Update: issue 358 (14 June 2017)
Updated 28 June 2017
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2017
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1.Submission of final exceptional learning support (ELS) costs for 2016 to 2017
Action
You must submit your final claims using the 2016 to 2017 claim form by 24 October 2017. You should send the form to Exceptional Learning Support Claims.
If final claims are higher than the approved estimated cost, they will require further approval from the ESFA.
For further information on claiming exceptional learning support, please refer to the funding rules 2016 to 2017, the exceptional learning support page on GOV.UK or email Exceptional Learning Support Claims.
2.Decommissioning the contracts and finances area of the hub
Action
The contracts and finances area of the Hub will start to be decommissioned at the end of June 2017 when providers will no longer have access.
You will need to download and save any documents held in the service that you want to keep, such as:
- contracts
- funding statements
- funding claim forms
- reconciliation statements
- subcontractor declaration forms
- apprenticeship grant for employers (AGE) reports
Many of these are now available in the Skills Funding Service (SFS) and other services that need to be retained will be made available in SFS between now and the end of September 2017.
3.Qualification achievement rates (QAR) 2015 to 2016 – final data
Information
We will publish the national achievement rate tables on 15 June. We will also update the national achievement rates headline data published in the Statistical First Release (SFR).
All provider QAR dashboards and data files will be updated on the Hub at the same time. Some providers will see a slight increase to their QAR due to the inclusion of learners on an agreed break in learning prior to August 2013. There is no impact on the minimum standards position for any providers.
For further information, please refer to the updated dataset production specification documents.
4.National achievement rates tables (NART) 2015 to 2016
Information
We will publish the national achievement rates tables, including related annexes on 15 June following the end of an extended pre-election period this year.
The information will be available in the Statistical First Release (SFR) when the link goes live on 15 June.
The national achievement rates headline data previously published in the SFR will also be updated on 15 June.
If you have any queries, please email the service desk.
5.New apprenticeship provider assurance and support
Information
As employers begin to take control of their apprenticeship programmes, they have a greater choice of training providers as new organisations are accepted onto the register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP).
We want to ensure employers receive the highest quality service and we are carrying out planned assurance work to support these new organisations to deliver to the highest standards. This includes workshops, self-assessments, surgeries, visits and funding audits.
As well as providing support, we will also consider the impact on their RoATP status if we have significant concerns during this process.
We will contact all new providers directly, however, if they have any questions they should contact their provider manager.