Partner Information

It is responsible for:

• Providing a range of part-time accredited and non-accredited learning opportunities to meet the needs of individuals, employers and local communities. Provision is concentrated at entry level, level one and level two, although some level three and above courses have been introduced to enhance progression and in response to learner, community and employer’s needs.
• In conjunction with primary schools, children’s centres and wider community venues, delivering a range of Family Literacy, Family Numeracy, and Family Learning provision.
• Providing indirect support for schools through the training of both Learning Support Assistants and Teaching Assistants as well as Support Work in Schools provision.

Scope

This policy statement details how Havering Adult College will apply fees and charges to contracts with organisations subcontracted to deliver training on the College’s behalf.

This document outlines Havering Adult College’s subcontracting fees and charges policy for the 2023-2024 academic year.  This policy is published in line with Greater London Authority and Education and Skills Agency requirements as stated in the Funding Rules 2023-2024.

Disclaimer

Havering Adult College reserves the right to amend its subcontracting arrangements at any time in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in its standard contract for subcontracted provision.

Policy Statement

Havering Adult College is committed to provide high quality education and training to meet local, regional and national skills priorities.  The College recognises that in order to provide such services subcontracting and partnership working is an essential strategic decision.  The main reasons for subcontracting are:

• To build capacity to deliver training in skills priority areas
• To offer niche provision through specialist providers
• To minimise the risk in the development of new markets
• To provide cost effective, good quality provision that meets demand

Statement of Principles

Havering Adult College has been graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted in its most recent published inspection. The College applies the Education Inspection Framework to all aspects of its provision.  Havering Adult College will support subcontract partners in developing their quality assurance procedures in line with the requirements of the Education Inspection Framework and strive to promote continuous improvement and high learner success rates.

Responsibilities and Duties

The overall Manager of the College, or a delegated Curriculum Development Manager has responsibility for ensuring that the Subcontracting Fees and Charges Policy is reviewed and complies with the College’s vision, aims and objectives. The responsible Manager also has responsibility for ensuring that subcontracting procedures and other such documents comply with and are implemented in line with Greater London Authority and Education and Skills Funding Agency requirements and best practice.

Subcontractors have a responsibility for developing and agreeing actions to ensure the implementation of the Subcontracting Fees and Charges Policy and related procedures.

Similarly, any actions arising as a result of quality activity (e.g. observations, IQA/EQA activity etc) are to be monitored routinely.  This could be through contract monitoring meetings, follow-up observations or other activity as best suits requirements.

Havering Adult College commissions providers to deliver adult education on its behalf, funded from its Education and Skills Funding Agency Adult Skills grant and Greater London Authority AEB Grant through a formal sub-contractor arrangement.

In response to learner needs, Havering Adult College is continually reviewing its existing sub-contracted provider base; enabling Havering Adult College to meet local community needs by ensuring funding is made available to community groups and providers.

In order to access funding, all interested providers need to pass the Local Authority Dynamic Purchasing System Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) process. Success at the PQQ stage will add providers to this Approved Provider List for a period of three years, subject to the provider meeting contract monitoring requirements.

The PQQ sets out the information which is required by Havering Adult College in order to assess the suitability of potential providers in terms of their technical knowledge and experience, capability/capacity, organisational and financial standing to meet the requirement. During the PQQ stage, the intention is to arrive at a short list of qualified potential providers for formal Invitation to Tender against the requirement of Education and Skills Funded Agency provision.

To obtain a copy of the PQQ, or for any questions regarding the PQQ process, please contact: Bradley.Burton@havering.gov.uk

A range of support is available through the Havering Adult College Quality Assurance and Improvement Infrastructure, this includes:

• A programme of teaching and learning observations
• Support through Internal Verification processes
• Access to a range of professional staff development
• Self-Assessment
• Learner feedback

Any subcontracted provision will be subject to a regular and substantial programme of quality-assurance including checks on the education and training provided by delivery subcontractors, visits at short notice and face-to-face interviews with staff and learners.

Our quality assurance processes will include whether the learners exist and are eligible and involve direct observation of initial guidance, assessment, and delivery of learning programmes.

Havering Adult College shall apply a management charge proportionate to the details of the individual agreements between Havering Adult College and the provider, based on the level of support required. The management charge will be applied to the gross value of the agreed maximum contract value based on the published GLA/ ESFA rates at the time of enrolment.

A minimum management charge of 18% will be applied to all providers to take into account support required regarding:

• Quality assurance (9% of the contract value)
• Monitoring and management (6% of contract value)
• Continuous professional development (2% of contract value)
• Safeguarding (1% of contract value)

The Service Provider will register with Matrix MM https://www.matrix-mm.net/. As per terms and conditions, Matrix MM shall levy 2.25% of the funding stream from the Service Provider after the initial 18% management charge has been deducted by Havering Adult College. Therefore, the overall management fee will be 19.8044%.

A minimum management charge of 5% will be applied to sub-contracted Community Learning contract values.

A formal contract will be agreed between Havering Adult College and the provider, this contract will include amongst other areas, information on appointment and contract duration, data protection, health & safety, equal opportunities, invoices and payments and complaints. Separate schedules will cover the description of the services to be provided, conditions of funding and quality assurance.  Payments will be according to the attached iSupplier terms and conditions.  All valid invoices issued by the provider will be paid within 30 days of the date of issue.

Add link to Fee and Subcontractor Information 2023-24

Partners must apply HACs fee policy where courses are delivered on behalf of Havering Adult College.

Subcontracted partners are under no obligation to adhere or follow HACs discount policy for other aspects of their provision.

Partners are prohibited in charging learner fees where harder to reach learners (who are eligible for full funding) are entitled to free courses as stated within ESFA guidelines.  However, where learners are eligible for co-funding the partner is at liberty to charge the appropriate fee in line with their own policy providing such fees do not contravene HACs fee policy, ESFA guidelines and nor do they create a financial barrier to participation given the partnership is in place to reach those who would benefit the most.

Partners are barred from charging fees to learners who are enrolled onto courses where it is anticipated that the nature of the course is to allow access and reach disadvantaged communities and individuals, to enable them to participate in learning and to progress towards further learning and/or sustainable employment.

The policy will be reviewed annually and/or when significant changes in the Funding Rules and/or in subcontracting arrangements occur.  Potential subcontractors will be directed to the policy as a starting point in any relationship.  The policy will be discussed with all current and future subcontractors during contract negotiation meetings.

This information can also be found on our website on the following link https://haveringadultcollege.co.uk/partner-information/#1510669942420-ac62f121-0716

Add link to Fee and Subcontractor Information 2023-24

Specialist Trade Courses Limited UKPRN 10032147

Contract Start Date: 01/08/2023

Contract End Date: 31/07/2024

GLA AEB Funding Received by HAC for GLA AEB delivery by Specialist Trade Courses Ltd £155,000

GLA AEB Funding Paid to Specialist Trade Courses Ltd for GLA AEB delivery £124,303.18

GLA AEB Funding Retained by HAC in relation to Specialist Trade Courses Ltd for GLA AEB delivery £30,696.82

ESFA AEB Funding Received by HAC for ESFA AEB delivery by Specialist Trade Courses Ltd £55,000

ESFA AEB Funding Paid to Specialist Trade Courses Ltd for ESFA AEB delivery £44,107.58

ESFA AEB Funding Retained by HAC in relation to Specialist Trade Courses Ltd for ESFA AEB delivery £10,892.42