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I would have similar concerns over this and would inform the employer you can only communicate with them and not the consultancy firm due to GDPR issues that prohibits passing information to a third party.
I would also inform the ESFA so that they can give you official direction on this.
Kirsty Tallis
Managed Service Provider - outsourcing apprenticeship oversight
Created
Hi, hoping colleagues out there will be able to offer some views on a situation we've been presented with.
We have apprentices with a major UK employer who have chosen to outsource 'oversight' of their apprenticeships to a consultancy firm. Following discussions with the consultants they've advised that monthly/six weekly reporting of apprentice progress is to be via them and they will liaise with the employer. Similarly if, between this reporting period we have concerns, these are to be raised with them. Tripartite reviews will continue with the line manager.
I'd really welcome sector views on this as I'm very uncomfortable with it on a number of levels - contracts, GDPR, employer engagement, even just 'the spirit of apprenticeships' - and would really welcome whether this is a common/familiar/acceptable practice. Just for info the apprentices have been on a programme a while so this comes part way through their programme and all are undertaking level 6 apprenticeships.
Thanks.