Collaborating for Success

Welcome

Setting the scene

Tim Ward

Learning Curve

Context

• No direct access to funding for learning & skills for smaller organisations

• Partnership/Consortium working encouraged

SFA on subcontracting

• Main contractor is responsible and accountable

• No formal standards to regulate relations

• Expect 85% of funding to be passed on

• Due diligence & monitoring

What we can offer

• Access to vulnerable/excluded• Holistic approach• Supportive/familiar/non-institutional• Learning Programmes• Voice/channel of communication• Support/expertise

Things for Third Sector to consider • What can you do? – Capabilities

• What does the main contractor need?

• Understand their concerns

• What have you done? – Track Record & Reputation

• How can you reassure?- Systems, processes, staff qualifications etc

Things for main contractor to consider

• How can the subcontractor extend/enhance your offer?– Eg: Are there unheard voices that third sector can reach?

• How can I be assured about quality, achievement and good administration?

• What support does the subcontractor partner need?• How can the relationship be developed to maximise

benefit to learners?

Good practice

• Transparent selection & funding process• Relationship of trust & cooperation• Written agreement, good communications, timely payments

• Using strengths of partners• Share good practice between partners• Share staff training & quality improvement

• Relationship strategic not contingent

Where we would like to be

Useful links• SFA (see latest publications page)

http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk• SFA Bravo website

https://skillsfundingagency.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml• YPLA

http://www.ypla.gov.uk• Learning & Skills Improvement Service

http://www.lsis.org.uk

Subcontracting toolkithttp://www.lsect.co.uk/toolkit.asp

• FE Weekhttp://www.feweek.co.uk

• TSNLAwww.tsnla.org.uk

• CLESPhttp://www.southwestforum.org.uk/clesp

• Learning Curvewww.learningcurve.org.uk

Next Steps

• Website

• Guides

• National AOC/TSNLA discussions

• How can we progress this in SW?