Further Education Funding Policy Documents 2008-09

This webpage contains a link to all the documents relating specifically to further education for 2008/09.

Whilst Demand-Led Funding means that further education will not exist as a funding stream in 2008/09, there is information relating to further education which has implications for 2008/09.  This type of information will be published on this page.

Outline of Funding Guidance 2008/09
Published 8th February 2008

The LSC Funding Guidance for 2008/09 is being written for 2008/09 as a single set of guidance for providers rather than the previous approach of writing individual funding guidance documents for each particular funding stream. For providers delivering activity across all or most of the LSC funding models this should both reduce the volume of guidance and ensure that those managing and delivering programmes have to adhere to a single set of rules, regulations and guidance.

The LSC Funding Guidance for 2008/09 will consist of 5-6 documents that will be published as a series of booklets during the Spring and Summer terms 2008. Each document will be available as they are published on the LSC website and they will all then be printed and distributed in July 2008.

In 2008/09 both the LSC and all our providers are facing major changes to the funding formula methodology so the intention is that the rules and regulations currently in place for 2007/08 will be rolled over for 2008/09. The only major change will be the simplification often requested by the sector in harmonising the previous rules (principally in FE, WbL and Train to Gain) into a single set of rules and regulations. The Principles, Rules and Regulations document is expected to be the largest individual document within the umbrella LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09.

A much shorter and simpler version is intended to be produced for school sixth form provision delivered in schools after the main guidance appears on the website. This paper is released with the agreement of the FE Communications Gateway Panel.

LSC Funding Guidance Presentation 2008/09
Published 27th August 2008

The attached presentation includes all the main slides on LSC Funding Guidance and the Funding methodology for 2008/09 used and presented by the Funding Implementation Team during 2008. It is hoped the presentation may assist providers in understanding the key aspects of the full guidance.

A workbook is also attached giving some examples on key funding issues for 2008/09.

All the figures used in the example are for the sole purpose of aiding understanding of the funding methodology and are not representative of any actual or intended LSC policy directive or of any individual provider’s funding figures.

Funding Guidance 2008/09 Presentation v2
Published 16th October - amendment to slide 82

Funding Guidance 2008/09 Example Workbook

LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 - School Sixth Form Guidance 2008/09 and 2009/10 
Final Version Published 14th October 2008

Of interest to schools with sixth forms and local authorities

At the beginning of the 2006 autumn term, the LSC issued its guidance for school sixth form funding for 2006/07 and 2007/08.This document sets out the changes that we are introducing to the arrangements for funding school sixth forms in 2008/09 and in 2009/10.

It provides the LSC’s consolidated Funding Guidance for 2008/09 and applies to every LSC funding model for the delivery of programmes to learners.

From 2008/09 the LSC will fund provision through three main funding models: 16-18, Adult Learner Responsive, Employer Responsive.

This documents brings together funding guidance for these models replacing the separate funding documents for Further Education, Work-based learning, School Sixth Forms and Train to Gain.

Funding Guidance 2008/09 - Learner Eligibility Guidance
Final Version Published 15th October 2008

Updated to include the Employment Support Allowance - paragraph 94

This document, LSC Learner Eligibility Guidance for 2008/09 (referred to here as 'the Guidance') sets out the LSC's approach to, and the authoritative guidance for, learner eligibility across the LSC funding streams for 2008/09.

It is a technical reference document and should be used with the various LSC funding stream guidance booklets issued for 2008/09. All colleges, providers and other organisations that receive funding from the LSC for the provision of further and adult education are required to comply with the Guidance.

LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 – Funding Formula for 2008/09
Final Version Published 7^th October 2008

This booklet contains advice on the LSC funding formula in 2008/09 for all three Demand-led funding models. These are 16-18 learner responsive, adult learner responsive and employer responsive.

LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 – Funding Compliance Advice and Audit Guidance 2008/09 
Final Version Published 23rd October 2008

This booklet for 2008/09 contains the funding compliance advice and audit guidance for providers as companion advice to Principles, Rules and Regulations and when published to booklet ILR Funding Claims and Audit Opinions

LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 - ILR Funding Claims and Audit Returns 2008/09
Final Version Published 27th October 2008

This booklet provides all funding estimate/claim forms and external funding ILR auditor opinions for the year 2008/09. The booklet sets out the rules on funding reconciliation for 16-18 and adult learner responsive funding in 2008/09. It also provides advice to colleges or other providers and external ILR auditors on how to complete and return them. For the adult learner-responsive funding model it includes guidance on the calculation of reconciliation funding adjustments for 2008/09 together with an example of the reconciliation statement for 2008/09.


LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 – ILR Funding Claims and Audit Returns - Annex I

Published 14th August 2008

Annex I returns are required by 31 August 2008 and the return is very similar to the 2007/08 return for which guidance is available in the 2007/08 document FE ILR Funding Estimate/Claim 2007/08. It is hoped the main document will be published on the LSC website later this month.

Supporting documents

A51a Advice For Apprenticeships
Published 10th November 2008

This briefing note outlines how providers should complete ILR field A51a, the proportion of funding remaining, for apprenticeships in Driving Goods Vehicles, Construction, Electrotechnical, Engineering, Travel, Plumbing, Communications and IT Services & Development.

A51a Advice For CSkills Diplomas
Published 10th November 2008

This briefing note outlines how providers should complete ILR field A51a, the proportion of funding remaining, when learners are undertaking the new CSkills construction diplomas. This guidance applies to the Learner Responsive and Employer Responsive funding streams.

Employer Responsive Model and level 4 qualifications 2008/09
Published 8^th October 2008

This briefing note is designed to clarify the position of level 4 qualifications within the Employer Responsive model in respect of the eligibility of learners and the funding arrangements in 2008/09 and 2009/10.

Example Apprenticeship Funding rates for 2008/09
Published 13^th August 2008

This document is a single page summary of the way in which SLN Values and Programme Weightings convert into Pounds for Apprenticeships in 2008/09.
The definitive set of Funding Rates can be found by learning aim on the Learning Aims Database.

Train to Gain Funding rates for 2008/09
Published 6^th August 2008

This document is a single page summary of the basic Funding Rates for Train to Gain in 2008/09, including a conversion from the SLN Values and Programme Weightings into Pounds.
The definitive set of Funding Rates can be found by learning aim on the Learning Aims Database.

Single Equality Impact Assessment: Demand-led Funding and the UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme - Sub Programme 3 (Planning, Funding and Delivery of Provision for Learners)
Published 15th July 2008 

This Single Equality Impact Assessment (SEIA) encompasses the implementation of demand-led funding in 2008/09 and two elements of UK VQRP Programme 3, namely the reform of funding and performance measures to support the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) and the alignment of public funding to priority vocational qualifications.

The SEIA was was conducted and is published in accordance with the LSC’s Single Equality Scheme and reflects the Council’s statutory duty to prevent discrimination and promote equality and diversity

Weighted Average Guided Learning Hours (WAGLH): Distribution of Guided Learning Hours by Learning Aim
Published 15 January 2008
This document uses the data from the F04 returns for 2006/07 to inform funding decisions for the 16-18 and Learner Responsive Models in 2008/09.

Advice on distance learning

Employer Responsive Model and Train to Gain - Level 3 trials (Transitional Arrangements: Version 2)
Published 17 September 2008

The document has been update to include correct weightings for Health, Public Services and Care and Transportation.

This briefing note covers transitional arrangements for TtG Level 3 trial learners who started in learning prior to 1^st August 2008 and continue in learning past 1^st august 2008. It explains the payment process and systems in relation to the change in funding methodology. It also explains how additional funding will be claimed for this type of learner who achieves in 2008/09.

Employer Responsive Model and Train to Gain (Transitional Arrangements)
Published 20th June 2008

This briefing note covers transitional arrangements for TtG learners who start in learning prior to 1^st August 2008 and continue in learning past 1^st august 2008. It explains the payment process and systems in relation to the change in funding methodology.

Employer Responsive Model and Apprenticeships (Transitional Arrangements)
Published 20th June 2008

This briefing note covers transitional arrangements for Apprenticeship learners who start in learning prior to 1^st August 2008 and continue in learning and achieve past 1^st august 2008 but before 1^st august 2009. It explains the process that providers will need to follow in order to claim funding where, due to a change in methodology, is lower than would be if the methodology had not changed.

Train to Gain changes - letters to all colleges and training providers
Published 20th June 2008

Forms

The following forms are also referred to in the LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 Principles, Rules and Regulations: 

ALS over £5,500

ALS under £5,500

Distance learning costs form

First Full Level 2 - Train to Gain Self Declaration Form

Train to Gain - Additional Flexibilities Guidance