1. Due Diligence / Strategic Partners
Colin Powell - CEO, Southwark Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust
Mark Burnett - COO, Southwark Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust
SDBE - Developing Church of England Education

2. Due Diligence - An overview
When a school joins the Trust, there is a need to review their current processes and positions so that the Trust can understand any risks/liabilities.
We conduct a series of reviews including Finance, HR, Estates, H&S, Safeguarding and Education.
To achieve an impartial view of each school, the SDBE MAT has developed a bank of 'Strategic Partners' who complete this work on our behalf.
Many schools may like to have similar reviews but may not know who to approach.
SDBE -Developing Church of England Education

3. Our Strategic Partners - Available to all schools within the Diocese*
Due to the growing size of the Trust, we are able to negotiate preferential prices often saving up to 20-30% on standard prices.
The Trust is opening up access to our Strategic Partners used for due diligence to all schools within the Diocese.
Schools have found these audits a useful exercise to identify any gaps and improvements that could be made to their current practice.
*Access to some of our other Strategic Partners (those used by the Trust for non-due diligence activities) can only be accessed by Academies within the Trust. These include: Insurance, Energy, Banking, Websites etc.
SDBE -Developing Church of England Education

4. Our Strategic Partners - HR & Health & Safety
Area
Scope
Cost HR
Review all personnel files
Report on any gaps in each file, including missing/incomplete paperwork
Cross-check personnel file against SCR
Provide a detailed report with required actions.
£20
per employee
H&S
Review current practice
Complete a full H&S audit
Assess and advise on gaps in risk assessments
Assess and advise on management of Asbestos, Legionella etc.
Provide a detailed report with required actions
£600
SDBE -Developing Church of England Education

5. Our Strategic Partners - Finance & Estates
Area
Scope
Cost
Finance
Review payroll, purchasing and banking controls
Review and advise on development of 3Yr budget plan
Impact of the National Funding Formula
Identify and risks/liabilities
Provide a detailed report with required actions
£850
Estates
Full estates audit
Condition survey covering buildings, roofs, boilers, mechanical and electrical
A detailed and prioritized report with estimated costs for each recommendation
Avg
£600
Depends on school size.
SDBE - Developing Church of England Education

6. Our Strategic Partners - Education & Safeguarding
Area
Scope
Cost
Safeguarding
Full review of current practice
Review of policies, records, GB minutes, safer recruitment, SCR.
CoG/Safeguarding Governor/Headteacher /Designated Safeguarding Lead interview
Team lead by qualified Ofsted inspector
Currently
£700
*Ongoing negotiations.
SDBE - Developing Church of England Education

7. Our Strategic Partners - Why use them?
These audits give school leaders peace of mind that they are compliant with all current legislation.
Schools will be charged at the same rate as the Trust allowing them to take advantage of the preferential prices we have negotiated.
No mark-up is added to any of these services.
The costs of the HR, Estates and Health & Safety audits will be refunded to any school that converts to an Academy within a year of the review.
SDBE - Developing Church of England Education

8. SDBE -Developing Church of England Education
Find Out More
To find out more about any of these services, please contact:
Mark Burnett
COO, SDBE MAT
SDBE -Developing Church of England Education