DfE Update local authorities: 10 June 2026
Published 10 June 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-10-june-2026/dfe-update-local-authorities-10-june-2026
1. Information: Experts at Hand and Local Authority Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Transformation Fund
We have now published local authority final allocations for the 2026 to 2027 payment of the Experts at Hand and Local Authority Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Transformation Fund.
We will pay allocations at the end of June 2026 for local authorities.
2. Information: Inclusive mainstream fund for schools for 2026 to 2027
We have published the inclusive mainstream grant allocations for schools for financial year 2026 to 2027.
We will pay the grant at the end of June to local authorities and early July to academies.
3. Information: Rates and calculation for the inclusive mainstream fund for 16 to 19 providers
Read our inclusive mainstream fund for 16 to 19 providers: methodology 2026 to 2027 for confirmation on the:
- rates for financial year 2026 to 2027
- calculation process for allocations
We have also published the inclusive mainstream fund allocations for 16 to 19 providers. We expect to pay the grant in one payment in July 2026.
4. Information: Adult skills fund – funding rules, funding rates, and formula guidance for the 2026 to 2027 financial year
We have published the following adult skills fund (ASF) 2026 to 2027 financial year documents:
These apply to all education and training providers who receive Department for Work and Pensions funding ASF funding from DfE.
There are no substantial changes from the previous year. You can see a full breakdown of the changes in the ‘What’s new’ sections of both guides.
If you have any questions after reading our guides, you can contact us through the customer help centre.
5. Information: High needs benchmarking now available on the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool
Local authorities can now benchmark high needs spend and SEND data using new features on the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.
The tool enables comparison with similar local authorities to support spending decisions and improve outcomes.
We will be hosting an introductory webinar on Thursday 18 June 2026 at 3:30pm.
The session will include a walkthrough and a chance to ask questions and suggest improvements. For more information and link to sign up, visit our ‘Events and Webinars’ section below.
User feedback is essential to help improve the service and ensure it meets local authority needs. You can share your feedback by emailing Benchmarking.SUPPORT@education.gov.uk.
6. Information: Apply for early education partnerships funding
Early years providers and schools can now apply for funding to form an early education partnership. These partnerships will strengthen relationships between early years settings and schools, helping children transition to reception, feeling confident, prepared, and supported, with schools ready to meet each child’s needs.
Nurseries, childminders, other early years providers and schools are encouraged to connect with each other in their local area and apply for the development grant, which will help partnerships establish themselves and develop their plans.
Applications will close on Friday 17 July 2026.
We will be running information webinars which will take place on Tuesday 16, Thursday 18, and Tuesday 23 June 2026.
You can find out more about early education partnerships and how to apply.You can also register for our webinars by visiting our ‘Events and Webinars’ section below. by visiting our ‘Events and Webinars’ section below.
7. Information: Education records now available for year 11 pupils
Please forward this information to your maintained schools and academies.
Year 11 pupils in England can now obtain, view, and share their digital education record if their school has chosen to take part. We create each record using information from schools and exam bodies, including:
- a pupil’s name
- date of birth
- address
- schools attended
- official exam results
- any support needs
Schools can use the issue education records service to give pupils access to their record through the education record app. It’s free to download on Apple and Android devices.
Pupils can view their information in the app as soon as it’s available. Exam results, including GCSEs, will appear when added to the learning records service and can be shared when pupils move to a further education institution or a training provider.
We will be hosting 3 education record webinars for schools during June and July 2026. For more information and links to sign up, visit our ‘Events and Webinars’ section below.
8. Information: New apprenticeship units toolkit now available
A new toolkit is now available to help training providers engage employers and increase the uptake of apprenticeship units.
Apprenticeship units offer short and targeted training based on existing apprenticeship occupational standards. They help employers address specific and urgent skills gaps in their workforce. They are not designed for people starting a new career or occupation.
These units give training providers an opportunity to expand their offer, deliver new programmes and strengthen relationships with employers. They also support employers to upskill staff quickly and effectively.
The training provider toolkit brings together key information and practical resources to support employer engagement activities. It includes guidance and materials to help providers promote apprenticeship units and communicate their benefits clearly.
Use the toolkit to support your engagement with employers and make the most of this new training opportunity.
9. Information: Funding Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards and Alliance schemes through the non-devolved Adult Skills Fund
From 1 August 2026, we will fund Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards and associated Alliance scheme cards for learners in non-devolved areas who are enrolled on eligible construction courses through the ASF and free courses for jobs. This will also include funding for the health and safety test.
In devolved areas, Strategic Authorities will decide whether CSCS card costs can be funded.
We will publish further details in the ASF funding rules on how to record and claim card costs. Funding will only be available for learners enrolled on an appropriate construction course linked to that card.
10. Feedback: Help us improve 16 to 19 allocation information
We are improving how 16 to 19 funding information is presented, specifically calculation information regarding allocation statements for 16 to 19 funding.
We would welcome your feedback on the design currently in development and encourage participation if your role involves accessing and using these documents.
Online feedback sessions will run from Wednesday 1 July to Monday 6 July 2026.
Sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams and will last up to 60 minutes.
Register your expression of interest to take part. We will then contact you to confirm your session date and time.
Your feedback will help make funding information clearer, easier to access and more consistent.
11. Events and webinars: Education record webinars for schools
Tuesday 16 June 2026, 3pm to 3:45pm. Register online.
Monday 29 June 2026, 3.30pm to 4:15pm. Register online.
Tuesday 14 July 2026, 3pm to 3:45pm. Register online.
Monday 27 July 2026, 2.30pm to 3:15pm. Register online.
12. Events and webinars: Early education partnership funding
Tuesday 16 June 2026, 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Register online.
Thursday 18 June 2026, 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Register online.
Tuesday 23 June 2026, 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Register online.
13. Events and webinars: High needs benchmarking on the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool
Thursday 18 June 2026, 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Register on Eventbrite.
14. Events and webinars: DfE energy for schools – a new way to buy energy for your school or trust
Monday 22 June 2026, 11am to 11:30am. Register on Eventbrite.
15. Events and webinars: Risk protection arrangement members only – Health and safety regulatory briefing with extracts of a mock trial
Tuesday 23 June 2026, 9am to midday. Register online.
16. Events and webinars: An update on the management information systems (MIS) framework
Thursday 25 June 2026, 2pm to 2:30pm. Register on Eventbrite.