Tender for: Developing and delivering a training package for Peer Reviewers the Archive Service Accreditation Onsite Assessment Team
Consultancy brief for a consultant to develop and deliver a training package for Peer Reviewers to equip them with skills to be an effective and confident member of the Archive Service Accreditation Onsite Assessment Team
The brief can also be found as a pdf here.
Introduction – Archives and Records Association (ARA)
ARA is the lead professional body for archivists, archive conservators and records managers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The ARA aims to support its membership through training, continuous professional development, identification of employment opportunities, professional help and advice, and by providing a community to which the membership can belong and from which they draw benefit through open discussion and debate, as well as through gathering of information and advice.
Our strategic aims and further information about ARA is available in full on our website www.archives.org.uk
The Archive Service Accreditation Standard and Scheme launched in 2013. In April 2026 an updated Standard replaced the previous version. Archives Service Accreditation is overseen by a UK partnership of the Archives and Records Association, National Records of Scotland, Scottish Council on Archives, The National Archives, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Archives and Records Council Wales and the Welsh Government through its Culture Division.
As a partner in Archive Service Accreditation, ARA is seeking to commission an experienced provider of training in peer reviewing to develop and deliver training in this area to support the delivery of the updated scheme.
Context
Archive Service Accreditation tests how far archive services meet the Accreditation Standard based on the application and supporting documentation submitted by the archive service. In a minimum of 25% of applications an onsite validation visit is also carried out. Assessment of the application for Archives Service Accreditation is undertaken by a member of the assessing body i.e. in England from The National Archives. Some onsite visits are carried out by a member of the assessing body with a peer reviewer.
Peer reviewers are volunteer members of the assessment team who are experienced and practising archive professionals but who in most cases have little or no previous experience of peer reviewing.
During the onsite visit the assessment team will:
discuss with archive service staff aspects of the application for Archive Service Accreditation
review documentation not submitted as part of the application process
review on site services e.g. public services and storage against the Archive Service Accreditation Standard
Peer reviewers will be expected to participate in the onsite visit by:
Preparing for the visit by familiarising themselves with the application for Archive Service Accreditation and supporting documentation, including websites, and identifying areas for discussion
Liaising with the assessment team before the visit to agree agenda for the visit and completing any follow up preparation for the assessment
During the onsite visit reviewing how the archive service meets the standard as described above
Following the visit recording observations and analysis against the standard and making recommendations for practical solutions and development areas using the online assessment form
Training
All peer reviewers attend training to prepare them for the role, by developing knowledge of the Archive Service Accreditation and peer reviewing skills.
That training comprises two elements:
1) Training on Archive Service Accreditation and the administrative elements of the scheme to equip trainees with technical knowledge of the standard and scheme (by The National Archives staff)
2) Training on the role of peer reviewer by an external trainer with reference to their role as part of the onsite assessment team.
Aims and Objectives
1. To develop a model training session and supporting materials to prepare trainees for the role of peer reviewer as part of the onsite assessment team for Archive Service Accreditation by using a variety of teaching and learning techniques. The training session (or sessions) will be delivered online for up to twenty trainees. It will be a substantial learning experience and deliver at least four hours of training.
At the end of the training the attendees should:
Understand what a peer reviewer is and isn’t – understand the characteristics of a good peer reviewer
Understand their role as part of the onsite assessment team and how and where they can contribute to the assessment
Feel confident that they have the communication and rapport building skills to carry out their role, including obtaining facts and information about how the archive service meets the standard
Feel confident using techniques for reviewing evidence, giving advice and making recommendations on best practice as part of the assessment
2. To develop a flexible training session and supporting materials to refresh existing peer reviewers in their role and reflect on their actual experiences and those of other peers. The training session will last up to two hours and be delivered online for up to twenty trainees.
At the end of the training the attendees should:
Be reminded of what a peer reviewer is and isn’t.
Be reminded of their role as part of the onsite assessment team and how and where they can contribute to the assessment
Have reflected on their approach to peer review, where they can strengthen their skills and how they can meet challenges
Have refreshed the communication and rapport building skills and techniques for reviewing evidence, giving advice and making recommendations to carry out their role
3. Develop supporting material for use in the training sessions and which trainees can use as reference material after the training sessions.
4. Deliver one training session for new peer reviewers in autumn 2026.
5. Deliver one refresher training session for experienced peer reviewers in spring 2027
6. Review the training after delivery and recommend amendments to the models and supporting material where required. The successful trainer may be offered the opportunity to deliver additional training sessions at a later date as the programme continues.
7. Work with relevant staff at The National Archives and the Archives and Records Association in developing the training session to an agreed work schedule and deadline, providing updates on progress as agreed to ensure effective co-ordination and delivery.
8. The IP in the training material will be owned by the ARA.
Key sources of information
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/archive-service-accreditation/
https://www.archives.org.uk/peer-reviewers
Methodology
Please tell us in your proposal how you will plan and deliver the work to achieve the aims and objectives described above.
Product
Model training session to prepare trainees for role of peer reviewer in Archive Service Accreditation
Model training session to refresh experienced peer reviewers about the role.
Delivery of one introductory training online (new reviewers)
Delivery of one two hour session online (refresher)
Costs
The total budget available for delivery of this piece of work is £15,000.
Liability Insurance
Please include a copy of your professional liability cover with the proposal.
Contractor Personnel
Please include in your proposal details of who would be working on the project with a clear indication of who will be leading.
Monitoring
John Chambers, Chief Executive, Archives and Records Association and Melinda Haunton, Programme Manager (Archive Service Accreditation), The National Archives will be your contacts for this project.
Quotations and timings
Completed proposals should be sent by e-mail to John Chambers, Chief Executive, Archives and Records Association, john.chambers@archives.org.uk by 15th May 2026.
The appointed consultant is expected to start work in June 2026 with a completion date of September 2026 for the training packages. Dates for delivery of the two training sessions will then be confirmed with Archives and Records Association and The National Archives.
For an informal discussion contact: Melinda Haunton Telephone 020 3908 9280 or email Melinda.Haunton@nationalarchives.gov.uk