ESFA weekly round-up – Issue 374

Education & Skills Funding Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information to ESFA-funded colleges, other training organisations and direct grant employers. (4 Oct 2017)

ILR R02 data collection for 2017 to 2018

The ILR R02 data collection for the 2017 to 2018 funding year will close at 6pm on Thursday, 5 October.

It is very important that your R02 validated ILR data submission is complete and accurate. As always, we recommend that you submit your data as early as possible. If you experience any difficulties with your submission please contact the Service Desk.

2016 to 2017 ILR R14 period: closes 19 October

The 2016 to 2017 ILR R14 period closes at 6pm on Thursday, 19 October; this is the final hard close for the 2016 to 2017 funding year.

This is a mandatory return for all providers. As always, ESFA recommend that you submit your data as early as possible and that you review your validation and funding reports that are made available to you on the hub.

All apprenticeship data match errors for delivery between May and July 2017 must also be resolved in either the ILR or the apprenticeships service by this date.

If you are having any difficulties in making this return and would like assistance please contact the Service Desk.

Funding reports guidance

ESFA have published guidance on the 2017 to 2018 ILR funding reports generated when providers submit an individualised learner record file. This document combines both sets of previous report guidance for young people and adult programmes and covers:

• 16 to 19 (excluding apprenticeships)
• adult education budget
• all apprenticeships
• European Social Fund
• standards recorded under the trailblazer pilot
• Advanced Learner Loans bursary

For further information, please contact the Service Desk.

Earnings adjustment statement 2017 to 2018: guidance published

ESFA have published guidance on the earnings adjustment statement (EAS) 2017 to 2018. This sets out how to use the EAS for the funding year 2017 to 2018 for the adult education budget, apprenticeships and the advanced learner loans bursary.

The EAS is an online form available on the Hub. Please complete this if you wish to claim funding not recorded on the individualised learner record, including excess learning support and learner support.

For further information or related queries, please contact the Service Desk.

Provider data self-assessment toolkit

The Provider Data Self-assessment Toolkit (PDSAT) is available to colleges and training organisations to assist with their routine Individualised Learner Record data-checking procedures for data returns in 2017 to 2018.

ESFA have released the new PDSAT for the 2017 to 2018 funding year on the PDSAT section of GOV.UK.

ESFA have also integrated existing functionality for the 2016 to 2017 funding year into PDSAT.

For further information, please email ESFA.

Student Loans Company learning provider seminars

Registration is now open for the learning provider training events taking place in October/November 2017. These training events give an opportunity for providers to receive training on the learning provider portal with a specific focus on the administration of loans and the portal functionality.

You can find more information and registration details on the Student Loans Company website.

New CPD self-assessment tool launched for potential end-point assessors for apprenticeship standards

As part of the Future Apprenticeships programme strand focusing on end-point assessment, the ETF have developed a new free online tool. This will support potential end-point assessors to:

• self-assess against the skills, knowledge and experience needed by an end-point assessor
• identify your immediate and long-term CPD needs
• access support and resources to start your CPD journey

The ETF also have 3 large-scale events taking place in October, December and January for potential end-point assessors. The events will help you understand what makes a good end-point assessor and features workshop sessions on particular end-point assessment methods and practices.