Contents
Welcome to the Winter 2022 edition of our Education newsletter
3 Welcome to the Winter 2022 edition of our Education newsletter
10 FE Colleges : updates to the new
subcontracting requirements
4 Client Risk Registers
12 Shaping
Welcome to our Education newsletter, aimed at FE colleges and higher education institutions, and intended to help them support their understanding of the challenges they currently face. Our theme for this issue is risk and assurance, and we have a number of articles to help explain some of the ‘why do you do that’ questions that we are asked. T he regulations relating to the One of the greatest, and fastest growing business-critical risks is from cyber risk. The threats from cyber-crime have increased in number and sophistication in recent years, and the issue needs to be on the radar of every educational organisation. We examine the current cybersecurity risks and suggest some strategies that FE colleges and universities can do to protect themselves. Our Education team works with a range of academies, colleges, trusts and universities to support their management teams and boards in identifying governance issues and risks and delivering targeted solutions and advice. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have a specific issue you’d like to discuss or would like to find out more about how we can help your organisation. education sector rarely remain still, and there have been some big changes announced in the past few months. Steven Burgess, Audit
Your Board for Success : how a board effectiveness review may help
6 Can it be choice and not chance ?
Director, looks at the Charities Act 2022 and the forthcoming Companies House Reform, to evaluate the impact these modifications will have, and to flag up some of the more significant points for educational institutions to note. Tim O’Connor, Audit Partner, has been working with educational bodies for many years, and has a wealth of experience in understanding how they operate, and the difficulties they face. He looks at the Office for Students’ latest attempt to drive the equality of opportunity in the higher education sector, and whether their utopian vision of ‘continuation, completion and employability’ may overlook the disparity of opportunity for young people within the state school system. A risk register is a key part of an organisation’s toolbox, and, fairly obviously, can be used to identify the most pressing risks. But it’s important to understand how their use can be maximised to deliver greater benefits. Paul Goddard, Risk & Assurance Partner, looks at some of the most common risks for educational organisations and the consequences for them which may affect their long-term reputation and recruitment prospects.
8 Cybersecurity – an ever-increasing risk
14 A new Charities Act and changes to the Companies Act
Independent board effectiveness reviews are increasingly being recognised as an effective means of evaluating a board’s performance and can quickly be incorporated into an organisation’s quality cycle. We look at some of the key metrics that an independent reviewer would look for, and the questions that might be raised as part of that process. Finally, as FE College managers and administrators will be aware, the Education and Skills Funding Agency requirements for subcontracting and the audit process surrounding this have been significantly updated for the 2022-23 academic year. Bethan Pritchard, Risk & Assurance Auditor, gives an insight into the changes, and looks at the new focus on accountability and reporting, which, she says, will mean much more detailed evidence may be needed, with a greater emphasis placed on a continuous formal review.
On behalf of myself and the team, can I send you my best wishes, and a happy and productive 2023.
Best wishes,
Paul Goddard
16 Meet the Team
Paul Goddard
2 | SCRUTTON BLAND | E D U C A T I O N
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