Should I or shouldn't I? What to consider when hiring a consultant for your school

Hiring a consultant has real advantages and real drawbacks. Weigh them up carefully before you contact anyone, including us.

Start with a few honest questions. Is your project short and temporary, or long term? (We are not going to stay around for long.) Do you already have the specialist knowledge in-house? How do the costs of an employee compare with consultancy fees? A consultant's rate can look expensive next to a salary, but there are other factors to consider. How much control do you need, and would an employee or a consultant suit that better? And what will the impact be on your team? Will the consultant fit your school's values and culture?

What a consultant can bring

Expertise

Perhaps the biggest advantage of a consultant. They usually work in very specific areas and bring the detailed, in-depth expertise your school needs.

Flexibility

A consultant can take on a short, specific piece of work or one that lasts a few weeks. They can be parachuted in to fix a knotty problem and leave again, without you having to hire a new employee. Many consultants can also work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Filling a skills gap

If your school needs expertise it does not have in-house, or only needs a particular skill set now and then, a consultant may be the most efficient option. Trying to fill a temporary or specialist gap with a full-time employee is often costly and time-consuming.

Quick impact

When you need a clearly defined piece of work done urgently, a consultant can be far quicker than a lengthy recruitment process.

A fresh perspective

Consultants can often offer alternative solutions. A fresh look at your school by an outsider can bring new analysis and identify solutions to the challenges that have been holding you back.

Possible cost savings

A daily or project rate might look high, but you pay only for the services you need and avoid the additional costs of an employee. Hiring a consultant can actually save money.

Fixed costs

You know the exact cost upfront. There are no overheads, and you can extend the contract depending on your needs and the results of the first term.

Neutrality

A good consultant is always unbiased and objective. That helps cut through the entrenched views and dynamics that full-time staff often build up over time. Because their work is time-bound, they stay focused on the agreed goal and plan, and keep it on track without internal distractions.

Before you hire anyone

There are many benefits to hiring a consultant. But before you do, remember these four things.

1. Solve the problems you can solve yourself.
2. Decide exactly what role you want the consultant to play.
3. Ask yourself what you want to be different once the job is done.
4. Look beyond the list of achievements and the polished website. Talk to the consultant and get to know them, so you are sure you can work together. And ask whether you can speak to someone they have worked with before.