Accreditation scheme set up for BSF design advisers

Design professionals are being urged to apply to become accredited client design advisers to work with local authorities, schools and contractors under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The education client design advisers (CDAs) are intended to help projects reach the minimum design standard, which was introduced in May last year. Designs falling short of the standard will not proceed through procurement and into construction. 

Local authorities will be expected to select an accredited Education CDA to work with them throughout their BSF project, from initial project planning and stakeholder engagement, through design and after the school is in use.

The role will involve guiding local authorities through the procurement process. The CDAs will also be required to advise on sustainability issues.

Built environment professionals will be able to apply to be on the CDA list from tomorrow.

The list is being set up jointly by Partnerships for Schools, the Royal Institute of British Architects and CABE.

Applications can be made online from Thursday 19 March via the RIBA website.

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2010, with the accredited list due to be published in June.