Susan Solomons

Using subcontractor 80/20 rule?

Created

Good morning hive mind; Can anyone point me in the direction of guidance for using subcontractors - particularly how much (or little) we can utilise subcontractors for our Apprenticeship delivery.  I have it in my mind that subcontractors are not able to deliver more than 80% of the Apprenticeship if the main provider is claiming the funding. Thanks 

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Kelly Knights

Hi

ESFA/GLA have been clever to not reference a percentage, they say it must not be token delivery.

You must ensure you meet the following, the 80/20 is not something I've ever heard of and I feel 20% delivery from a prime could be classed as token delivery.

1)  as the main provider you hold and manages the relationship with the employer.

We have two delivery models in place with our subcontractors.

1)  we deliver the knowledge part of the apprenticeship and fS and the sub does the reviews and delivers the competency part

OR

2) the sub delivers to all learners for a specific Apprenticeship standard and we deliver to a number of apprentices in different Apprenticeship standards from that employer. During a recent audit the auditor was happy with the second model as long as we were delivering to least 50% of the overall numbers for each employer.

 

(Edited)

Susan Solomons

Thanks Kelly, that is really helpful.  We've got a strange one in that the sub does do not want to be involved in the Apprenticeship side of things at all, but will deliver the degree (Nurse Associate).  Because the degree maps into the Apprenticeship I'm trying to ascertain if our role in pastoral support, tripartite meetings, monthly 1:1's and prep for EPA is enough evidence.  Do you have any thoughts?

Kelly Knights

Hi Sue

 

As you're not doing any delivery I'd say reviews and pastoral care would be a no no.

 

The subcontractor is delivering part of the KSB of the standard therfore you'd have to deliver part of the KSB for each Apprentice or deliver to substantial number of apprentices from the same employer.

Although the funding rules say the ESFA dont expect auditors to look at this, I can give you 100% assurance they absolutely fully check this.

 

Best of luck,

Kelly

(Edited)

Susan Solomons

Thanks Kelly, it didn't sit right with me so I'm glad I've checked it out.