We work in partnership with a diverse range of public, private and third sector organisations, to transform our customers lives and the communities we serve. This includes working for national commissioners (ESFA, The National Lottery Community Fund, MoJ and DWP) and local authorities to deliver high quality learning and skills, employment and targeted interventions.
We regularly seek new partners to help us deliver particular services and to build upon the skills, experience and local knowledge to continuously improve our customers’ experience and achievements. Becoming an Ixion partner means being part of a dynamic and innovative team sharing common values, access to funding & development opportunities and championing sustainability, equality and social responsibilities.
Our rationale for Subcontracting
1.1. As an Ofsted Grade One ‘Good’ provider Ixion Holdings (Contracts) Ltd is committed to the high-quality, innovative, relevant and responsive delivery of a range of courses and programmes that meet the needs of employers and individuals in line with funding organisations priorities and identified skills gaps.
1.2. Ixion recognises the benefits that effective subcontracting can bring in extending the range and accessibility of quality provision for learners and employers. Ixion will only subcontract where it is established that the provision is of high quality and low risk and additionally for Apprenticeships, where Ixion can deliver a substantial element of the employers’ requirements in line with the ESFA funding rules.
1.3. Ixion has taken the strategic decision to retain its option to subcontract part of its provision to partner organisations to meet the local, regional and national priorities and enhance the quality of the learner and employer offer by:
1.3.1. Enhancing the opportunities available to learners by expanding its breadth of provision with new courses, programmes or delivery models which Ixion is currently not best placed or equipped to deliver.
1.3.2. Targeting specific hard to reach communities, and individuals with shared protected characteristics including offering an entry point to training for those in disadvantaged and/or priority groups.
1.3.3. Filling gaps in niche or specialist provision offered by partners.
1.3.4. Supporting better geographical access by delivering provision at times and venues convenient to learners and employers, or provide better access to training venues.
1.3.5. Responding to requests made by employers with a holistic ‘one stop’ approach to their identified training needs.
1.4. Ixion will not subcontract to meet short-term funding objectives.
1.5. In line with the outcomes of the ESFA ‘Reform to subcontracting education for learners over 16’ consultation published 30 June 2020, Ixion will continue to strategically review all of its existing subcontracting activity and take steps to further reduce this across the next year to 2022/23 in preparation for the application of the 25% cap on the volume of subcontracting in any given funding ESFA stream
Our approach to supply chain management accords to the Merlin Standard ensuring that we encourage excellence and fair treatment to support the development of healthy, high performing supply chains which we demonstrate through open, honest and transparent engagement encouraging innovation and collaboration.
For further details on how we work with partners, please see the Ixion Supply Chain Management Framework.
When looking for delivery partners to deliver new services, as part of the Shaw Trust group we will first seek expressions of interest to evaluate organisations experience and track record of delivering innovative services to the individuals and communities we work with. Organisations can apply by completing the standard expression of interest form.
Once registered the organisation can complete a stage two opportunity specific form to compete for any new tender opportunities that arise. Organisations will be invited to complete the stage two form based on their location, sector and specialism(s). Where appropriate, submissions will be scored to select the best organisations to partner with.
For current partnership opportunities with Ixion and across Shaw Trust please see the Shaw Trust partnerships website page.Â
In order to meet the cross-cutting theme requirements of ESF for Sustainable Development and Equality please view a list of our current Subcontractors on ESF Co-Financed Programmes.
The core management fee applied is 20% of all funding drawn down against the provision to be delivered. This figure represents the total cost that Ixion incurs in effectively identifying, selecting and managing all subcontracted provision. This includes the expected amount of auditing, monitoring contractual performance and compliance, and will ensure quality assurance criteria are met in line with the individual subcontractor’s agreement.  Levels of funding to be retained will be clearly documented and agreed by all parties.
However, dependant on the nature of the programme, the level of Ixion support required by the subcontractor, or the level of funding available for the activity, the management fee may be altered at the discretion of Ixion. Specific fees charged for other activities will be subject to negotiation between Ixion and the Subcontractor at the time of contracting.
Management fees will be deducted at source at the agreed rate.
The support that our supply chain partners can expect to receive as part of the management fee are:
Differences in management fees charged to supply chain will be dependent upon the level of support required, the experience of the subcontractor, their target learners, their track record, success rates and the level of risk as determined by the due diligence process.
If contract performance management results in additional intervention to mitigate any risk, Ixion may agree the cost of that intervention with the subcontractor and this cost will be taken as a fee above the standard management fee.
For additional services required over and above the management fee support above, Ixion may charge a service fee for additional services provided.
Through our continued investment in innovation and technology, Ixion may decide to reduce its management fee for those subcontractors who use our systems and as the business increases its efficiency and cuts its costs. Ixion will keep all subcontractors informed of improvements and efficiencies through innovation at each of its network meetings and through regular communications through In-tend.
Payments are made to all supply chain partners on a 30-day basis from the date of invoice, or as agreed in writing, providing accurate completion and receipt of all relevant claim evidence and documentation and subject to the terms and conditions of the subcontract.
Please complete the form below and one of our team will get in touch with you to discuss further.
Alternatively please contact us at info@ixionholdings.com