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Acronyms in Social Care and Health Care. This is by no means an exhaustive or definitive list and if any are missing and need to be included please email us here to let us know what is missing.
'Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.'
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
Please click a letter to be taken to that section
AAI
Association of Assessment Inspectors and Advisers
AASW
Advanced Award in Social Work
ABAG
Awarding Bodies Action Group
ABC
Anti-social Behaviour Contract
ABE
Adult Basic Education
ACCAC
Awdurdod Cymwysterau, Cwricwlwm ac Asesu Cymru/the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
ACE
Advisory Centre for Education
ACEO
Association of Chief Education Officers (now ADECS)
ACET
Adult Continuing Education and Training
ACEVO
Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations
ACFHE
Association of Colleges for Further and Higher Education
ACG
Annual Capital Guidelines
ACLF
Adult and Community Learning Fund
ACO
Attendance Centre Order
ACOP
Association of Chief Officers of Probation
ACPC
Area Child Protection Committee
ACPI
Audit Commission Performance Indicator
ACS
Average Class Size
ACTAN
Association of Care Training and Assessment Networks
AD
Assistant Director
ADC
Association of District Councils
ADCE
Advanced Diploma in Children's Care and Education
ADCS
Association of Directors of Children's Services (formerly Confed)
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder
ADECS
Association of Directors of Education and Children's Services (formerly ACEO and now part of ADCS)
ADES
Association of Directors of Education in Scotland
ADEW
Association of Directors of Education in Wales
ADHD
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
ADR
Adverse Drug Reaction
ADSS
Association of Directors of Social Services (England, Wales and NI)
ADSW
Association of Directors of Social Work (Scotland)
AE
Adult Education
AE
Advanced Extension
AEDIPS
Association of Educational Development and Improvement Professionals Scotland
AEN
Additional Educational Needs
AEWM
Association for Education Welfare Management
AF
Admissions Forum
AFVAS
Association of Foundation and Voluntary Aided Schools
AHA
Area Health Authority
ALCEO
Association of London Chief Education Officers
ALD
Adults with Learning Difficulties
ALF
Activity-led Funding
ALG
Association of London Government (now London Councils)
ALGIS
Affiliation of Local Government Information Specialists
ALI
Adult Learning Inspectorate
ALS
Additional Literacy Support
AMA
Advanced Modern Apprenticeships
AMP
Asset Management Plan
AOC
Association of Colleges (Further Education)
AoT
Adults other than Teachers
APA
Annual Performance Assessment
APEL
Accreditation of Prior Experience and/or Learning
API
Age Participation Index
APIR
Assess Plan Implement Review
APL
Accreditation of Prior Learning
APP
Area of Particular Practice
APP
Assessing Pupils' Progress
APSE
Association for Public Service Excellence
APT
Assistant Principal Teacher (Scotland)
APT&C
Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Grades
AQA
Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
ARC
Association for Residential Care
ARC
Association for Real Change
AS
Advanced Subsidiary Examination
ASB
Actual Schools Budget (Wales)
ASB
Aggregated Schools Budget
ASCL
Association of School and College Leaders
ASD
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
ASE
Association for Science Education
ASG
Area School Group (Scotland)
ASL
Additional Support for Learning (Scotland)
Association of Professionals in Education & Children's Trusts (formerly NAEIAC)
AST
Advanced Skills Teacher
ASW
Approved Social Worker in Mental Health
AT
Attainment Target
AT
Advisory Teacher
ATCO
Association of Transport Coordinating Officers
ATL
Association of Teachers and Lecturers
ATO
Approved Training Organisation
ATSWE
Association of Teachers in Social Work Education
AVA
Audio Visual Aids
AWI
Area Wide Inspection
AWPU
Age-Weighted Pupil Unit
BAALPE
British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education
BAGA
British Amateur Gymnastics Association
BASW
British Association of Social Workers
BATOD
British Association of Teachers of the Deaf
BC
Borough Council
BCA
Basic Credit Approval
BCODP
British Council of Disabled People
BCSE
British Council for School Environments
BDA
British Dyslexia Association
Becta
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency
BELMAS
British Educational Leadership and Administration Society
BEM
Business Excellence Model
BERA
British Educational Research Association
BESA
British Educational Suppliers Association
BESD
Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties
BEST
Behaviour and Education Support Teams
BEST
Building Excellent Schools Together (Wales)
BFCHP
British Federation of Care Home Proprietors
BIP
Behaviour Improvement Programme
BITC
Business in the Community
BME
Black and Minority Ethnic
BN
Basic Need
BOPCAS
British Official Publications Current Awareness Service
BoSOP
Bum on Seat Opportunity
BPRS
Best Practice Research Scholarships
BPS
British Psychological Society
BSA
Basic Skills Agency
BSF
Building Schools for the Future
BSG
British Society of Gerontology
BSP
Behaviour Support Plans
BTEC
Business and Technology Education Council
BV
Best Value
BVPI
Best Value Performance Indicator
BVPP
Best Value Performance Plan
BVR
Best Value Review
C&F
Children & Families
C&GA
City and Guilds Affinity
C&YP
Children & Young People
CAA( GAA?)
Ganolfan Astudiaethan Addysg
CAB
Citizens Advice Bureau
CACHE
Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education
CAF
Common Assessment Framework
CAFCASS
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
CAIPE
Centre for Advancement of Inter-Professional Education in Primary and Community Care
CAL
Computer Assisted Learning
CamERA
Cambridge Education Research Association
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CASE
Campaign for the Advancement of State Education
CASS
Curriculum Advisory and Support Service (Northern Ireland)
CATs
Cognitive Ability Tests
CATS
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme
CBEVE
Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges
CBT
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CC
Children's Centre
CC
Capital Challenge
CC
Cwricwlwm Cymraeg (Wales)
CCC
Consultative Council on the Curriculum (Scotland)
CCEA
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (Northern Ireland)
CCET
Community Consortia for Education and Training (Wales)
CCETSW
Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (defunct)
CCETYCW
Central Council for Education and Training in Youth and Community Work
CCfW
Care Council for Wales/Cyngor Gofal Cymru
CCT
Compulsory Competitive Tendering
CCTA
City College for the Technology of the Arts
CCW
Care Council Wales
CDC
Curriculum Development Centre
CDC
Council for Disabled Children
CDL
Career Development Loan
CDRP
Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships
CDT
Craft, Design and Technology
CEDP
Career Entry and Development Profile
CEG
Careers Education and Guidance
CEL
Centre for Excellence in Leadership
CEM Centre
Curriculum, Evaluation and Measurement Centre (Univ. Durham)
CEO
Chief Education Officer
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
CEOPC
Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre
CER
Community Education and Regeneration
CERES
Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland
CET
Continuing Education and Training
CF
Challenge Funding
CfBT
Centre for BritishTeachers
CFE
College of Further Education
CFF
Common Funding Formula
CGLI
City and Guilds of London Institute
CGWT
Care Group Workforce Teams
CHAI
Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
CHC
Community Health Council
CHE
College of Higher Education
CHI
Commission for Health Improvement
CIAG
Children's Inter Agency Group
CiC
Children in Care
CIF
Common Inspection Framework (for post-16 Education and Training)
CILT
National Centre for Languages
CIN
Children in Need
CIPFA
Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy
CIS
Children`s Information Service
CIS
Controlled Integrated School (N. Ireland)
CLA
Children Looked After
CLAW
Consortium Local Authorities Wales
CLEA
Council of Local Education Authorities (replaces AEC)
CLCs
City Learning Centres
CLD
Community Learning Development (Scotland)
CLEAPSS
Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services
CLPE
Centre for Language in Primary Education
CLZ
Care Learning Zone
CME
Children Missing from Education
CMHN
Community Mental Health Nurse
CMHT
Community Mental Health Team
CMI
Chartered Management Institute
CNO
Chief Nursing Officer
CoA
Certificate of Achievement (MEG/OCR)
COGS
Co-ordinators of Governor Services
Association of Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants in England (formerly NAIACE)
Confed
Confederation of Education and Children's Services Managers see ADCS
CoP
Code of Practice
COSHH
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
COSLA
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
COSR
Court Ordered Secure Remand
CP
Child Protection
CP
Command Paper
CPA
Centre for Policy on Ageing (formely NCCOP)
CPA
Comprehensive Performance Assessment
CPAG
Child Poverty Action Group
CPB
Crime Prevention Board
CPD
Continuing Professional Development
CPI
Child Poverty Index
CPN
Community Psychiatric Nurse
CPO
Chief Probation Officer
CPR
Child Protection Register
CPS
Crown Prosecution Service
CPS
Common Pay Spine (for teachers)
CPU
Child Protection Unit
CQSW
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (now defunct)
CRAC
Careers Research and Advisory Centre
CRB
Criminal Records Bureau
CRE
Commission for Racial Equality
CSA
Children's Services Authority
CSA
Child Support Agency
Commission for Social Care Inspection (replaces NCSC & SSI in 2004)
CSI
Class Size Initiative
CSIE
Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education
CSN
Children's Services Network
CSP
Children`s Service Plan
CSR
Continuous Student Record
CSRG
Children's Services Research Group (formerly LEARG)
CSS
Certificate in Social Service (now defunct)
CST
Curriculum Support Teachers
CSU
Community Safety Unit
CSYC
Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (Scotland)
CTC
City Technology College
CUREE
Centre for Use of Research and Evidence in Education
CVA
Contextual Value Added
CVCP
Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals of Universities of the UK
CWDC
Children's Workforce Development Council
CWG
Care Workforce Group (within DH)
CWN
Children's Workforce Network
CYPFD
Children, Young People and Families Directorate
CYPP
Children and Young People's Plan
CYPP
Children and Young People's Partnership
CYPS
Children and Young People’s Services
CYPSP
Children and Young People Strategic Partnership
CYPT
Community and Young People Trust
CYPU
Children and Young People's Unit
DAAT
Drug and Alcohol Action Team
DASS
Directors of Adult Social Services
DAT
Drug Action Team
DBFO
Design Build Finance Operate
DCA
Department for Constitutional Affairs
DCC
Devon County Council
DCD
Developmental Coordination Disorder
DCLG
Department for Communities and Local Government
DCMS
Department for Culture Media and Sport
DCS
Director of Children's Services
DCT
Devon Care Training
DDA
Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
DE
Discretionary Exception
DED
Department of Economic Development (refers to Northern Ireland (NI))
DED
Disability Equality Duty
DELLS
Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Wales)
DENI
Department of Education (Northern Ireland)
DEPIS
Drug Education Prevention and Information Service (DoH)
DES
Disability Equality Scheme
DET
Disability Equality Training
DF
Devolved Funding
DfES
Department for Education and Skills
DFS
Devolved Funding Scheme
DfTE
Department for Training and Education (Wales)
DHA
District Health Authority
DHSS (NI)
Department of Health and Social Services (NI)
DipHE
Diploma of Higher Education
DipSW
Diploma in Social Work (replaced in England by degree course from 2003)
DLOs
Desirable Learning Outcomes
DoH, DH
Department of Health
DPA
Data Protection Act
DPC
Data Protection Commission
DRB
Designated Recommending Body
DRC
Disability Rights Commission
DRTF
Disability Rights Task Force
DSG
Designated School Grant
DSO
Direct Service Organisation
DT
Design and Technology
DTLR
Department for Transport, Local Government and Regions
DTTOs
Drug Testing and Treatment Orders
Dysg
Learning and Skills Development Agency (Wales)
E2E
Entry to Employment
E2L
English as a Second Language
E&T
Education & Training
EA
Education Authority (Scotland)
EAF
Education Action Forums
EAL
English as an Additional Language
EAZ
Education Action Zone
EAZ
Education Achievement Zone
EBD
Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
EBDOG
Education Building and Development Officers Group
EBN
Exceptional Basic Need
EBP
Education Business Partnership
EBSD
Emotional Behavioural and Social Difficulties
ECM
Every Child Matters
ECYPPC
Education of Children and Young People in Public Care
EDI
Electronic Data Interchange
EDIM
Equality and Diversity Impact Measure
EDP
Education Development Plan
EDSI
Education Departments` Superhighways Initiative
EDT
Education Development Target
EEC
Early Excellence Centres
EFL
English as a Foreign Language
EFQM
European Foundation for Quality Management
EFS
Education Formula Spending
EFSG
Education Finance Strategy Group
EHE
Elective Home Education
EiC
Excellence in Cities
EIP
Early Intervention Programme
EIPs
Education Improvement Partnerships
ELB
Education & Library Board (refers to NI)
ELG
Early Learning Goals
ELS
Early Literacy Support
ELWa
Education and Learning Wales is now part of DELLS
EMA
Education Maintenance Allowance
EMAG
Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant
EMAS
Ethnic Minority Achievement Service
EMS
Education Management System
EMTAG
Ethnic Minority and Travellers Achievement Grant
EMU
Education for Mutual Understanding (N. Ireland)
ENTO
Employment National Training Organisation
EO
Education Officer
EO
Employers Organisation (Local Government)
EO
Equal Opportunities
EOC
Equal Opportunities Commission
EOTAS
Education Otherwise Than At School
EP
Educational Psychologist
EPO
Emergency Protection Order
EPPI Centre
Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre
EPS
Education Psychology Service
ERA
Education Reform Act 1988
ERO
Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 (N. Ireland)
ESBD
Emotional Social and Behavioural Difficulties
ESDGC
Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship
ESF
European Social Fund
ESIS
Education and School Improvement Service
ESL
English as a Second Language
ESO
Education Supervision Order
ESOL
English for Speakers of Other Languages
ESP
Education Strategic Plan (Wales)
ESPP
Early Support Pilot Programme
ESS
Education Standard Spending
Estyn
Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales
ESW
Educational Social Worker
ETI
Education and Training Inspectorate (N. Ireland)
ETS
Excellent Teacher Scheme
EWA
Education Welfare Adviser
EWO
Education Welfare Officer
EWS/ESWS
Education Welfare Service/Education Social Work Service
EY
Early Years
EYDCP
Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership
EYDP
Early Years Development Plan
EYFS
Early Years Foundation Stage
EYP
Early Years Professional
EYU
Early Years Unit
FAETC
Further Adult Education Teaching Certificate
FAS
Funding Agency for Schools
FASNA
Foundation and Aided Schools National Association
FE
Forms of Entry
FE
Further Education
FEFC
Further Education Funding Council
FENTO
Further Education National Training Organisation
FERL
Further Education Resources for Learning
FEU
Further Education Curriculum Review and Development Unit
FGC
Family Group Conference
FIS
Financial Information System
FMA
Foundation Modern Apprenticeships
FMR
Financial Management Regulations
FMSIS
The Financial Management Standard
FPC
Family Proceedings Court
FRG
Family Rights Group
FS
Foundation Stage
FSES
Full Service Extended Schools
FSM
Free School Meals
FSP
Foundation Stage Profile
FSS
Formula Spending Shares
FSU
Foundation Stage Units
FSW
Family Social Worker
FTE
Full Time Equivalent
FTET
Full Time Education and Training
FTEx
Fixed Term Exclusion
G & T
Gifted and Talented
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GAE
Grant Aided Expenditure (Scotland)
GAL
Guardian Ad Litem
The Guardian ad Litem service is governed by the Guardians ad Litem and Reporting Officers Regulations 1991 and section 41 of the Children Act 1989. A Guardian ad Litem is usually a social worker who theoretically acts independently of the local authority. The main duty of the Guardian ad Litem is to 'safeguard and promote' the child's welfare and to recommend what order the court should make in care or supervision proceedings, taking into account the child's wishes and feelings and ensuring that they are made known to the court.
GCSE
General Certificate of Secondary Education
GED
Gender Equality Duty
GEST
Grants for Education Support and Training (Wales)
GF
General Fund (of a Local Education Authority)
GIS
Geographic Information Systems
GM
Grant Maintained
GMIS
Grant Maintained Integrated Status (N. Ireland)
GMS
Grant Maintained School
GNVQ
General National Vocational Qualification
GO
Government Office (for a given city or region)
GRE
Grant Related Expenditure
GRICS
Grant Reduction of Infant Class Sizes (Wales)
GRTP
Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme
GSB
General Schools Budget
GSCC
General Social Care Council
GSVQ
General Scottish Vocational Qualification
GTC
General Teaching Council
GTCNI
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland
GTCS
General Teaching Council for Scotland
GTCW
General Teaching Council for Wales
GTP
Graduate Teacher Programme
H&S
Health and Safety
HA
Health Authority
HAD
Hyperactivity Disorder
HAZ
Health Action Zone
HAD
Health Development Agency
HE
Higher Education
HEA
Health Education Authority
HEADLAMP
Headteachers` Leadership and Management Programme
HEART
Handling Emotion, Aggression and Restraint
HEFCE
Higher Education Funding Council for England
HEFCW
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
HEI
Higher Education Institutions
HG
Higher Grade (Scotland)
HI
Hearing Impaired
HIMP
Health Improvement Plan
HImP
Health Improvement Programme
HIP
Headteacher Induction Programme
HKD
Hyperkinetic Disorder
HLTA
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
HMCI
Her Majesty`s Chief Inspector of Schools
HMI
Her Majesty's Inspectors
HMICA
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Court Administration
HMIE
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (Scotland)
HMIS
Her Majesty`s Inspectors of Schools (Scotland)
HO
Home Office
HoNOSCA
Health of the Nation Outcomes
HOPE
Hospital Organisation of Pedagogues in Europe
HOY
Head of Year
HPPS
Health Promoting School Project
HRD
Human Resources Development
HRDSG
Human Resources Development Strategy Grant
HRM
Human Resources Management
HSA
Home School Agreement
HSCWG
Health and Social Care Workforce Group (see also SHCWG)
HSE
Health and Safety Executive
HSSB
Health and Social Services Board (refers to NI)
HTP
Headship Training Plan
HV
Health Visitor
IAG
Information Advice and Guidance (Careers)
IAL
Indicated Admissions Limit
IAP
Individual Action Plan
IB
International Baccalaureate
IBP
Individual Behaviour Plan
ICG
Institute of Careers Guidance
ICN
Integrated Care Network
ICN
Interim Care Network
ICO
Independent Care Organisations
ICON
Independent Care Organisations Network
ICS
Integrated Care System
ICS
Integrated Community Schools (Scotland)
ICS
Integrated Children's System (Dept. of Health)
ICS
Information Classification System (DfES)
ICSP
Infant Class Size Plan
ICT
Information and Communications Technology
IDACI
Income deprivation affecting children
IDeA
Improvement and Development Agency
IEA
Independent External Adjudicator
IEA
Institute of Educational Assessors
IEA
International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement
IEP
Individual Education Plan
IEP
Individualised Education Programme (Scotland)
IEP
Increased Flexibility Programme
IGCSE
International General Certificate of Secondary Education
IHA
Independent Healthcare Association
IiP
Investors in People
ILAs
Individual Learning Accounts
ILT
Information and Learning Technology (FE)
IMD
Index of Multiple Deprivation
INCA
International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks
INEA
Inspection of Education Authorities (Scotland)
info4local
Information for Local Government from Central Government
INSET
In-Service Education and Training (for Teachers)
IPDA
International Professional Development Association
IPDS
Integrated Personal Development System
IPPR
Institute for Public Policy Research
Independent Parental Supporter
IPSEA
Independent Panel for Special Educational Advice
IRSC
Investigation and Referral Support Co-ordinators
IRT
Identification, Referral and Tracking
IRU
Implementation Review Unit
IS
Information Systems
IS
Integrated Community Schools (Scotland)
ISA
Independent Schools Association
ISA
Information Sharing and Assessment
ISB
Individual Schools Budget
ISC
Independent Schools Council
ISCG
Information for School and College Governors
ISI
Independent Schools Inspectorate
ISI
Information Sharing Index
ISIS
Independent Schools Information Service
ISP
Integrated Service Plan
ISR
Individual School Range
IT
Information Technology
ITT
Initial Teacher Training
JAB
Joint Awarding Bodies
JAR
Joint Area Review
JAT
Joint Agency Teams
JCQ
Joint Council for Qualifications
JMC
Joint Management Committee
JMI
Junior Mixed and Infant
JUC
Joint Universities Council
JV
Joint Venture
KiT
Keeping in Touch (with teaching)
KS
Key Stage
KS1, etc.
Key Stage 1, etc.
KSF
Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS)
L1, etc.
Leadership (Pay) Scale or Spine, Point 1, etc
LA
Local Authority
LAA
Local Area Agreement
LAC
Looked After Children
LACA
Local Authorities Catering Association
LAPs
Local Area Partnerships
LARCI
Local Authority Research Council Initiative
LARIA
Local Authorities Research and Intelligence Association
LASS
Local Authority Social Services (refers to England & Wales)
LASW
Local Authority Social Worker
LCM
Lead Case Manager
LDD
Learning Difficulties and Disabilities
LEA
Local Education Authority
LEARG
Local Education Authorities Research Group see CSRG
LEAWARDS
Local Education Authority Award System
LEC
Local Enterprise Company (Scotland)
LEP
Local Education Partnership
LERN
London Education Research Network
LEV
Lead External Verifier
LGA
Local Government Association
LGAR
Local Government Analysis and Research
LGBT
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender/Transexual
LGIP
Local Government Improvement Project
LGIU
Local Government Information Unit
LGR
Local Government Reorganisation
LIFE
Learning Is For Everyone (Wales)
LIFT
Local Improvement Finance Trust
LIG
Local Implementation Group
LIG
Leadership Incentive Grant
LLDP
Lifelong Learning Development Plan
LLP
Lifelong Learning Partnerships
LLUK
Lifelong Learning UK
LMC
Local Management Committee
LMCE
Local Management in Community Education
LMI
Labour Market Information
LMS
Local Management of Schools
LMSS
Local Management of Special Schools
LP
Learning Partnership
LP
Lead Professional
LPS
Local Preventative Strategy
LPSA
Local Public Service Agreement
LPSH
Leadership Programme for Serving Heads
LRC
Learning Resource Centre
LRCN
Learning Resource Centre Network
LS
Leadership (Pay) Scale or Spine
LSA
Learning Support Assistant
LSC
Learning Skills Council
LSCB
Local Safeguarding Children Board
LSDA
Learning and Skills Development Agency (previously FEDA)
LSDANI
Learning and Skills Development Agency Northern Ireland
LSIF
Local Services Inspectorate Forum
LSN
Learning and Skills Network
LSP
Local Strategic Partnership
LSRC
Learning and Skills Research Centre
LSU
Learning Support Unit
LTS
Learning and Teaching Scotland
LW or LWA
London Weighting or London Weighting Allowance
M&E
Monitoring and Evaluation
MA
Modern Apprenticeship
MA
Master of Arts Degree
MAPPA
Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements
MAST
Marking and Support Time
MAT
Multi-Agency Team
MCA
Mental Capacity Act
MCI
Management Charter Initiative
MDA
Mid-day Assistant
MDS
Midday Supervisor
ME
Mandatory Exceptions
ME
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. It is also known as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
MFL
Modern Foreign Languages
MHO
Mental Health Officer
MIN
Meeting Individual Needs
MIND
National Association for Mental Health
MIS
Management Information System(s)
MISE
Management Information Systems in Education
MLD
Moderate Learning Difficulties
MNSI
Multi-needs Sensory Impairment
MOE
More Open Enrolment
MPA
Multi-Professional Assessment
MPG
Main Professional Grade (for teachers)
MSCW
Modernising the Social Care Workforce
MSFU
Manufacturing Science & Finance Union (now Amicus MSF)
MSI
Multi-Sensory Impairment
MYP
Member of Youth Parliament
N/SVQs
National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications
NA (or NAW)
National Assembly (for Wales)
NAA
National Assessment Agency
NAACE
National Association of Advisors for Computers in Education
NAAPS
National Association of Adult Placements
NACCCE
National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education
NACCEG
National Advisory Council for Careers and Educational Guidance
NACE
National Association for Able Children in Education
NACESW
National Association of Chief Education Social Workers
NACETT
National Advisory Council on Education and Training Targets
NACVS
National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service
NAED
National Assembly Education Department (Wales)
NAEIAC
National Association of Educational Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants (see ASPECT)
NAES
National Association of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulty Schools
NAfW
National Assembly for Wales
NAGC
National Association for Gifted Children
NAGCELL
National Advisory Group on Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
NAGTY
National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth
NAHHT
National Association of Hospital and Home Teachers
NAHT
National Association of Head Teachers
NAI
Non-Accidental Injury
NAIACE
National Association of Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants in Education (see COMPACT)
NALS
National Audit Learning Survey
NAO
National Audit Office
NAPE
National Association for Primary Education
NAPO
National Association of Probation Officers
NAPP
National Association for Primary Providers
NAS
National Autistic Society
NASEN
National Association for SEN
NASG
National Association of School Governors: now NGA
NASS
National Association of Non-Maintained and Approved Independent Schools
NASSIPS
National Association of Senior School Improvement Professionals (replaced SCIA and is now part of AD)
NASUWT
National Association for School Masters/Union of Women Teachers
NASWE
National Association of Social Workers in Education
NATE
National Association for the Teaching of English
NATOPSS
National Association of Training Officers in Personal Social Services (defunct, now Learn to Care)
NAW
National Assembly for Wales
NBAE
National Behaviour and Attendance Exchange
NBS
National Board of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland
NC
National Curriculum
NCA
National Care Association
NCB
National Children's Bureau
NCCA
National Community Care Alliance
NCE
National Commission on Education
NCER
National Consortium for Examination Results
NCET
National Council for Educational Technology
NCH
The Children's Charity
NCOGS
National Co-ordinators of Governor Services
NCPTA
National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations
NCS
New Community School (Scotland)
NCS
National Childcare Strategy
National Care Standards Commission, now CSCI
NCSL
National College for School Leadership
NCT
Non-contact Time
NCT
National Curriculum Tests
NCVCCO
National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations
NCVO
National Council of Voluntary Organisations
NCVQ
National Council of Vocational Qualifications
NCY
National Curriculum Year
NDC
New Deal for Communities
NDCPP
New Deal for Communities Pathfinder Partnerships
NDNA
National Day Nurseries Association
NDO
National Development Officer (Target setting for children with SEN) (Scotland)
NDP
New Deal Partnerships
NDPB
Non-Departmental Public Body
NDS
New Deal for Schools
NEBP
National Education Business Partnership
NEET
Not in Education Employment or Training
NEF
Nursery Education Funding
NEOST
National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers
NERF
National Educational Research Forum
NERS
National Exclusions Reporting System
NESTA
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
NETT
National Education and Training Targets
NFER
National Foundation for Educational Research
NFPI
National Family and Parenting Institute
National Governors' Association
NGfL
National Grid for Learning
NHS
National Health Service
NHSP
National Healthy Schools Programme
NHSS
National Healthy School Standard
NHSU
NHS University
NIACE
National Institute for Adult & Continuing Education
NIC
Northern Ireland Curriculum
NICCEA
Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
NICE
National Institute for Clinical Excellence
NICEC
National Institute of Careers and Education Counselling
NICIE
Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education
NIESR
National Institute of Economic and Social Research
NIMHE
National Institute of Mental Health in England
NIQETP
Northern Ireland Post Qualifying Education and Training Partnership
NISCC
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
NISCP
Northern Ireland Social Care Partnership
NISVQ
National Information Service for Vocational Qualifications
NISW
National Institute of Social Work
NLGN
New Local Government Network
NLN
New Learning Network
NLP
National Literacy Project
NLS
National Literacy Strategy
NMDS
National Minimum Data Set
NMS
National Minimum Standards
NMSS
Non-maintained Special School (Scotland)
NNEB
National Nursery Examination Board
NNS
National Numeracy Strategy
NO
Named Officer
NOF
New Opportunities Fund
NOPT
National Organisation of Practice Teachers
NOR
Number on Roll
NOS
National Occupational Standards
NP
Named Person (see also IPS)
NphA
National Primary Headteachers' Association
NPP
National Partnership Protocol
NPQ
National Professional Qualification
NPQH
National Professional Qualification for Headship
NPQSL
National Professional Qualifications for Subject Leaders
NPS
National Pay Spine (for teachers)
NPSL-BA
National Programme of Specialist Leaders for Behaviour and Attendance
NQT
Newly Qualified Teacher
NRA
National Records of Achievement
NRF
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
NRT
National Remodelling Team
NRwS
New Relationship with Schools
NSEAD
National Society for Education in Art and Design
NSF
National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services
NSPCC
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
NSSEN
Non-Statemented Special Educational Needs
NSSIPs
National Standards for School Improvement Professionals
NT
National Traineeship
NTA
National Training Award
NTA
Non-Teaching Assistant
NTAS
National Teaching and Advisory Service
NTDP
National Training Development Plan
NTO
National Training Organisation (now replaced by Sector Skills Council (SSC))
NTSG
National Training Strategy Grant
NUPE
National Union of Public Employees
NUT
National Union of Teachers
NVQ
National Vocational Qualification
NWPU
Needs Weighted Pupil Unit
NYA
National Youth Agency
NYAS
National Youth Advocacy Service
OCR
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
OCR
Ofsted Childcare Register
OCRD
Office of the Children's Rights Director
ODPM
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
OEAP
Outdoor Education Advisers' Panel
OFSTED
Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
OHP
Occupational Health Practitioner
OIS
Police Operational Information System
OLA
Outer London Allowance
OMR
Optical Mark Reader
ONS
Office for National Statistics
OOSH
Out Of School Hours
OOSHL
Out of School Hours Learning
OPCA
Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
OPM
Office of Public Management
OSC
Occupational Standards Committee
OSCI
Out of School Childcare Initiatives
OSHL
Out of School Hours Learning
OSQG
Occupational Standards and Qualifications Group
OT
Occupational Therapist
OTT
Overseas Trained Teacher
OU
Open University
P1, P2 etc
Primary 1, Primary 2, etc (Scotland)
PACE
Police and Criminal Evidence Act
PAF
Performance Assessment Framework
PAL
Published Admissions Limit
PAL
Planned Admission Limit
PAN
Published Admission Number
PAN
Planned Admission Number
PANDA
Performance and Assessment Data (Report)
PAS
Performance Assessment Framework
PAS
Post Adoption Support
PAT
Pupil Achievement Tracker
PAT
Pupil Attainment Target
PAT
Professional Association of Teachers
PATA
Parent and Toddler Association
Paulo
NTO for community-based learning and development
PAYP
Positive Activities for Young People
PCR
Post Court Report
PCT
Primary Care Trust
PD
Physical Disabilities
PDC
Professional Development Centre
PE
Physical Education
PEACH
Parents for the Early Intervention of Autism in Children
PEEP
Peers Early Education Projects
PEO
Principal Education Officer
PEP
Personal Education Plan
PFI
Private Finance Initiative
PfS
Partnerships for Schools
PH
Physically Handicapped
PHCT
Primary Health Care Team
PI
Performance Indicator
PIAP
Post-Inspection Action Plan
PICSI
Pre-Inspection Context and School Indicator
PIN
Parents Information Network
PIN
Pupil Inclusion Network
PIRGE
Performance Information Reference Group in Education
PISA
Programme for International Student Assessment
PIT
Pool of Inactive Teachers
PIU
Performance and Innovation Unit
PIVATS
Performance Indicators for Value Added Target Setting
PLA
Pre-school Learning Alliance
PLASC
Pupil Level Annual School Census
PLC
Public Limited Company
PLO
Police Liaison Officer
PLP
Primary Leadership Programme
PLT
Practice Learning Taskforce
PM
Performance Management
PMB
Partnership Management Board (Northern Ireland)
PMLD
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
PNS
Primary National Strategy
PoCA
Protection of Children Act
POS
Programme of Study
POVA
Protection of Vulnerable Adults
PPA
Pre-school Playgroups Association
PPA
Planning Preparation and Assessment
PPI
Public Performance Indicator
PPO
Police Protection Order
PPP
Pupil Place Planning
PPP
Public Private Partnership
PPS
Parent Partnership Services
PPSW
Pupil Parent Support Worker
PQ
Post Qualifying
PQCC
Post Qualifying Child Care
PQSW
Post Qualifying Award in Social Work
PR
Policy Review
PRC
Pupil Referral Centre
PRG
Pupil Retention Grants
PRP
Performance Related Pay
PRP
Pupil Referral Panel
PRU
Pupil Referral Unit
PS
Partially Sighted
PSA
Parent School Association
PSA
Public Service Agreement
PSAG
Project and Standards Advisory Committee (of QCA)
PSBS
Public Services Benchmarking Service
PSCL
Primary Strategy Consultant Leader
PSE
Personal and Social Education
PSHE
Personal, Social and Health Education
PSLD
Physical and Severe Learning Difficulties
PSP
Pastoral Support Programme
PSR
Pre Sentence Report
PSS
Personal Social Services
PSSA
Primary Schools Sports Association
PT
Practice Teaching
PT
Principal Teacher (Scotland)
PT
Part-time
PTA
Parent Teacher Association
PTA
Practice Teaching Award
PTP
Practice Teacher Programme
PTR
Pupil Teacher Ratio
PYOs
Persistent Young Offenders
QA
Quality Assurance
QAA
Quality Assurance Agency
QAS
Quality Assurance System
QCA
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
QDC
Qualifications Data Collection Steering Group
QFAD
Qualifications and Financial Assurance Division (DfEE)
QIA
Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning
QRF
Quality Reward Funding (Wales)
QT
Qualified Teacher
QTS
Qualified Teacher Status
R&I
Registration and Inspection
RA
Reading Age
RAC
Regional Advisory Council for Further Education
RAISE
Reporting and Analysis for Improvement Through School Self-Evaluation
RAMP
Regional Accreditation and Moderation Panels (for Youth Service Training)
RAZ
Rural Action Zone
RBL
Resource Based Learning
RCB
Remanded on Conditional Bail
RDA
Regional Development Agency
RE
Religious Education
REACH
Record of Achievement
REE
Register of Educational Establishments
RGN
Registered General Nurse
RIA
Regulatory Impact Assessment (under DDA, Part 3)
RIC
Remanded In Custody
RIC
Remand in custody
RIG
Rapid Implementation Group
RIG
Rewards and Incentives Group
RiP
Research in Practice
RISP
Regional Inspection Service Providers
RLAA
Remand in Local Authority Accommodation
RMA
Registered Manager (Adults)
RMO
Responsible Medical Officer
RNHA
Registered Nursing Homes Association
ROA
Record of Achievement
RSG
Revenue Support Grant
RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury
RSM
Recruitment Strategy Manager
RSO
Residence Order
RSSI
Raising School Standards Initiative (N. Ireland)
RTP
Registered Teacher Programme
RUB
Remanded on Unconditional Bail
RYOGENS
Reducing Youth Offending Generic National Solutions
S1, S2, etc
Secondary 1, Secondary 2, etc (Scotland)
S/NVQ
Scottish/National Vocational Qualification
SA
Special Agreement
SA
Spelling Age
SA
Statutory Assessment
SACRE
Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education
SAI
Schools Access Initiative
SALT
Speech and Language Therapy
SaLTS
Schools and Local Authority Target Setting
SAO
School Attendance Order
SAT
Standard Assessment Task (or Test)
SBPO
School Based Police Officer
SBS
Small Business Service
SCA
Social Care Association (previously RCA)
SCA
Supplementary Credit Approval
SCAA
School Curriculum and Assessment Authority
SCAFA
Scottish Child and Family Alliance (replaces SAVCCO)
SCD
Severe Communication Difficulties
SCE
Service Children's Education
SCF
Scottish Credit Framework
SCET
Scottish Council for Educational Technology
SCETT
Standing Committee for the Education and Training of Teachers
SCIE
Social Care Institute for Excellence
SCILS
Social Care Information and Learning Services
SCIS
Scottish Council of Independent Schools
SCITT
School-Centred Initial Teacher Training
SCOTVEC
Scottish Vocational Education Certificate
ScotXed
Scottish Exchange of Educational Data
SCRE
Scottish Council for Research in Education
SCYA
Sefydliad Cenedlaethol er Ymchwil i Addysg
SDF
Service Development Fund
SDG
School Development Grant
SDP
School Development Plan
SDPR
Staff Development and Performance Review (N. Ireland)
SE
Scottish Executive
SEAL
Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning
SEBD
Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
SEBDA
Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Association
SEBS
Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills
SEED
Scottish Executive Education Department
S’EEN
The Schools' Enterprise Education Network
SEF
Self Evaluation Form
SEN
Special Educational Needs
SEN
State Enrolled Nurse
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
SEND
Special Educational Needs Database
SENDA
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
SENDIST
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
SENDO
Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (Northern Ireland)
SENIMS
Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools
SENJIT
Special Educational Needs Joint Initiative for Training
SENSS
Special Educational Needs Support Service
SENT
Special Educational Needs Tribunal
SEP
Single Education Plan
SERF
Special Education Resource Facility
SERSEN
South East Regional Special Educational Needs Partnership
SEU
Standards and Effectiveness Unit (DfES)
SEU
Social Exclusion Unit (Cabinet Office)
SF
Standards Fund
SFEDI
Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative, the Small Firms NTO
Skills for Care
SFCF
Sixth Form Colleges' Forum
SFEFC
Scottish Further Education Funding Council
SfH
Skills for Health
SFIG
School Funding Implementation Group
SFM
Standard Figure of Maintenance
SFSS
Schools Formula Spending Share
SG
Standard Grade (Scotland)
SHA
Strategic Health Authority
SHA
Secondary Heads Association
SHCWG
Social & Health Care Workforce Group (see HSCWG)
SHEFC
Scottish Higher Educational Funding Council
SHEU
Schools Health Education Unit
SILO
Schools Industry Liaison Officer
SIMS
School Information Management System
SIP
School Improvement Plan
SIP
School Improvement Partner
SIPS
School Inclusion: Pupil Support
SIPs
School Improvement Professionals
SIPs
Social Inclusion Partnerships
SLA
Service Level Agreement
SLC
Student Loans Company
SLCN
Speech, Language and Communication Needs
SLD
Specific Learning Difficulties (see also SpLD)
SLDD
Student with Learning Difficulty and/or Disability
SLI
Specific Language Impairment
SLICT
Strategic Leadership of ICT Programme
SLOGIN
Scottish Local Government Information Unit Network
SLS
School Library Service
SLT
Speech and Language Therapy
SMART
Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic, Timed
SME
Small to Medium Enterprises
SME
Small and Medium Sized Enterprise
SN
School Nurse
SN
Special Needs
SN
Standard Number
SNA
Special Needs Assistant
SNB
Scottish National Board for Nursing
SNIP
Special Needs Improvement Plan
SO
Supervision Order
SOC
School Organisation Committee
SOLACE
Society of Local Authority Chief Executives
SOP
School Organisation Plan
SPE
Single Point of Entry
SpLD
Specific Learning Difficulties
SPTC
Scottish Parent Teacher Council
SQA
Scottish Qualifications Authority
SRB
Single Regeneration Budget
SRCF
Schools Renewal Challenge Fund
SRE
Sex and Relationship Education
SRN
State Registered Nurse
SRS
Safer Routes to School
SSA
Standard Spending Assessment
SSA
Student Support Assistant
SSBA
Scottish School Board Association
SSC
Sector Skills Council
SSCo
School Sport Co-ordinators
SSD
Social Services Directorate/Department
SSDA
Sector Skills Development Agency
SSFA
School Standards and Framework Act
SSF
School Standards Fund
SSG
School Standards Grant
SSI
Social Services Inspectorate (see CSCI)
SSI
Specialist Schools Initiative
SSLD
Specific Speech and Learning Difficulties
SSP
Specialist Schools Programme
SSP
Starting salary point
SSP
Safer School Partnership
SSSC
Scottish Social Services Council
STA
Specialist Teacher Assistant
STAR
Specialist Teacher Assistants Record
STO
Statutory Transfer Order
STPCD
School Teachers` Pay and Conditions Document
STRB
School Teachers Review Body
SVOTVEC
Scottish Vocational Educational Council
SVQ
Scottish Vocational Qualifications
SW
Social Worker
SWAS
Social Work Admissions System
SWDB
School Workforce Development Board
SWDS
Social Work Department Scotland
SWEC
Social Work Education Committee (part of JUC)
SWSI
Social Work Services Inspectorate, Scotland
SYS
Sixth Year Studies (Scotland)
TA
Teaching Assistant
TAC
Team Around the Child
TACADE
Teachers' Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education
TCF
Targeted Capital Fund
Training and Development Agency for Schools (formerly TTA)
TEC
Training and Enterprise Council
TECnc
Training and Enterprise Council National Council
TEFL
Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
Tellus
Ofsted local area survey of children and young people
TES
Traveller Education Service
TES
Times Educational Supplement
TESOL
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TESSS
The Extended Schools Support Service
TLR
Teaching and Learning Responsibility Payment
TLRP
Teaching and Learning Research Programme
TLRs
Teaching and Learning Responsibility Payments
TMS
Teacher's Management Scale
TNA
Training Needs Analysis
TPS
Teachers Pay Spine
TPS
Teachers Pension Scheme
Topss England (now Skills for Care)
Topss England, The former National Training Organisation for Social Care
TQA
Teaching Quality Assessment
TQM
Total Quality Management
TSC
Training Standards Council (replaced by LSCs)
TSF
Training Support Fund
TSI
Technology Schools Initiative
TSI(F)
Training Strategy Implementation (Fund)
TSN
Targetting Social Need (Northern Ireland)
TSP
Training Support Programme
TTA
Teacher Training Agency (see TDA)
TUPE
Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment
U3A
University of the Third Age
UA
Unitary Authority
UCAC
Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (National Association of the Teachers of Wales)
UCAS
University and College Admissions Services
UCET
The Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
UFA
University of the First Age
UfI
University for Industry
UK
United Kingdom
UKHCA
UK Home Care Association
UKOSG
UK Occupational Standards Group
UKP
UK Partnership
UNCRC
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
UNISON
Public services trade union
UPN
Unique Pupil Number
UPS
Upper pay scale
URN
Unique Reference Number
VA
Voluntary Aided
VAC
Very Able Children
VC
Voluntary Controlled
VCE
Vocational Certificate of Education
VCOs
Voluntary and Community Organisations
VCS
Voluntary and Community Sector
VCT
Voluntary Competitive Tendering
VET
Vocational and Educational Training
VETQ
Vocational Education, Training & Qualifications
VFM
Value for Money
VI
Visually Impaired
VIRIS
Violence Reduction in Schools
VQ
Vocational Qualification
VRQ
Verbal Reasoning Quotient
VRQ
Vocational Related Qualification
VSC
Virtual Staff College
VSN
Voluntary Sector Network
VTC
Virtual Teacher Centre
WAG
Welsh Assembly Government
WAGM
Workforce Agreement Monitoring Group
WBL
Work-Based Learning
WDC
Workforce Development Confederations
WFPO
Welsh Family Proceedings Officer
WJEC
Welsh Joint Education Committee
WLB
Welsh Language Board
WLGA
Welsh Local Government Association
WNAB
Workforce Numbers Advisory Board
WRA
Workforce Reform Agenda
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YISP
Youth Inclusion and Support Panels
YOI
Young Offenders Institution
YOS
Youth Offending Service
YOT
Youth Offending Team
YSS
Youth Support Service
YT
Youth training
YTS
Youth Training Scheme
YW
Youth Worker
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This list is compiled from a variety of sources, if any of the data is out of date or inaccurate, we do apologise and ask that you inform us of any errors you may have encountered