How we develop policy at HEFCE

Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

24 February 2009

Alison JohnsHead of Leadership Governance and Management

Today I will talk about:

• Policy and how it’s developed

• Policies and their impact

• Examples of our consultation process

• Case study: Sustainable Development

What is policy?

The Modernising Government White Paper (1999) defines policy as:

‘…..the process by which governments translate their political vision into programmes and actions to deliver ‘outcomes’ – desired changes in the real world.’

Three Types of policy development:

• Direct from Government

• HEFCE is given a broad remit

• Policies which we developed from within

Policy Cycle

Idea/ Issue

Evidence

Strategic Vision

Evaluate

Review

Implement

Decision/ Governance ConsultStakeholders

Risks

Impacts

Options

Research/ Analysis/ Scoping

Communication

Outcomes

Sector Impact Assessment

Promoting equality and diversity Minimising the regulatory burden Promoting sustainable development

Also need to consider:• Risk Assessment• Value for money• Regional dimension?

How do we consult on our policy process?

• Consulting and involving

• Soft consultations

• Formal consultations

• Stakeholder groups

• Committees

There are a number of ways in which we consult and involve:

• Areas where we’ve done well:– ELQs, – Disability Equality Partnership – funding initiatives to support disabled learners

• Not as well:– Our internal bin policy

We have consulted on nine major policies throughout 2008 including:

Revisions to Financial Memorandum: consultation on changes to the funding agreement between HEFCE and institutionsOutcome: 2008/19 Model Financial Memorandum between HEFCE and institutions

Learning and teachingFuture support for teaching enhancement and widening participation: consultation on changes to the teaching funding method

Policy for addressing unsatisfactory quality in institutions

Widening participationA new 'University Challenge': consultation on proposals for new higher education centres

HEFCE’S Sustainable Development Policy

CASE STUDY:

What is sustainable development?Bruntland definition

“development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Guiding principles from UK Sustainable Development Strategy 2005, ‘Securing the Future’

• living within environmental limits

• ensuring a strong, healthy and just society

• achieving a sustainable economy

• promoting good governance

• using sound science responsibly

• Government asked us

• Higher Education’s contribution

– Role as educators

– Generation and transfer of

knowledge

– Leadership of, and influence on,

local, national and international

network

– Business strategy and operations

Why develop a sustainable development strategy?

• Development of consultation document

• Sustainable development steering group

• Discussions with other policy teams

• Soft consultation with stakeholders

• Grant letter requirements

• Research

• Report against 2005 strategy

Formal consultation

• Revised SD strategy and action plan - 2008

How did we develop our strategy?

Why consult?

Seek views of institutions, individuals and interested parties on:

• Vision and objectives

• Actions

– are they sufficient?

– which should take priority?

– other suggestions?

• Sector strategy for carbon management

Consultation process

• Published written consultation document – June 2008

• 3 consultation seminars – July 2008

– Presentations

– Film

– Break out groups

• Analysis of written responses and seminars- Autumn 2008

• Published revised strategy and action plan – February 2009

Film:

“Thinking Sustainably”

Outputs

• Funding (eg. Revolving Green Fund)

• Good Practice

• Research (Strategic Review 2007)

• Working with stakeholders (steering group)

• Film, website, publications