Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to prevent private providers operating as bogus colleges.

Further education (FE) providers receiving public funds are monitored by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and placed on a register for funded organisations. Ofsted only provide inspections for established FE institutions. Individuals wishing to cross-reference a course or provider that is nationally recognised can visit the National Careers Service website: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/course-directory/home.

The ESFA will investigate complaints of bogus educational institutions. Those concerned about a particular organisation can also register their complaint with the Citizens Advice and Trading Standards.