September 2016 saw the creation of a new advocacy body for almost half of all schools in Northern Ireland, the Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC). It is the first time, in over thirty years, that the sector has a representative voice. Council works on behalf of schools and the wider controlled education sector to enhance the quality of education provision. CSSC focuses on: Advocacy - on behalf of the individual controlled schools and the sector as a whole Ethos - developing and maintaining the collective ethos of the sectors Governance - identifying, encouraging and nominating Governors to controlled schools and ensuring ethos is part of employment considerations Raising standards - working with Education Authority to raise educational standards Schools’ estate - assessing controlled provision, participating in area planning and engaging in strategic planning processes. The Council works in partnership with the Education Authority The Council works in partnership with the Department of Education, and other sectoral bodies and, of course schools.