ASF - Unemployed and not on benefits

Firstly, there's no "evidence" that you can collect that is any more meaningful that checking what's in their pockets (multiple bank accounts, joints bank accounts etc). But, since DfE insist we must see evidence (not in the actual guidance that I can find, but they've confirmed in webinars etc), the best we can do is ask to see bank statements showing no income. You cannot take copies of those, so you just have to somehow record that you saw it. Auditors have previously been happy with low wage that we just recorded what we saw and who saw it, we don't take copies of payslips or employment contracts. We do also record reason for full funding on the enrolment form, which is signed by the student.

Many thanks Ruth, much appreciated.  This is pretty much what I had in my mind but just wanted that bit of extra confirmation.

The bit that says "you are satisfied identified learning is directly relevant to their employment prospects" - this is surely open to abuse in some cases as someone could tell us that they want to go into a particular profession, do the course, but then change their mind or not be able to gain employment in that profession.  I suppose that would be a massive waste of their own time though.  Maybe I'm overthinking it?

Correct, and you can't prove otherwise. We do ask them to declare that, and that's on the forms. Here's an example from a paper form:

That's very useful, many thanks!

@ruth: what evidence do you accept for self employed learners?

This is one area we struggle with.

Kelly Knights I asked my colleague who deals with this, and she said we ask for an SA302 form to evidence earnings, or if they're also claiming UC, it will show on their UC statement. She did also say that it's a pain to obtain from people because they tend to try and submit their self-assessments, which aren't verified. We don't get very many.