EFA e-bulletin for schools, colleges, local authorities and other 16 to 19 providers: 5 January 2017
Published 5 January 2017
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-5-january-2017-issue-156/efa-e-bulletin-for-schools-colleges-local-authorities-and-other-16-to-19-providers-5-january-2017
1. Information: 19 to 25 year olds with education health care plans access to the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
We’ve updated the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide for the 2016 to 2017 academic year to confirm students aged 19 to 25 with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) are eligible for support from discretionary bursary funding, regardless of the type of institution they attend.
The guide now also includes additional information about the carrying over of funds from previous academic years; and what those funds can and can’t be used for.
2. Information: transferring learning difficulty assessments to education health care plans
We’ve updated sections 4 and 7 of the high needs funding: operational guide 2016 to 2017. This confirms an extension to the timeline for local authorities to complete the transfer process from learning difficulty assessments (LDAs) to education health care plans (EHCPs) in 2016 to 2017 academic year.
The guide also includes important information for local authorities and institutions regarding how this extension should be managed within the high needs funding system.
3. Information: 16 to 18 further education (FE) data and management information for local authorities
Local authorities (LAs) can now access the December 2016 release of 16 to 18 FE data and management information (MI) pivot tables on EFA Information Exchange. The pivot tables are saved in the Document Exchange, Revenue Funding folder under the academic year 2015 to 2016. The purpose of the release is to update LAs’ overview of provision.
You can access Document Exchange by logging into EFA Information Exchange, and choosing the Document Exchange tab at the top of the page.
If you have any questions about your 16 to 18 FE data and management information (MI) pivot tables, please use our online enquiry form.
For support and guidance about EFA Information Exchange, please visit our support page.
4. Information: apprenticeship levy and public sector duty
From April 2017, all employers with a pay bill of more than £3 million and those linked to another employer which has an aggregated annual pay bill of more than £3 million (including local authorities), will be required to pay an apprenticeship levy.
Department for Education (DfE) has issued a briefing about apprenticeships delivered by education providers as employers. It is intended for head teachers, school business managers or bursars.
You can also read information from HM Revenue and Customs about when you have to pay the apprenticeship levy and how to report your payments.