STUDENT AWARDS AGENCY FOR SCOTLAND. Corporate Plan

Transcription

1 STUDENT AWARDS AGENCY FOR SCOTLAND Corporate Plan

2 Introduction The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) was established as an executive Agency in April This 3-year Corporate Plan therefore covers its 20 th anniversary in 2014 as an Agency of the Scottish Government (SG). During that time much has changed in what and how SAAS delivers its services, but throughout its core function of providing learner funding for students, in particular those studying higher education, has remained constant. A full list of our functions can be found at Annex A. SAAS s primary purpose is to deliver of an effective, timely, accessible and transparent student support system in line with Scottish Ministers policy to maintain free access to higher education, ensuring that the opportunity to learn is based on ability to learn, not the ability to pay. The outputs of SAAS therefore contribute strongly to the Scottish Government s Purpose and Strategic Objectives. In , a record number of individuals applied for student support through SAAS having continued to grow, year-on-year, for the last 6-years. A significant operational change in was the positive response of students to the introduction of the Guarantee Date. This initiative provided the opportunity for students to apply by 30 June and be guaranteed that their initial application would be processed before their course start date. SAAS like the rest of the public sector is focused on implementing continuously improving public service while responding to the competing pressures of a severely tightening environment for public sector finances. SAAS will deliver support simplification of Post-16 education reform; supporting the development of a sustainable financial environment for higher education. The production of this updated corporate plan is part of SAAS s commitment to report to and engage with its stakeholders and customers. Comments on the plan can be sent to: Chief Executive SAAS 3 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9HH SAAS: Corporate Plan

3 Strategic Overview Supporting its core purpose 1 ; to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth, the Scottish Government has 5 Strategic Objectives; The Agency s main functions contribute to the Government s key objective of creating a Smarter Scotland To support the outcomes, and provide a framework to assess progress, the objectives are underpinned by the National Performance Framework (NPF). The delivery of the Purpose and National Outcomes is monitored through tracking progress on the Purpose Targets and National Indicators on the Scotland Performs website ( Of the Scottish Government s sixteen National Outcomes, SAAS directly contributes to the following: Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people s needs. Tackling the significant inequalities in Scottish life. We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production. SAAS also contributes to other National Outcomes where the lead role rests with our policy colleagues, schools, colleges and universities: We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation. Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. 1 The Government Economic Strategy - SAAS: Corporate Plan

4 Vision SAAS: Vision, Strategic Goal & Key Objectives The SAAS vision is of fair access to Higher Education, based on ability to learn. Strategic Goal The Vision will be realised by the Strategic Goal to provide an effective, timely, accessible and transparent student support system and, therefore, to ensure that access to the student finance system does not act as a barrier to individuals flourishing within higher education. Key Objectives Over the period of the Corporate Plan , the Strategic Goal will be delivered by focusing operational and change activity towards 4 Key SAAS Objectives; SAAS Objective 1 operating an accessible student support system, making progression to higher education an achievable aspiration. SAAS Objective 2 providing information through web presence, documents and visits to schools, colleges and universities to improve awareness of the distinctive Scottish approach to student support amongst those traditionally less likely to consider higher education. SAAS Objective 3 instilling a culture of continuous improvement in the management of student support, ensuring that customer access and ease of use are fully considered. SAAS Objective 4 consider the environmental impact of changes to our processes and in the management of our building. All operational and change activity undertaken within SAAS will be able to demonstrate that it advances on of these 4 key Objectives. SAAS: Corporate Plan

5 Operational and Change Activity SAAS Objective 1 operate an accessible student support system, making progression to higher education an achievable aspiration. Why will we do it? (The wider context. Why is this important to the Scottish Government? Expressed in national outcomes) SG National Outcome - We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation. What will we do? (What activities and/or specific projects will help deliver the SAAS objectives) When will we do it? (Over what financial years of the plan will we start/stop this activity) 1.1 Assess all applications submitted to the Agency (currently c160,000 per annum) and deliver our 30 June guarantee date - accurately assessing all fully completed applications received by the guarantee date before the start of the student s course. 2012/ / / Work with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to manage all ILA account applications (currently approximately 55,000 new applications per annum) and income reassessments. 1.3 Implement changes in the student support package for session including Post-16 reform simplification package. This package will include simplification of prior study rules, independent student criteria and RUK (Rest of UK) student fees. 1.4 Manage Part Time Fee Grant (PTFG) applications (c7,000 per annum) and work with Scottish Government policy colleagues on the implementation of revised part time fee support. (Prepare) (Manage & Prepare) (Implement Change) (Implement Change) SAAS: Corporate Plan

6 (Continued) SAAS Objective 1 operate an accessible student support system, making progression to higher education an achievable aspiration. Why will we do? (The wider context. Why is this important to the Scottish Government. Expressed in national outcomes) SG National Outcome - We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation. What will we do it? (What activities and/or specific projects will help deliver the SAAS objectives) 1.5 Work with Scottish Government policy colleagues on a review and possible implementation of Supplementary Grants. When will we do it? (Over what financial years of the plan will we start/stop this activity) 2012/ / / Work with Scottish Government and SDS colleagues on a review of the ILA system and ensure the infrastructure and processes remain effective and efficient. (Implement) SAAS: Corporate Plan

7 SAAS Objective 2 providing information through web presence, documents and visits to schools, colleges and universities to improve awareness of the distinctive Scottish approach to student support among those traditionally less likely to consider higher education. Why will we do it? (The wider context. Why is this important to the Scottish Government. Expressed in national outcomes) SG National Outcome - Tackling the significant inequalities in Scottish life. What will we do? (What activities and/or specific projects will help deliver the SAAS objectives) When will we do it? (Over what financial years of the plan will we start/stop this activity) 2012/ / / Deliver a Funding Awareness engagement programme that assist students and stakeholders understand - through web, literature, social media, videos, and events the student support packages 2.2 Review web and social media content to maximise the effectiveness of the information available in reaching its target audiences. (Continuously Improve) (Continuously Improve) SAAS: Corporate Plan

8 SAAS Objective 3 instilling a culture of continuous improvement in the management of student support, ensuring that customer access and ease of use are fully considered. Why will we do it? (The wider context. Why is this important to the Scottish Government. Expressed in national outcomes) SG National Outcome - Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people s needs. What will we do? (What activities and/or specific projects will help deliver the SAAS objectives) 3.1 Take responsibility for the payment of student loans from the Student Loans Company (SLC). 3.2 Use Scottish Government attendance management procedures to maximise staff attendance. 3.3 Publish an internal communications plan to help all staff get the information they need to understand the Agency s role and direction and the relevant contribution to the wider SG. When will we do it? (Over what financial years of the plan will we start/stop this activity) 2012/ / /15 (Prepare) (Implement) (Implement) (Prepare) (Implement Change) 3.4 Review the current system for identity checking and consider options to fully automate and enhance the current checking of applicant s identity. 3.5 Consider the potential benefits of moving to daily collection of attendance data from higher education institutions (HEIs) universities and colleges. 3.6 Consider the business case for moving to a single application per course for students entering a course lasting for 2 or more years. (Implement if appropriate) SAAS: Corporate Plan

9 (Continued) SAAS Objective 2 instilling a culture of continuous improvement in the management of student support, ensuring that customer access and ease of use are fully considered. Why will we do it? (The wider context. Why is this important to the Scottish Government. Expressed in national outcomes) SG National Outcome - Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people s needs.. What will we do? (What activities and/or specific projects will help deliver the SAAS objectives) 3.7 Review the current debt recovery system and consider the business case for upgrading and/or integration of the system. 3.8 Work with higher education institutions (HEIs) to consider the business case for moving to the collection of daily attendance data. When will we do it? (Over what financial years of the plan will we start/stop this activity) 2012/ / / Review the effectiveness of the annual Guarantee Date to ensure it has delivered the early application behaviour intended and has resulted in improved service delivery. (Review after 3.10 Review infrastructure and operating model to ensure we are providing effective front line services through our contact centre to meet the ever changing high demands of our customers needs. session ) (Continuously Improve) (Implement if appropriate) (Implement if appropriate) (Implement if appropriate) (Continuously Improve) 3.11 As part of the Scottish Government, meet our SG Corporate Expectations to continually improve, tackle fraud and report on steps to deliver annual operational efficiency savings of at least 3%. SAAS: Corporate Plan

10 SAAS Objective 4 consider the environmental impact of changes to our processes and in the management of our building. Why will we do it? (The wider context. Why is this important to the Scottish Government. Expressed in national outcomes) SG National Outcome - We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production. What will we do? (What activities and/or specific projects will help deliver the SAAS objectives) When will we do it? (Over what financial years of the plan will we start/stop this activity) 4.1 Manage a smooth transition from Gyleview House to Saughton House in early 2015 in time for the opening of the 2015/16 session. 2012/ / /15 (Plan) (Implement) (Relocate) 4.2 Review online services and infrastructure to improve the services available to applicants; including adding functionality to allow the uploading of supporting documentation in a secure manner. (Document uploading) (Wider review) (Implementation if appropriate) SAAS: Corporate Plan

11 Funding SAAS is funded directly by Scottish Government for its running costs and the support provided to students and institutions. Funds for Nursing support and NHS Bursaries are drawn directly from Scottish Government Health budgets and do not appear as part of the SAAS budget lines. Skills Development Scotland provides funding for the ILA programme, with funds transferring to SAAS as part of Scottish Government s Autumn & Spring Budget revisions. Our indicative funding 2 is detailed below: 2 Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget , Scottish Government, September 2011 SAAS: Corporate Plan

12 ANNEX A: SAAS Key Functions For those wishing to access higher education, we: Provide information on how student support can assist individuals access higher education, through the web and visits to schools and higher education institutions (HEIs) universities and colleges. Assess financial support for tuition fees and living costs, including specific arrangements for nursing, taught postgraduate study and NHS bursaries. Pay tuition fees to HEIs on behalf of eligible students. Pay bursaries direct to eligible students. Provide resources and data to the Student Loans Company to allow payment of student loans. Assess applications for additional assistance in the form of disability, lone parent and dependant support allowances. Provide funds to Scottish universities and colleges to further support students facing hardship or with childcare needs. Assess applications from individuals for the Part-time Fee Grant (for Higher Education) and pay institutions on the individuals behalf. We also: Assess applications from individuals for ILA200 and pay fees to learning providers, in partnership with Skills Development Scotland. Maintain a register of charities that offer educational endowments and assist students by searching the register on their behalf on request. Collect the Graduate Endowment fee (abolished with effect from 1 April 2008). SAAS: Corporate Plan