In September 2024, the Office for Students published an Insight Briefing into the risk of subcontracting or franchising teaching to external organisations in England and the potential negative impact on students, the taxpayer and the organisation’s own reputation.
The insight recognises that there has been a significant growth in subcontracted provision, with the number of students taught in subcontracted partnerships doubling to over 138,000 in the period 2019/20 to 2022/23 and accounting for over 5% of the students in the sector.
The insight provides a checklist to assist in the governance and oversight of subcontracted provision with questions around the following:
- Skills and capabilities of senior management
- Due diligence and contractual arrangements
- Student recruitment and course delivery
- Oversight arrangements – quality, performance and complaints.
- Data quality
The briefing reiterates that the OfS regulatory framework applies to all students of universities and colleges registered with them and this extends to franchise/subcontracted provision. The lead provider in such arrangements (and the delivery partner if also registered) is responsible for ensuring conditions of registration are met.
It is recommended that Audit Committees consider what arrangements are in place to provide assurance that the questions highlighted in the insight briefing are being addressed.
Link – Subcontractual arrangements in higher education – Office for Students
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