Recommendation 23

We asked the OfS how it made sure that providers had the relevant preparations in place to access support in the event that their financial sustainability was under threat, since some risks could materialise quite quickly. It described a process of escalating requirements, starting with discussions with the provider when the OfS first had concerns, rather than something that is suddenly triggered. It explained that, as the situation got more serious, the OfS’s expectations would increase and it would ask the provider to put plans in place if they were not already there. The OfS told us that, at the point where the OfS issued a direction, the provider would “just have to do it”.43 40 Qq 50–51; C&AG’s Report, para 4.2 41 Q 82; C&AG’s Report, paras 4.3–4.4 42 Q 65; Office for Students Regulatory notice 6: Condition C4: Student protection directions; C&AG’s Report, para 4.5 43 Qq 66–67 Financial sustainability of the higher education sector in England 15 Student satisfaction