SFA CHANGES IN 2016/17
SFA Changes 2016/17
• A single document sets out the rules
to follow for all Skills Funding Agency
(SFA) provision.
• The SFA have separate funding rules
for each programme (for example
apprenticeships). This includes
funding rules common to all
apprenticeships, regardless of whether
providers are delivering frameworks
or standards.
SFA Changes 2016/17
2016/17 Overview
• No major funding rule changes to Framework
Apprenticeships
• Adult Skills Budget (ASB) now forms part of Adult
Education Budget (AEB)
• Providers will continue to be funded by the SFA in
2016/17 but there will be an increasing
expectation that Providers will ensure their
provision meets the local priorities. This is an
existing requirement that will need to be
developed further.
SFA Changes 2016/17
Advanced Learner Loans (Renamed)
•
•
•
Loans now available to individuals aged 19 and older.
Loans now available for approved learning aims at levels 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Must check a learner’s legal entitlement to full funding for a first full
Level 3 before providing information on loans as there are
circumstances under which a learner aged 19 to 23 can access AEB
funding for a first full Level 3 qualification rather than access a loan. If
unable to offer a fully funded full Level 3 to a learner who has a legal
entitlement to one, they must be signposted to the National Careers
Service to obtain information about alternative providers.
•
The rules for subcontracting provision funded by loans have changed.
You cannot enter into any new subcontracting arrangements in 2016 to
2017. Any subcontracts already in place must have completed delivery
by 31 July 2017.
SFA Changes 2016/17
Apprenticeships: English and maths Requirements
(Intermediate Apprenticeships)
Rules that apply to all intermediate level apprentices who start
frameworks on or after 1 August 2014.
• If they already have a Level 2 in English and maths that meets the
minimum requirement of the apprenticeship framework before they
start then they are exempt from taking English or maths.
• If they already have a Level 1 in either English or maths that meets
the minimum requirement of the apprenticeship framework before
they start they must start and continue to study Level 2 English or
maths.
• If the apprentice studies at Level 2 in English or maths where they
already have qualifications that meet the requirements of the
apprenticeship framework, they do not need to achieve these before
framework achievement can be claimed.
SFA Funding Rules 2016/17
Apprenticeships: English and maths Requirements
(Intermediate Apprenticeships)
• If they do not have the Level 1 in English or maths that meets the
minimum requirement of the apprenticeship framework before they
start they must:
• be offered the opportunity to take Level 2 functional skills or
GCSE qualifications in English or maths
• achieve the English and maths requirements set in the
framework
• If they achieve Level 1 in English or maths during their
apprenticeship, you must offer them Level 2 Functional Skills or
GCSE qualifications in English or maths. You must record the
offer of Level 2 in English or maths during an apprenticeship in
the learner file, and have evidence where the apprentice declines
to take up the offer.
SFA Funding Rules 2016/17
APPRENTICESHIPS
ACHIEVEMENTS
• You must provide copies of the certificate within three
months of the completion date of a learning aim,
including the framework certificate.
• Learners cannot achieve an interim aim whilst on a
break in learning. If IV takes place after the start of the
break in learning then the achievement cannot be
claimed.
SFA Funding Rules 2016/17
APPRENTICESHIPS STANDARDS
• Separate funding rules document
• Existing funding model used, as
introduced in 2014/15
• New paperwork will be in place to
accommodate this provision – do
not use existing apprenticeship
paperwork
• Notify BST as early as possible with
details of standards being delivered
SFA Funding Rules 2016/17
APPRENTICESHIP FRAMEWORKS
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
• There are no significant changes to the funding
calculation in the funding year 2016 to 2017. SFA will
fund all learning aims at the same rate as the funding
year 2015 to 2016.
• Cannot recruit apprenticeship starts after 1 April 2017
– new rules and funding guide due shortly.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
• Adult Skills Budget (ASB) now forms part
of Adult Education Budget (AEB)
• Ensure IAG records how the learner
needs fit in with local priorities and
labour market information.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
50% rule gone:
• For non-Apprenticeship aims – all RPL that can be recognised
towards a qualification will require reduction in funding as it
currently does in Apprenticeships.
Definition of ‘Unemployed’ for Local Flexibility:
• Updated definition of ‘unemployed’ that includes those who
are on Universal Credit and are either earning less than 16 x
the NMW per week or £330 per month; and are determined
by JCP as being in a work related requirement group, work
preparation group or work-focused interview group.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
• New starts funded from the AEB in the funding year 2016 to 2017, rates for
qualifications are set using the funding rate that was set in 2015 to 2016.
• If a rate was not set in the funding year 2015 to 2016, then a Single Activity
Matrix (SAM) will be used to set rates for all eligible qualifications. This will
enable funding of planned activity, based on hours, to simplify the system by
merging the existing matrices and supports the transition to local
commissioning by enabling more flexibility to meet learners’ and employers’
needs locally.
• Rates for new qualifications are set using regulated GLH; where GLH is not
supplied, SFA will use Total Qualification Time (TQT). SFA group GLH, TQT or
planned hours into funding bands to generate a funding rate. The rates are held
in the SAM, with the rows representing the funding band and the columns
representing the programme weighting.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
Non-Apprenticeships
• SFA will not fund any learning aim delivered at
an employee’s workplace and relevant to either
their job or their employer’s business, unless
the learner has an entitlement to full funding.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
FUNDING RATES AND FORMULA
Non-Apprenticeships
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
LEGAL ENTITLEMENT TO LEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3 OR ENGLISH & MATHS
(REFER TO PTP FUNDING TABLE)
• When exercising a legal entitlement it has to be
a qualification on the lists issued by the SFA
(Separate Legal Entitlement lists for Level 2,
Level 3 and English & Maths)
• The qualifications will show on the HUB under
Adult Skills as ‘Legal Entitlement - Level 2’ or
‘Only for Legal Entitlement at level 3’ or ‘Legal
Entitlement – English and Maths’ under the
‘category’ tab.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
LEGAL ENTITLEMENT LEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
LOCAL FLEXIBILITY: NOT LEGAL ENTITLEMENT LEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3
(REFER TO PTP FUNDING TABLE)
This is AEB delivery funded by the SFA outside of the entitlements. All qualifications
delivered as part of local flexibility must be from the RQF (Regulated Qualifications
Framework) and show on the hub under Adult Skills and confirmed as eligible for local
delivery under the ‘category’ tab. They will be at entry level, level 1 and level 2.
SFA Changes 2016/17
ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET (AEB)
LEGAL ENTITLEMENT TO LEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3
•
•
•
•
Be extra careful when identifying if a previous qualification
is classed as ‘full’ for the purposes of identifying if
entitlement funding is applicable for first full Level 2 or 3
Check the date it was undertaken, Appendix G and the
relevant year on the HUB for guidance.
If it was classed as a ‘full’ at the time they started it will be
classed as ‘full’ for prior attainment purposes now and will
therefore rule the learner out of the entitlement funding.
Don’t rely on what the HUB states for this year unless it
was started in this year.
SFA Changes 2016/17
SFA/ESF REQUIREMENTS
Key ILR data:
• Employment status prior to starting (does not refer to the day
before training starts – e.g. if unemployed and placed in an
organisation by the Provider then do not add employer details to
the application form – complete a new IAG to reflect the change
and justification for programme). Shows distance travelled.
• Household situation – capture data wherever possible.
• Prior attainment – must be accurate and include qualifications
recorded on the application form and LRS (relevant
discrepancies must be investigated and outcome recorded on
the IAG Record).
• Destination data – must be accurate and should not be ‘not
known’. Don’t confuse ‘Can’t contact learner’ with information
‘not known’ if destination is known.
SFA Changes 2016/17
SFA/ESF REQUIREMENTS
ESF - Publicity:
•
Must follow the rules relating to marketing (displaying correct ESF
logo on website and marketing materials, displaying ESF plaque and
poster. This may be checked by SFA/ESF representative and must be
in place – particularly on websites)
•
Must advise the learner of ESF match funding (declarations are on
PTP paperwork). When printing paperwork, ensure that
information fits correctly on each page and logo is fully displayed
(logo should be displayed on the signature page).
SFA Changes 2016/17
SFA/ESF REQUIREMENTS
Policies and Plans:
•
PTP must have current copies of the following:
•
•
•
•
Sustainable Development Policy and Plan (each year’s
plan should show distance travelled and milestones
achieved)
Equality and Diversity Policy and Plan (each year’s plan
should show distance travelled and milestones achieved)
Health & Safety Policy (including Safeguarding Policy)
Self Assessment Document and QIPs
SFA Changes 2016/17
SFA/ESF REQUIREMENTS
ESF Rules:
Check the rules:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/494599/ESF_2014-20_Funding_Rules_v2_January_2016.pdf
SFA Changes 2016/17