fragmented landscape of outreach provision at a local level points to a role for an impartial , trusted broker to help facilitate better coordination and alignment of provision ; the impartial nature of outreach hubs was considered key to their sustainability .
Recommendations
For the Office for Students
1 . Consider developing guidance for partnerships on which databases and eligibility / threshold criteria to use in order to identify learners / schools / colleges for outreach hub activities . This should not be as specific as for targeted outreach , which was very focused on one cohort of learners , but would help bring some alignment and consistency to the approaches being taken to this and would further contribute to a more ‘ coherent ’ narrative about the purpose , aims and objectives of the hubs .
2 . Provide greater clarity and direction on what constitutes match funding and how best to monitor and report on this , particularly for in-kind investments .
3 . The key role of outreach hubs as an impartial trusted broker of outreach activities should be highlighted in communications at a national and regional level to help raise awareness of the added value they bring , and support schools / colleges navigate the existing landscape of provision .
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