Maximum break in learning

There's no set limit, it just whether the apprenticeship and/or qualifications are still available when they restart. Also, what I think you were thinking of;

Breaks in learning which exceed 12 months/365 days

We will treat these learners as withdrawn for the QARs when:
They do not have a corresponding restart record in the same funding year or in the following two funding years, or
the planned break recorded in the R14 ILR return for 2017 to 2018 has no corresponding restart record in the R04 ILR return of 2019 to 2020.

Brill, thanks Ruth, I knew someone would know.

Much appreciated.

 

Sue

I believe the rules are along the line of that the learner cannot remain on programme by the R04 ILR two academic years after they were placed on a break. Steve or Martin can probably advise if im incorrect

Sorry both, I didn't notice what Ruth pasted below. That's what I meant lol

Thank you Kelly.

Hi all, sorry to reopen an old thread, but can anyone tell me where the text that Ruth quotes is from? I've been trawling through the guide archives but have drawn a blank so far so am wondering if I'm looking in the right places. Thanks!

Victoria Mansfield It's in the QAR Business Rules;

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/856573/ESFA_business_rules_for_QAR_2019_to_2020_v1_FINAL.pdf

The bit I quoted is actually from the 19/20 FRM report user guide against FRM08, which I can't find a 20/21 equivalent for.

Thanks Ruth! :)

Sorry to reopen this again 

 

but i'm facing a query.  We have an apprentice who wants to take a 9 month break in learning due to a promotion. The employer supports this, but i'm not sure that it is something to accept.  

 

The guidance doesn't give timeframes that i can see, but if someone is working in a higher level job surely this is going to give them the skills that we would teach throughout the programme hence making it difficult to justify activity upon their return.

 

Any thoughts?

You're correct that there is no exclusionary time-frame (QAR concerns notwithstanding), except for where the aim they're on is no longer valid when they return

If the apprentice was on a learning aim prior to their break that is no longer valid when they return (for example, the certification date has passed), then you cannot class this as a break in learning. This limits the length of time that a learner can have as a break in learning.

When someone returns you're advised to re-plan the delivery of any outstanding training/assessment, a part of which could be (in the case of learners who've been on a prolonged break) conducting a supplementary assessment to see if they've picked anything up during their break, and reflecting that in a renegotiated price, if necessary. 

Thanks @...  Those are my thoughts too.  I just think if the learner goes off into a senior role for 9 months they are going to significantly develop their skills making the remaining time/funding a bit unrealistic without rpl-ing down the restart.

What other option do you have other than to withdrawal the learner?

Due to the requirement for learners needing to be in Active learning every 30 days (every month from 1st August) I cant see when we will be able to refuse a BIL request.

 

Just my opinion.

you are correct, but i think we will just be prolonging the process of withdrawal

I don't see any harm in the BIL, as long as you know they will return. 

We have had some cases of apprentices receiving a promotion and they subsequently no longer have access to OTJ time due to their increased workload. This might be something to discuss with the employer before making a final decision.