Subcontracting Information Source (SIS)

Teesside University considers collaborative provision to be an important component of its corporate strategy Teesside 2027 and our strategic aim:

'to be a global institution that provides an excellent international experience through partnerships and networks across the world.' TU Global.

In furtherance of this aim, the University engages in approved partnership delivery in order to:

• Expand access to higher education around the globe.
• Support regional skills priorities.
• Develop strategic international partnerships.
• Support enterprise and knowledge exchange.
• Provide opportunities for learners who may otherwise be unable to access higher education.

The University will only enter partnerships where there is strategic alignment with the University's mission, values and partnership strategy. Partnerships will not be approved solely for recruitment growth or financial reasons.

For Apprenticeship subcontracting the University has a published subcontracting rationale which sets out the University's rationale and principles on subcontracting for apprenticeship provision.

Ultimate accountability for subcontracted provision rests with the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors receives assurance via Academic Assurance Committee, Audit Committee, Academic Board and its main committees and the Professional Skills Board for Apprenticeship provision.

The University maintains governance arrangements appropriate to the nature of the subcontracted relationship. Collaborative provision and international partnerships are overseen through the University's established quality assurance and partnership governance structures, while apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements are overseen through the University's apprenticeship governance arrangements. Relevant information from these processes informs institutional oversight provided to Academic Assurance Committee, Academic Board, University Executive Team and the Board of Governors.

Partnership approvals, reviews and ongoing monitoring are undertaken through the governance framework applicable to the arrangement. Collaborative provision arrangements are managed through the University's Quality Framework. Apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements are managed through the University's apprenticeship governance and oversight arrangements. Both frameworks provide assurance to the University Executive Team, Academic Board and Board of Governors regarding academic quality, student outcomes, compliance and risk management.

In operating relevant subcontracting arrangements, we explicitly identify and mitigate risks to the interests of students and taxpayers that the Office for Students has highlighted as sector wide concerns, including misrepresentation of courses, unsuitable recruitment or admissions practices, inadequate student engagement and attendance, weak academic standards and risks to the integrity of public funding.

These risks are managed through a combination of front-end controls, ongoing monitoring and escalation mechanisms, including:

• institutional due diligence and course level approval prior to delivery.
• oversight of teaching, assessment and standards through Academic Link Tutors, External Examiners and Assessment Boards.
• structured monitoring of student engagement and attendance.
• review of student outcomes, complaints and academic misconduct.

Where risk indicators emerge, the University applies proportionate intervention through its governance structure set out above as required and appropriate.

All prospective delivery partners are subject to a formal approval process before any agreement is entered into.

The approval process adopted will depend upon the nature of the proposed arrangement. Collaborative provision partners are approved in accordance with the University's Quality Framework. Apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements are approved in accordance with the University's Apprenticeship Subcontracting Policy which links into the Quality Framework and procurement processes as required.

In all cases, the University undertakes proportionate assessment of strategic fit, organisational capability, legal and regulatory compliance, financial sustainability and risks to students and public funding prior to entering an arrangement.

Our approval processes are designed to be proportionate to the nature of the proposed arrangement and the associated level of risk.

The University must satisfy itself that a prospective partner:

• Has compatible aims and values.
• Has appropriate legal status.
• Is financially stable.
• Has suitable governance and management arrangements.
• Has appropriate learning resources.
• Has effective quality assurance mechanisms.
• Has the capability to support students studying higher education.

For Apprenticeship subcontracting, our Apprenticeship Subcontracting Policy advises that:

'subcontracting will only be used in exceptional circumstances where it demonstrably enhances the quality of provision or meets specialist needs that cannot be delivered directly.'

The specific reasons for subcontracting elements of delivery may include:

• Widening access, participation and progression for groups (including those with shared protected characteristics) that are hard to engage or geographically removed from the University
• Provision of access to expert staff, training facilities and resources that would otherwise not be available
• Bringing benefits regionally and nationally to apprentices and industry partners in terms of innovation and knowledge transfer
• Meeting the requirements of a successful bid or tender for higher and degree apprenticeship delivery in which the University is the lead provider
• Filling gaps in niche or expert provision or providing better access to facilities to enhance apprentice experience

Further information

Detailed information around our approval processes for collaborative partnership are set out in the Quality Framework Chapter E, Sections 1.2, 2 and 4 and for apprenticeship subcontracting our approach to apprenticeship subcontracting

Teesside University applies a risk-based due diligence approach to all subcontracting arrangements.

The nature and extent of due diligence will vary according to the type of arrangement, the level of risk involved and the responsibilities allocated to the subcontractor.

Further information regarding the University's due diligence arrangements can be found within:

• Chapter E of the Quality Framework (Collaborative Provision)
• Apprenticeship Subcontracting Policy

All approved arrangements are governed through formal written agreements.

The University uses a Contract for Collaborative Provision (CCP) for collaborative provision and a standard subcontracting agreement for apprenticeship subcontracting, which is kept up to date and defines:

• Roles and responsibilities.
• Quality assurance arrangements.
• Student protection measures.
• Audit and oversight arrangements.
• Financial arrangements.
• Termination procedures.
• Teach-out obligations.
• Reporting obligations on the Partner.

No students may be recruited and no delivery may commence until the contractual arrangements have been executed.

The University retains responsibility for ensuring appropriate admissions standards, compliance with University regulations, accurate information for applicants and students and student protection arrangements.

Students studying under subcontracted arrangements remain students of Teesside University and are entitled to the protections and support associated with University registration.

Quality assurance processes will vary according to the nature of the arrangement.

Where provision forms part of the University's collaborative provision portfolio, quality assurance, monitoring and review activities are undertaken in accordance with the Quality Framework.

Where apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements are used, appropriate oversight and monitoring arrangements are applied in accordance with the University's Apprenticeship Subcontracting Policy and in accordance with the DfE's Apprenticeship Subcontracting Standard.

In all cases, Teesside University retains ultimate responsibility for academic standards and the quality of awards and credits granted in its name.

The University publishes separate information describing its approach to apprenticeship subcontracting, including governance arrangements, due diligence requirements, management fees, quality assurance expectations and review arrangements.
Apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements

Where apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements fall within the scope of OfS Condition E10, they are included within the scope of this SIS and subject to the University's overarching governance and assurance arrangements.

The University expects appropriate support arrangements to be in place for students studying under subcontracted arrangements. The nature of those arrangements may vary according to the type of subcontracted relationship and responsibilities allocated under the relevant agreement but would typically include appropriate academic and pastoral support, wellbeing support, learning resources, student representation opportunities, safeguarding arrangements and access to other University support services where applicable.

Related policies:

• Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy
• Student Protection Plan
• Equality and Inclusion Policy

Students studying with subcontracted partners retain access to Student Regulations and procedures including:

• Student complaints
• Academic appeals
• Academic misconduct procedures
• Whistleblowing processes
• Freedom of Speech

The University retains oversight of complaints and appeals involving students studying under subcontracted arrangements.

Related policies:

• Quality Framework Chapter E
• Apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements
• Apprenticeships Subcontracting Policy
• Apprenticeships Subcontracting Rationale
• Student Complaints Policy and Procedure
• Academic Appeal Regulations
• Public Interest Disclosure Policy (“Whistleblowing”)
• Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech

• The Board of Governors is responsible for approving and periodically reviewing the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech
• Legal and Governance Services oversee the implementation, monitoring and review of the Code including complaints procedures
• Designated Authorising Officers are responsible for decisions relating to events, visiting speakers and, where appropriate, teaching and research activities that raise particular freedom of speech considerations
• Advice and guidance on freedom of speech and academic freedom matters is available from Legal and Governance Services.

This governance framework helps ensure that decisions affecting freedom of speech are made consistently, transparently and in accordance with the University's legal and regulatory obligations.

Monitoring arrangements differ depending on the nature of the subcontracted arrangement.

For collaborative provision, monitoring activities are undertaken in accordance with the Quality Framework and may include annual reporting, quality enhancement activity, student outcomes monitoring, due diligence reviews and institutional review processes.

Apprenticeship subcontracting arrangements are monitored in accordance with the University's Apprenticeship Subcontracting Policy and associated compliance and performance monitoring requirements (in particular, the DfE's Subcontracting Standard and any apprenticeship funding rules in place from time to time).

Further details are available in the relevant governing framework documents.

Teesside University maintains appropriate financial oversight of all subcontracted arrangements to ensure that they remain financially sustainable, provide value for money for students and taxpayers and support the delivery of high-quality education.

Prior to approval, prospective partners are subject to financial assessment and due diligence processes appropriate to the type of arrangement being proposed. Ongoing financial monitoring may also be undertaken throughout the lifetime of an arrangement to identify material financial risks or concerns.

The University's financial assessment and monitoring arrangements differ according to the nature of the subcontracting relationship. Further information can be found within:

• Chapter E of the Quality Framework (Collaborative Provision)
• Apprenticeship Subcontracting Policy
• Relevant contractual agreements and associated financial controls

The University ensures that financial arrangements are appropriately documented and that resources retained by the University are proportionate to the responsibilities undertaken in relation to academic oversight, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, student support and partnership management.

In accordance with the Office for Students' requirements, the University publishes information regarding:

• its strategic rationale for subcontracting,
• the proportion of tuition fee income retained by the University in respect of relevant subcontracting arrangements.

Fee retention information is published separately and reviewed periodically to ensure it remains accurate and up to date.

Fee Retention Information

Each subcontracting arrangement is unique and the agreed fee retention varies between arrangements and typically informed by a broad range of factors such as responsibilities of each party and the level of oversight and support required. The University uses the retained fee to discharge its responsibilities as the awarding and registered provider including the following activities:

• Academic governance and oversight.
• Course approval and periodic review.
• Quality assurance and enhancement.
• External examining and academic standards management.
• Student records and registry functions.
• Regulatory compliance and reporting.
• Access to University systems and services where applicable.
• Student protection arrangements.
• Partnership management and monitoring.
• Legal, governance and contractual oversight.

Fee retention arrangements are reviewed periodically to ensure they remain proportionate, represent value for money for students and taxpayers and appropriately reflect the responsibilities retained by the University.

In respect of the subcontracting of apprenticeship provision, funding is retained/paid by the University in accordance with the relevant apprenticeship funding rules in place.

Information relating to the financial performance of the University, including collaborative activity, is also available within the University's annual Governors' Report and Financial Statements.

Teesside University operates a risk-based approach to the management of subcontracted arrangements and seeks to ensure that risks to students, taxpayers, academic standards and the University's regulatory compliance are appropriately identified, assessed and managed.

The University maintains oversight of risks arising from subcontracted provision through its governance, quality assurance, partnership management and risk management arrangements.

Risks and concerns may be identified through a variety of mechanisms, including:

• Due diligence and approval processes.
• Ongoing partnership monitoring and review.
• Student outcome data and performance indicators.
• Student complaints, appeals and feedback.
• Quality assurance and enhancement activities.
• Financial monitoring and contractual oversight.
• Internal audit, external review and regulatory engagement.

Partners are required to notify the University of any material developments that may affect the operation of an approved arrangement or the interests of students. These may include:

• Changes in ownership, governance or legal status.
• Significant organisational restructuring.
• Financial distress or insolvency concerns.
• Regulatory investigations or sanctions.
• Material changes to delivery locations or facilities.
• Significant staffing changes affecting delivery.
• Matters that may adversely affect academic quality, standards or student outcomes.

Where a material risk or concern is identified, the University may take proportionate action, including:

• Requesting additional information or assurance.
• Requiring a corrective action plan.
• Undertaking enhanced monitoring.
• Restricting or suspending recruitment.
• Initiating contractual remedies.
• Implementing teach-out arrangements.
• Terminating an arrangement where appropriate.

The University will comply with any Office for Students requirements relating to reportable events and will notify the regulator where required under the University's regulatory obligations.

Teesside University recognises the importance of protecting the interests of students where a subcontracted arrangement is varied, suspended or brought to an end.

The University maintains arrangements to manage the orderly closure of subcontracted partnerships and to minimise disruption to students. The approach adopted will depend on the nature of the arrangement, the circumstances giving rise to its closure and the needs of affected students.

Where a subcontracted arrangement is discontinued, the University will seek, wherever reasonably practicable, to ensure that students are able to:

• continue and complete their studies,
• achieve the academic award for which they are registered,
• receive clear and timely information regarding any changes affecting their studies,
• continue to access appropriate academic and student support throughout any transition period.

The University retains oversight of teach-out and student protection arrangements and will work with delivery partners to implement plans that are proportionate to the circumstances and safeguard the student interest.

Arrangements relating to closure, suspension, teach-out and student protection are governed through the relevant University frameworks, policies and contractual agreements.