What is in store for the institutions that have already registered and fall into the small to medium enterprises (SMEs) category?
Yes, there have been recent conversations around promoting systems enabling new quality providers to join the Office for Students (OfS) register, but funding to participate in sector initiatives always seems directed to larger providers.
Consequentially, outputs such as frameworks and charters are ineffective in an SME context. Unable to participate in the pilots for these frameworks, staff are forced to find their path to best practice alone, and they miss opportunities to collaborate on projects and share learning with peers.
Independent Higher Education (IHE) works to help members overcome the challenges of operationalising frameworks such as the University Mental Health Charter – partially funded with government money – that apply to only larger providers.
