What is the AMAP and what does it mean for Schools, Academies and Governors?
AMAP is short for Asbestos Management Assurance Process.
It has been developed in the form of an online portal set up to collect information about how asbestos is managed in state-funded schools and academies, and whether that management is in compliance with the relevant legislation and guidance.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) recently published the online portal user-guide to support organisations who need to undertake this. And the clock is ticking, with responses required by the end of May.
What is the key requirement?
The AMAP requires the Responsible Bodies for all state-funded schools and academies to complete the online process and submit an assurance declaration to the ESFA, confirming how their school manages asbestos. All Responsible Bodies are expected to make the declaration. They will need to ensure that they include every school that they are responsible for.
Understanding how your school or academy manages asbestos – how can Inspectas help?
The drive to remove asbestos from schools is high on the government’s agenda as figures show that over a fifth of all schools are not compliant with the correct asbestos procedures.
Therefore,”Responsible Bodies” in the education sector should already be identifying and managing asbestos in their schools as part of their estate management and health and safety duties.
This is where we can help you understand the current asbestos status of your premises.
Introducing “SAAGA” – your FREE and confidential Schools and Academies Asbestos Gap Analysis
In support of the AMAP process, Inspectas have set up our FREE Schools & Academies Asbestos Gap Analysis (SAAGA) process.
With SAAGA, we are offering a free and confidential Gap Analysis to help establish the current asbestos status of your schools or academies. This will ensure that Responsible Bodies are completely informed ahead of submitting your AMAP response.
Contact our Directors Matt Fahy or Craig Candlish today to arrange your free consultation.
What do they mean by “Responsible Bodies”?
The DfE describes “Responsible Bodies” as “the main employer of staff at state funded schools and academies.”
Specifically this means “maintained nursery schools, maintained schools (including primary, secondary and middle schools), maintained special schools and academy special schools, pupil referral units, academies and free schools and non-maintained special schools.”
They can either complete all returns themselves or they can ask their schools to complete the information requested and then submit it to them for review.
Which bodies does it not apply to?
The AMAP will not apply to other types of nursery schools or early years providers, FE and HE institutions and independent schools. While specialist post-16 institutions may have eligible state-funded pupils, those institutions will not be included.
Is it mandatory?
Although it is not described as compulsory, Responsible Bodies are “expected” to comply. The DfE has said that where there are concerns resulting from any assurance declarations, the HSE may need to be involved.
What’s the timeframe?
The AMAP portal will be open for three months (from March 2018) and the process must be completed, and an assurance declaration sent to the ESFA for all of their schools, by 12:00pm on 31 May 2018.
What if there are plans to refurbish my school or academy?
If Responsible Bodies want to do any building or maintenance work in school premises, or on equipment that might contain asbestos, they also need to identify where it is and its type and condition, taking account of the fact that some buildings may contain ‘hidden’ asbestos.
Need support with that? Contact Inspectas today.
What’s a sensible next step?
The DfE strongly recommends that all local authorities, leaders and governing bodies of maintained schools and trusts read the department’s guidance and review their asbestos management arrangements before completing the assurance process. If you need any support in this area we have specific and proven experience of asbestos management in education – fo feel free to contact us for a FREE consultation.
Note:
Before you start work in the AMAP portal, you should read the User Guide PDF, the department’s guidance and the HSE advice and guidance on asbestos management.
You may also want to contact your respective schools (and shared duty holders) to let them know what they are expected to provide and the date that they are expected to provide it. If you have not received your AMAP Code yet, please contact: asbestos.amap@education.gov.uk
If schools have any queries about the wider AMAP process they should also email asbestos.amap@education.gov.uk
If you need to understand your asbestos position prior to responding to AMAP, contact us today.