ESFA Update academies: 9 August 2023
Published 9 August 2023
Applies to England
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1. Information: subcontracting standard and subcontracting declaration deadline extension
This year we introduced the subcontracting standard, which sets out the framework for providers to subcontract provision and replaced the audit certificate that was previously required. The aim of introducing the standard was to improve the quality of management and oversight by lead providers of subcontracted provision.
Where a provider subcontracts £100k or more of apprenticeship, adult education budget (AEB), European Socia Fund (ESF) or 16 to 19 funding combined, the provider must engage the services of a reporting accountant to obtain a report which gives assurance on the provider’s compliance with the subcontracting standard. This report had to be submitted to the ESFA by 31 July 2023.
We’ve had a number of providers enquire about getting an extension to this deadline. As this is the first year, we have introduced the standard and providers are adjusting to this new requirement, we have decided to extend the deadline to 31 August .
If you have not already done so, please can you make sure you submit your report by this deadline. If you have any questions, please contact your ESFA territorial lead as a first point of call. Further details on the subcontracting standard can be found on GOV.UK.
We will aim to let providers know if they have achieved the standard by the end of November.
We would also like to remind providers to submit their updated subcontracting declarations as soon as possible, if they have not already done so (note schools and multi-academy trusts who do not subcontract are exempt from making a declaration).
Further information about subcontracting declarations can be found on GOV.UK.
2. Information: free meals in FE guide, update to the 2023 to 2024 academic year guide
We’ve updated our guidance on free meals in FE because the funding rate per meal has increased from the start of the 2023 to 2024 academic year.
We will now pay eligible institutions funding at a rate equivalent to £2.53 per student per meal, which represents an increase to the previous rate of £2.41 per student per meal.
Our guidance explains how we will deliver the increase in funding allocations. As always, it’s important that all institutions contact us to return their allocation if they do not have eligible students during 2023 to 2024 academic year.