the support they need, including where putting in their own money unlocks other help
- S25.6
Help the client agree clear terms with the chosen provider, covering what will be delivered, by when, at what cost and how success will be judged
- S25.7
Help the client and providers understand each other, explaining jargon in both directions
- S25.8
Help the client and the providers they choose to establish a relationship of mutual trust
- S25.9
Keep in touch with the client during delivery, and help them resolve problems with the provider
- S25.10
Review with the client whether the provider delivered what was agreed, and use what you learn to improve future brokering
What you need to know and understand
- S25.K1
How to write a good brief for providers
- S25.K2
Where to find specialist providers, and how to build and keep up to date a network of providers you can recommend impartially
- S25.K3
How to compare providers' offers on cost, quality and fit
- S25.K4
The meaning of common quality standards and accreditations held by providers
- S25.K5
Procurement rules and the requirements for impartiality and independence where public funding is involved
- S25.K6
How publicly funded support for specialist services usually works, including eligibility, client contributions and the conditions attached
- S25.K7
The terms usually agreed for consultancy and other professional services to small businesses, and when to refer for legal advice
- S25.K8
How to monitor and evaluate the work of a provider, and how to handle disputes
- S25.K9
The records to keep of brokered support
Evolved from
Business Support 13 (Help the client to critically assess a business support service provider's offer); Business Support 14 (Broker deals with business support service providers); Business Support 15 (in part); Business and Enterprise Support (2013) units 15 and 16 (in part). C4 covers finding, explaining and referring to support, which every practitioner does; S25 covers brokering in depth.