ILR help guide: tools, tips and trusted links
Welcome to the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) support hub
On this page, you'll find all the support you need for submitting your ILR returns throughout the year. It's important that the data you submit to us in each return is accurate, to ensure your funding is calculated correctly.
This page brings together a series of short support videos designed to help you understand, manage, and improve the quality of your ILR data submissions to the Department for Education (DfE). Whether you're new to submitting ILR returns, or looking to strengthen your data quality processes, this page is here to offer practical guidance, examples and tips to help you submit your returns.
To support you, we’ve included:
Support videos
Covering key topics such as learning aims, funding models, validation tools, and common data issues.
Key terms
Covering key terms and links to our central ILR glossary
Further information and resources
Direct links to official DfE guidance, specifications, and support manuals.
Support videos
Understanding data submission errors
Funding Rules Monitoring (FRM)
ILR - An introduction
In this video, you'll find a brief introduction into:
- what the ILR is
- why we ask for ILR data
-
who we ask for ILR data
Useful links
Individualised Learner Record (ILR) - GOV.UK
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
ILR - Key components
In this video, you'll find support on understanding key ILR components, including:
- learner information
- learning aims and outcomes
- funding streams
- apprenticeship data requirements
-
how to submit ILR data correctly
Useful links
Individualised Learner Record (ILR) - GOV.UK
ILR data: provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) - GOV.UK
FIS (Funding Information Service) tool
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
Understanding data submission errors
In this video, you'll find support on how to understand data submission errors, including:
- why submission errors matter
- how to prevent submission errors
- using the Submit Learner Data portal
-
fixing errors effectively
Useful links
Learning Records Service (LRS) guidance - GOV.UK
Learning Records Service (LRS)
ILR data: provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) - GOV.UK
FIS (Funding Information Service) tool
Appendices, validation rules, and schema ILR 2024 to 2025
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
Funding Rules Monitoring (FRM)
In this video you'll find support on Funding Rules Monitoring including:
- what is FRM
- why FRM matters
- how FRM works
- interpreting and responding to FRM reports
- common pitfalls to avoid
-
embedding FRM into your workflow
Useful links:
Financial assurance: monitoring post-16 funding - GOV.UK
Check ILR reports for possible data errors in your return
FIS (Funding Information Service) tool
ILR data: provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) - GOV.UK
Submitting ILR returns
In this video you will find support on submitting your ILR return, including:
- what is an ILR return
- when to submit your ILR return
- how to submit your ILR return
- common submission issues and how to avoid them
- best practice for smooth submissions
-
what happens after submission
Useful links
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK
Data collections maintenance schedule for 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
ILR guidance: Collecting and submitting data
Key terms
Here are some key terms and their definitions from the ILR that can help you understand and manage learner data more effectively.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aim type | Tells you if the learning is part of a programme or a single course. |
| Apprenticeship standard | The skills and knowledge needed for a specific job. |
| Completion status | Whether the learner finished the course activities. |
| Employment status | The learner’s job situation when they started the course. |
| Funding model | Shows where the money for the course comes from. |
| Learning aim reference | A unique code for the course or qualification. |
| Learning delivery monitoring | Extra codes that show if the course is part of a special scheme. |
| Outcome | What happened at the end of the course (for example, passed or still learning). |
| Planned end date | The date the course was expected to finish. |
| Prior attainment | The highest qualification the learner had before starting. |
For more helpful terms, please see our glossary.
Further information and resources
Links to our services and guidance
Individualised Learner Record (ILR) - GOV.UK
Individualised Learner Record (ILR) technical documents, guidance and requirements
Guidance: Learning Aim Reference Service (LARS)
Funding Information Service (FIS)
Learning Records Service (LRS) - GOV.UK
Financial assurance: monitoring post-16 funding - GOV.UK
Links to our help articles
Preparing your final ILR return (R14) – Customer help centre
For more help articles, please see our library
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