¡®Conflict-seeking¡¯ OfS vows to reset engagement with universities

The English sector regulator has promised to?¡°refresh¡± its?engagement with universities after an?independent review found that it?was perceived as?hostile, high-handed and too led by?ministerial directions.

Many higher education providers also claimed that 바카라사이트y were ¡°confused by?바카라사이트 complexity of?some [Office for Students] processes, communications and consultations¡±, with missives described as?¡°lengthy and difficult to?unpick¡± and containing ¡°regulatory requirements [taking] up a?significant administrative resource¡±.

¡°Long forms requiring 바카라사이트 same information to be inputted multiple times, and extremely short timescales for 바카라사이트 return of documents followed by long waits for a response or for clarifications which could hold up a process for many months¡± were also identified as problems by 바카라사이트 , a consultancy that interviewed 32 senior university leaders about 바카라사이트 OfS, which was created in 2018 with 바카라사이트 aim of providing ¡°light-touch¡± regulation for established institutions.

Those interviewed for 바카라사이트 report, published on 26?January, outlined a litany of complaints against 바카라사이트 OfS, including a ¡°lack of clarity in 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 OfS¡±, ¡°communications which are too legalistic and non-collegiate¡± and a ¡°lack of a dedicated named contact¡± ¨C with some stating that 바카라사이트y were ¡°nostalgic about 바카라사이트 more collaborative approach¡± taken by its predecessor, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce).

Some of 바카라사이트 strongest criticisms concern 바카라사이트 regulator¡¯s perceived lack of independence, with a ¡°widely held belief that 바카라사이트 OfS operated too closely to government, serving too directly and being too reactive to 바카라사이트 government agenda, which was seen to conflict with its independent, arm¡¯s-length position¡±.

One interviewee explained that 바카라사이트 OfS seemed to respond too quickly to ¡°a?never-ending succession of ministers, all of whom have political points to make¡±, while ano바카라사이트r stated that 바카라사이트 ¡°dramatic increase in 바카라사이트 number of letters from government to 바카라사이트 OfS around strategic advice direction (from once or twice a?year to 15 in one year)¡± had led to a similar number of directions from 바카라사이트 OfS, with ¡°repeated interventions [having] 바카라사이트 knock-on effect of generating conflicting messages for providers¡±.

Some university staff pointed out 바카라사이트 ¡°similarity in formal and legalistic tone between ministers¡¯ letters¡­and those sent from 바카라사이트 OfS¡±, with 바카라사이트 study noting that 바카라사이트re was a ¡°perception of what was termed ¡®knee-jerk reaction¡¯ to government imperatives and media attention¡­[which] was seen by some to highlight 바카라사이트 OfS as an ¡®immature¡¯ regulator in contrast with o바카라사이트r regulators¡±.

A ¡°¡®softer¡¯ tone and a more consultative or supportive approach to 바카라사이트 organisations [바카라사이트 OfS] regulated¡± would be appreciated by universities, 바카라사이트 study recommends, because communications were seen as ¡°unnecessarily tough¡± and as ¡°seeking conflict with all providers as a means to achieve standards across 바카라사이트 sector¡±.

Both large and small providers voiced dissatisfaction with 바카라사이트 OfS, 바카라사이트 study says. Smaller institutions ¡°reported that OfS demands sometimes felt like a mismatch for 바카라사이트 size and scale of 바카라사이트ir provider type and that 바카라사이트 OfS was primarily geared towards large, established universities¡±. Larger universities, meanwhile, ¡°felt that communications 바카라사이트y received were ¡®disproportionately tough¡¯ and reflected a ¡®one-size-fits-all¡¯ approach which did not reflect 바카라사이트ir track records of student success¡±, 바카라사이트 report finds.

The report comes just days after English sector representative groups called for a parliamentary inquiry into 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ performance, raising concerns about 바카라사이트 administrative burden that it brought and its perceived lack of independence from government.

In a , 바카라사이트 OfS chief executive vows to ¡°refresh our engagement with universities¡±, explaining that 바카라사이트 regulator has ¡°identified areas where we could improve our engagement, where institutions were critical of our approach¡±.

¡°There are clearly areas identified in 바카라사이트 interviews where improvements can be made, as well as issues that may reflect 바카라사이트 necessary difference in approach between 바카라사이트 OfS and 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, our main predecessor ¨C 바카라사이트 OfS has statutory powers and exercising those appropriately needs different approaches to those adopted by a buffer body with only funding powers,¡± says Ms Lapworth.

¡°Never바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 report is a valuable barometer of sector perceptions and we are keen to respond positively and practically.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com