Part 2: Functions of the Office for Students Section 8: Complaints scheme Section 69C and Schedule 6A: Free speech complaints scheme
Section 8 inserts section 69C and Schedule 6A into the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, which make provision for the OfS complaints scheme relating to the duties of registered higher education providers, their constituent institutions and students’ unions in respect of freedom of speech and academic freedom.
	Paragraphs 1 to 4 of Schedule 6A set out the nature of the complaints that can be brought to the complaints scheme that the OfS must provide for, as well as the individuals who are eligible to make complaints. Paragraph 5 sets out the scope of the scheme. Paragraphs 6 to 8 set out provision regarding the decisions and recommendations that the OfS may make under the complaints scheme, including that the scheme must provide that, where the OfS considers a complaint to be justified (wholly or partly), it may recommend that the higher education provider, constituent institution or students’ union should do anything specified (which may include the payment of compensation but could also include, for example, reinstatement of the complainant’s job or place on a course) or refrain from doing anything specified. Paragraphs 9 to 13 set out various other requirements relating to the complaints scheme.