Education Skills and Funding Audit 2021-2022

Tender description

Sheffield City Council is looking for a provider that is accredited to carry out an Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) audit in July 2022. Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) requires ‘Providers’ to obtain an annual report from an external auditor if their and Apprenticeship funding contracts with subcontractors exceed £100,000 in any one funding year. The ESFA deadline is 31 July 2022. We a looking for a company that can provide us with a report that includes the following: • Provide assurance on the arrangements to manage and control delivery subcontractors. • Comply with guidance issued by ESFA that relate to subcontracting. (ESFA Apprenticeship funding rules for employers-providers – August 2021 to July 2022). The auditor will be required to compare the Provider’s end-to-end subcontracting processes with the funding rules and provide a report. The report will address the specific elements of the Provider’s end-to-end subcontracting process as specified in the sections that cover contracting and subcontracting in the ESFA funding guidance for Apprenticeship Funding (see links below). The audit will need to cover the following areas: • Using Subcontractors • Delivery of apprenticeships training and on-programme assessment by delivery subcontractors • Contracting with delivery subcontractors • Special conditions for subcontracting to supporting providers • Special conditions for all instances where the employer is the delivery subcontractor • Disputes and issues resolution ESFA funding guidance that relates to this audit. Apprenticeship Funding rules: 2122_Employer-Provider_Rules_Version_2_To_publish.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) The audit will be conducted remotely however, there may be an opportunity to meet with colleagues face to face if required. You will also be required to confirm the method by which documentation will be transferred electronically and securely between the auditor and Sheffield City Council.