Anyone got a formula for an evidence base?
We have just had our first 'challenge' from an LEA.
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Rhun ap Harri
Swyddog Anabledd PA/UA Disability Officer.
Prifysgol Aberystwyth University.
Ystafell G7/Room G7 Cledwyn Building.
Campws Penglais Campus.
Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 3DD.
Ffôn: / Tel:01970 628537.
Ffacs: / Fax: 01970 621759.
www.aber.ac.uk/welfare-disability
-------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian F.
Sent: 30 August 2007 03:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: hourly rate for note-takers
The following information might be useful when setting note-taker rates (DSA
Guidance to LEAs March 07).
---
Administration charges for arranging non-medical helpers
Summary
135.. A DSA "is a grant to assist with the additional expenditure which
the Secretary of State is satisfied [an eligible student] is obliged to
incur by reason of a disability to which he is subject in respect of his
undertaking a designated course" (regulation 38 of the Education (Student
Support) Regulations 2006). The allowance is made up of different elements
including expenditure on a non-medical helper.
136.. DSAs cannot be used as a contribution towards the infrastructure,
general administration and pastoral costs of the HEI. DSAs must not be used
to cross-subsidise the infrastructure of HEIs' disability services.
137.. It is permissible for HEIs to recover administrative costs
associated with the provision of non-medical helpers funded through DSAs.
138.. Fixed percentages without an evidence base do not provide a sound
basis for the calculation of relevant admin. charges.
139.. The clear and consistent allocation of relevant costs provides the
most accurate guide to the true cost of delivering the service.
140.. HEIs need to think through their costs properly: LAs need to assure
themselves that they are not endorsing claims which are "over the odds".
Context
141.. The Department depends on HEIs to provide a range of well-managed
services that respond to the needs of students. In the context of DSAs, many
HEIs arrange and administer non-medical helper support; HEIs may incur extra
costs in providing this service. Such costs might include recruiting
potential non-medical helpers, advertising for helpers, selecting suitable
candidates, training unqualified non-medical helpers and maintaining records
of their personal and financial details. The Department accepts that it is
legitimate for HEIs to add the relevant element of these administration
costs into their charges for non-medical helper support. Furthermore the
Department accepts that such charges, as an integral part of the provision
of non-medical helper support, constitute a cost that a student requiring
non-medical helper support is obliged to incur and can therefore be met from
the student's DSA.
The DSAs
142.. HEI governing bodies are responsible for the proper stewardship and
value for money of public funds. The amount they claim for DSA
administration needs to be relevant and proportionate, and to have been
incurred by the HEI specifically in providing the DSA service.
143.. Fixed percentages without an evidence base do not provide a sound
basis for the calculation and award of relevant administration costs.
Finding the clearly calculated cost of activity is a more transparent and
sustainable means of funding than arbitrary fixed percentages.
144.. Costs should be based on actual delivery and not assessed delivery.
It is reasonable for LAs to ask for evidence that the support for which they
are invoiced by HEIs or other providers was delivered. (Fuller guidance on
whether charges incurred when a student fails to attend a pre-arranged
session with a non-medical helper can be met for the DSA was issued in
Student Finance Update in July 2006.)
145.. Administration charges and associated overheads should be claimed
only once: the same activity should not be claimed twice. A reasonable level
of actually-incurred marginal costs should be the maximum. HEIs should
clearly distinguish the types of services and their costs on invoices
submitted to LAs. LAs will need to assure themselves about the amounts
claimed by individual providers. They might, for example, ask providers to
submit details of how their administrative costs have been calculated with
the first claims each year.
146.. A fundamental review of costs should be undertaken periodically to
ensure that the service continues to provide value for money (for example,
that efficiency improvements are effectively managed, to avoid a "last year
plus x per cent" approach, and to assess whether the level of resources used
to provide the service remain appropriate in the light of changing demand
and other factors) and to avoid double-counting.
147.. LAs should satisfy themselves that claims for DSAs are made in
accordance with Departmental guidance and should challenge costs which do
not appear to them to be reasonable. The Department is considering
introducing spot check audits to see how LAs and HEIs are interpreting the
revised guidance.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Katie McCabe" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: hourly rate for note-takers
Hi,
Our rate for 07/08 is a charge of 20.51 to the LEA with the Notetaker
receiving 10.50 of this.
Best,
Katie
Access-SUMMIT
________________________________
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Caroline Rusack
Sent: 29 August 2007 15:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: hourly rate for note-takers
Would others in this forum mind feeding back to me, on or off list, the
going rate for note takers in their HEI please?
We are reviewing the hourly rate paid.
Many thanks,
Caroline
Thames Valley University
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