Correspondence

ESFA Update further education: 28 February 2024

Published 28 February 2024

Applies to England

1. Information: publication of financial handbook for independent training providers

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has today published a financial handbook for independent training providers (ITPs), which comes into effect on 1 August 2024. It applies to ITPs in receipt of funds provided directly by the Department for Education (DfE) or ESFA, for the duration of providers’ contracts of service with DfE or ESFA.

The handbook focuses on the 3 themes of governance: financial management, oversight, and assurance – outlining requirements and recommendations for ITPs dependent on their level of DfE and ESFA funding. Key areas include the submission of annual accounts, external audit, internal controls, risk management, and compliance with funding rules.

A letter from ESFA’s chief executive, David Withey provides more information.

We are grateful to those ITPs who have provided feedback during the development of the handbook.

2. Information: 16 to 19 additional hours in study programmes

ESFA increased funding from the academic year 2022 to 2023 for the introduction of an additional 40 hours for band 5 study programmes, T Levels, and for proportionate increases in hours for other study programmes.

For the academic year 2024 to 2025, it is the continued expectation that all institutions deliver on average 40 more hours on band 5 programmes, than in the academic year 2020 to 2021.  

ESFA has maintained the increase in funding band hours in the academic year 2024 to 2025 to account for the additional hours. It is recognised that there will be some variation with differences in cohorts and courses, but the agency will analyse where the data suggests that teaching hours have not significantly increased.  

As the policy remains the same, the guidance on 16 to 19 additional hours in study programmes will remain unchanged from the academic year 2023 to 2024 guidance. It will be incorporated into the 2024 to 2025 study programme guidance to reduce burdens for providers, which will be published in due course.  

Institutions should continue to: 

• use additional hours flexibly, broadly in line with study programme guidance, to best meet the needs of students 
• prioritise maths in the use of additional hours where there is an identified student need 
• use additional hours to support areas such as mental health, wellbeing or study skills where these are a barrier for students effectively accessing teaching and learning

3. Information: ESFA Adult Skills Fund – Tailored Learning

The primary purpose of Tailored Learning is to support learners into employment and to progress to further learning. It can also be used to support wider purposes of learning, including building confidence, and improving well-being.  

For ESFA-funded Adult Skills Fund (ASF) provision, you must not use Tailored Learning funding for learning that is primarily or solely for leisure purposes, which is defined as learning where the primary or sole intent of the learning is for leisure. This applies to curriculum intent and to the learner’s purpose for undertaking the learning.   

Learners studying on the same course may have different purposes. For example, a learner may participate on a course with the learning aim ‘Creative Arts’ to improve their confidence, and another to improve their wellbeing. Similarly, a learner may participate on a course within the learning aim ‘volunteering, active citizenship’ to develop employability skills, and another to contribute to community life.

4. Information: registration now open for Apprenticeship Workforce Development courses

Registration is now open for a series of bespoke continuous professional development (CPD) sessions that are tailored specifically for early years providers.

Launched in January 2021, the DfE-funded Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme provides free, high-quality, CPD training and resources to support staff at all levels and roles to deliver high-quality apprenticeship provision.

This is a fantastic opportunity for professional development of early years staff delivering apprenticeships across further and higher education settings.

Course timetable:

• Monday 4 March, 2pm to 5pm – Ensuring positive career destinations & outcomes
• Monday 11 March, 2pm to 5pm– Strategies for reducing apprentice withdrawals
• Wednesday 13 March, 2pm to 5pm – Contextualising Functional Skills for apprentice success.

You must register to secure a place. Email [email protected] for more information.

5. Information: national measles webinar

DfE is hosting a webinar on the increase in measles cases, with speakers from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England (NHSE).

The webinar will cover information on measles, an overview of current epidemiology, the importance of the MMR vaccination and how to get it, as well as how to manage cases and outbreaks in educational settings.

Education settings can sign up to the live webinar that will take place on Monday 4 March at 4pm to 5pm.  

For those that cannot attend on the day, the webinar will be recorded.

6. Your feedback: ITP participants still required – last chance, registration closes Thursday 29 February 2024

ESFA is reviewing the process for ITPs submitting financial statements and needs your help.

This project offers an opportunity for you to help us understand whether the financial submissions process meets your needs, but this opportunity is closing at 5pm on Thursday 29 February 2024.

We encourage anyone involved in the submission of ITP financial statements to ESFA, regardless of your organisations’ size or experience, to consider booking a meeting and/or to complete the online survey, as this will help us better understand whether the process meets your needs.

To get involved, please:

• complete a short online survey
• register your interest to take part in a meeting