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Subcontracting Fees and Charges Policy

Subcontracting Fees and Charges Policy 2023-24

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is committed to working with high
quality subcontracted partner organisations who provide training which will support
national, regional and local economic development.

Partner organisation must be able to demonstrate the ability to deliver high quality
training and education and that they have a strong financial standing.

Scope

This policy applies to all subcontracted partner arrangements. It sets out how NSCG
will apply fees and charges to contracts with organisations subcontracted to deliver
training and education on NSCG’s behalf.

This document outlines NSCG’s subcontracting fees and charges policy for the
2023-24 academic year. This policy is published in line with Education & Skills
Funding Agency requirements stated in the Funding Rules 2023-24, Subcontracting
Funding Rules for ESFA funded post-16 funding 2023-24 and the Apprenticeship
Funding and Performance-management Rules for Training Providers.

Policy Statement

NSCG is committed to provide high quality education and training to meet both local
and national skills priorities. NSCG recognises that in order to provide such services
subcontracting and partnership working is essential. The main reasons for
subcontracting are:

  • enhance the opportunities available to young people and adults
  • fill gaps in niche or expert provision, or provide better access to training
    facilities
  • support better geographical access for learners
  • offer an entry point for disadvantaged groups

    Implementation

    NSCG will ensure that the subcontractor is subject to a rigorous Due Diligence
    process and:

    • delivers a high quality service;
    • will not further subcontract provision to other colleges or training
      organisations;
    • employs high calibre staff to deliver to learners and informs NSCG if these
      staff change;
    • complies with NSCG’s policies and procedures;
    • complies with the law e.g. Health and Safety, Data Protection, Equality and
      Diversity;
    • has been risk assessed
    • is aware of the clear lines of responsibility and understands the consequences of any breach of contract

    Subcontractors will participate in:

    • safeguarding learners (including Prevent responsibilities)
    • equality and diversity
    • regular unannounced quality assurance checks
    • short notice audit visits
    • observation of teaching and learning
    • performance meetings
    • learner satisfaction surveys

    Improving the Quality of Teaching and Learning

    In line with our quality improvement cycle, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
    will support, develop and share good practice through; quality reviews, compliance
    visits, compliance meetings, observations of teaching and learning, and learner and
    employer feedback.

    Management Fees

    NSCG will incur costs to manage the subcontracting process. These costs will be in
    proportion to the level of pre-contract assessment, performance management and
    risk management associated with the subcontracted activity. Also included in the
    costs are the quality assurance requirements outlined in the previous section. The
    quality assurance costs for subcontractors delivering out of area will be greater than
    those delivering locally owing to quality visits etc.

    Based on a risk banded scale the average management fees retained by NSCG will
    range from between 17.5% and 20%. The management fee will be agreed before the
    contract is confirmed with the subcontractor and will be subject to review and
    negotiation dependant on performance, risk and delivery model.

    The management fee will be split between the following activities and each
    subcontractor will be reviewed on an individual basis:
    Management of the subcontractor – 9.25% - 11.5%
    Quality assurance – 3.75% - 4%
    Other support activities – 4.5%

    Payment Terms and Conditions

    Payments will be made in proportion to the income generated, per learner, monthly
    in arrears in line with NSCG’s financial procedures.

    Full details of payment arrangements for each individual contract are included in
    each Subcontractors contract. These include the detailed schedule for evidence
    submission and monthly financials deadlines, with specific dates for each month. In
    Updated August 2023 review July 2024 the event of non-delivery the College will clawback any funding paid to the subcontractor.

    Responsibilities and Duties

    The Director of Finance & Corporate Services has responsibility for ensuring that the
    Subcontracting Fees and Charges Policy is reviewed annually. The Director of
    Finance & Corporate Services will ensure that Subcontracting procedures and other
    such documents comply with, and are implemented in line with Education & Skills
    Funding Agency requirements and best practice.

    All potential subcontractors will be made aware of the policy as part of the tendering
    process.

    Disclaimer

    NSCG 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.
    This policy is published on the NSCG website or may be obtained directly from the
    Clerk to the Corporation.

    Subcontracting Fees and Charges Policy 2023-24

    Subcontractors 2023-24

    Funding 2017-2018

    Funding 2018-2019

    Funding 2019-2020

    Funding 2020-2021

    Data Protection Policy

    The College’s reputation and future growth are dependent on the way the College manages and protects Personal Data. Protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Personal Data is a key responsibility of everyone within the College.

    As an organisation that collects, uses and stores Personal Data about its employees, suppliers, students, governors, parents and visitors, the College recognises that having controls around the collection, use, retention and destruction of Personal Data is important in order to comply with the College’s obligations under Data Protection Laws and in particular its obligations under Article 5 of GDPR.

    The College has implemented this Data Protection Policy to ensure all College Personnel are aware of what they must do to ensure the correct and lawful treatment of Personal Data. This will maintain confidence in the College and will provide for a successful working and learning environment for all.

    College Personnel will receive a copy of the Policy when they start and may receive periodic revisions of this Policy. The Policy does not form part of any member of the College Personnel’s contract of employment and the College reserves the right to change the Policy at any time. All members of College Personnel are obliged to comply with the Policy at all times.

    NSCG General Data Protection Policy

    Data Retention Policy

    Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group (the "College") must, in respect of its processing of personal data, comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679, and related legislation (together, "Data Protection Laws").

    The Retention Policy should be read in conjunction with the College’s Data Protection Policy, which sets out the College’s overall approach to data protection matters and sets out the rationale for why a Retention Policy is required for personal data.

    The College is under a legal obligation only to keep personal data for as long as the College needs it. Once the College no longer needs personal data, the College must securely delete it. The College recognises that the correct and lawful treatment of data will maintain confidence in the College and will provide for a successful working environment.

    The Policy applies to all College employees, consultants, contractors and temporary personnel hired to work on behalf of the College ("College Personnel"). All College Personnel with access to personal data must comply with the Retention Policy.

    College Personnel will receive a copy of the Policy when they start and may receive periodic revisions of this Policy. The Policy does not form part of any College Personnel’s contract of employment and the College reserves the right to change the Policy at any time. All College Personnel are obliged to comply with the Policy at all times.

    NSCG Data Retention Policy

    CCTV Policy

    The CCTV Policy aims to ensure that the scope, purpose and use of the CCTV systems installed and operated by Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group College are clearly defined.

    CCTV Policy

    HR Privacy Notice (Candidates)

    Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group is a “data controller”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about our candidates. Candidates are sent a copy of this privacy notice when they are applying for work with us (whether as an employee, worker or contractor). It makes candidates aware of how and why their personal data will be used, namely for the purposes of the recruitment exercise, and how long it will usually be retained for. It provides candidates with certain information that must be provided under the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) (GDPR).

    Privacy Notice - Candidates

    HR Privacy Notice (Staff)

    Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group is a “data controller”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about our employees. Employees are sent a copy of this privacy notice when they start working with us. It makes employees aware of how and why their personal data will be used and how long it will usually be retained for. It provides employees with certain information that must be provided under the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) (GDPR).

    NSCG Staff Privacy Notice May 2018 V2 Website

    Safeguarding Procedure

    All staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) are made aware of this document at induction alongside our Staff Code of Conduct. In addition, all staff are provided with Part One of the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education DfE (2022)

    NSCG Safeguarding Procedure

    Whistleblowing Policy

    Improving the way in which people and organisations safeguard and promote the welfare of children is crucial to improving outcomes for children and young people and key local organisations named under section 11 of the Children Act 2004, have a duty to demonstrate that they have effective arrangements in place within their organisation to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. College corporations have a similar duty under section 175 of the 2002 Education Act, and Independent Schools, Academies and the Further Education Sector under Section 157 of the same Act. These key bodies have to demonstrate that they have an effective whistleblowing process in place and that their workforce is aware of this process.

    NSCG Whistleblowing Policy

    Positive Student Behaviour Policy

    This policy applies to all students who study at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG). This policy acknowledges that preparation for employment, or higher education leading to employment, is the principle objective of our activities. Promoting positive, employment appropriate behaviours is part of our core business.

    The purpose of this policy and associated Student Code of Conduct procedure is to promote positive employment focused behaviours across the student body.

    All members of the College community are to show respect for others and act in a polite and respectful way at all times. All students should be aware that the College adopt the Fundamental British Values as the College Core Values and should expect to be challenged if these values are not upheld.

    NSCG Positive Student Behaviour Policy

    Fee Policy

    The below document sets out NSCG's Fee Policy for the 2023/24 Academic year.

    NSCG Fee Policy 2024