flowlow Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Hi all just a quick question someone said they were thinking about becoming and independent early years consultant. Just wondered if anyone knew anything about going about this? whether there is such a thing? what experience/qualifications you would need? etc....
Stargrower Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I guess it would be someone like Alistair Bryce Clegg. If it was independent, you wouldn't be employed by anyone, so I suppose there is no qualifications and experience requirement and anyone could say they were a consultant. But the better qualified and experienced you are, the better advice and support you can offer and the more successful you would be. That's just off the top of my head, I don't know anything about becoming a consultant! 1
mundia Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 Hi Johanna There us a growing number of early years consultants as LAS are cutting back. You would effectively be self employed so you would need to look into all of that. Technically you don't need any qualification but you would to have sort of skill set otherwise you won't have any credibility and won't get any work. I think most people have to build a reputation locally and then extend more widely. It may help to know what the needs are in your area and if you have the skills to meet that need. In short do your research well. 1
hali Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I agree with the above any one can do this independantly 1
flowlow Posted January 29, 2015 Author Posted January 29, 2015 thank you all. Just a thought especially after this week lol
finleysmaid Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 i've had a dip into this....i would love to do some more but don't feel i can give up the security of a full time position at the moment. It was really interesting and i learnt a lot about what i would and would not do next time....my trustees let me do it as CPD which was really nice of them :1b 1
catma Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I've considered it when we have constant restructures - You could all buy me in to do assessment input!! Cx 3
flowlow Posted January 30, 2015 Author Posted January 30, 2015 I thought I might just 'look' even if it remain a little fantasy to keep me going
Guest Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 You might find the new NEYTCO organisation helpful - http://neytco.co.uk I set up an as independent consultant/trainer a few years ago and have been lucky to be taken on by a few companies which has really helped my work situation as they have more advertising power. They prepare all my handouts, book the venue, contact participants, arrange overnight accommodation etc. I also work as a supply teacher because from personal experience of attending training I didn't want to be a trainer with no current experience of working with children. From my experience, it's very difficult to get known as an individual. It's also very hard to charge what it actually takes in terms of your time to write any training. I spend hours and hours looking at research and endless government legislation so that my training is always up to date, I also provide lots of useful documentation which I have to put together. On top of that you have to buy equipment, insurance and if you print your own handouts it costs a small fortune! I don't want to put you off, I love meeting lots of different people and finding out how differently things work (or don't!) around the country but it's difficult to make a living from it in my experience. Without the supply teaching, I'd be struggling!
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