Guidance

ILR data: provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT)

Provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) and reports to help FE providers make accurate and complete individualised learner record (ILR) data returns.

Applies to England

Documents

Access PDSAT

Provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) online: user guide

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Reviewing provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) reports for 2021 to 2022: user guide

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Reviewing provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) reports for 2020 to 2021: user guide

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

PDSAT is a tool for analysing learner and learning delivery data. It interrogates individual learner record (ILR) data and produces reports on this data, so that providers can identify and investigate potential anomalies in the ILR data.

We have developed PDSAT:

  • to include new functionality for the 2023 to 2024 funding year
  • maintain existing functionality applicable from the 2021 to 2022 funding year onwards

PDSAT will process ILR data for all funding years from 2021 to 2022.

It is providers’ responsibility to implement processes to ensure that they return timely and accurate data in their ILRs.

We encourage providers to use PDSAT to regularly check ILR data reducing the risk of:

  • overclaiming funds from ESFA
  • repayment of funds

Reviewing PDSAT reports: user guide

The user guide is for providers who are required to maintain ILR data and ensure it is complete and accurate. This includes:

  • colleges
  • independent training providers
  • employer-providers
  • other organisations

The guide is also used to deliver funding audits and other reviews by

  • the ESFA and accountancy firms
  • external and internal auditors

This guide does not explain how to use the PDSAT software. You can access the ‘PDSAT User Guide’ in the documentation section of the tool, within the ‘settings’ tab.

Registering your organisation for PDSAT

If you have not yet registered to use PDSAT, you must request the creation of a new organisation.

Older versions of PDSAT

A desktop version of PDSAT is available for funding years from 2016 to 20217 through to 2021 to 2022.

Further support

If you have any problems running PDSAT, or have any queries please contact the PDSAT helpdesk.

Updates to this page

Published 29 July 2019
Last updated 13 September 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added 'Provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) online: user guide 2023 to 2024' and 'Privacy policy: Provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT)'.

  2. We have published the Provider data self-Assessment toolkit (PDSAT) online: user guide.

  3. We have published guidance about the updates planned to the PDSAT.

  4. We have updated the Reviewing provider data self assessment toolkit (PDSAT) reports for 2021 to 2022: user guide.

  5. We have published the reviewing provider data self assessment toolkit (PDSAT) reports for 2021 to 2022: user guide.

  6. We have published the latest user guide for reviewing provider data self assessment toolkit (PDSAT) reports for 2020 to 2021.

  7. We have published the user guide for reviewing provider data self assessment toolkit (PDSAT) reports for 2019 to 2020.

  8. First published.

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