Reporting functional skills in ILR

FS aims can take place at any time during the Apprenticeship.

FS aims are recorded as component aim type 3 with start and planned end dates that reflect the actual period of planned delivery so that funding is drawn down over the period of delivery.

You record the same ACT as used on the programme aim for FS aims but with dates that reflect actual delivery..

Thanks Martin, I've tried to put it through but get a whole host of errors it says learning aim ref is not valid / not valid for this funding year / not valid for this start date?. I've tried to find information in the support manual about putting in functional skills but couldn't. Is there any step by step instructions available? It says apprenticeship contract type must not be returned for the learning aim?

Thanks

Emma

Do I need to return anything in financial details?

Have you checked the aim reference is valid in LARS?

You record the basic details (ProgType, Standard) the same as the programme aim, but no financial details as this is funded by the ESFA @ £471 over the deration of the delivery.

Hi yes I had missed a digit off the end so that has got rid of most errors but still left with:

Apprenticeship contract type must not be returned for this aim?

I have put it as funding model 36 - is that correct?

Thanks

Emma

What is the validation rule and what aim reference have you used?

For ACT: this field must be completed by all providers for apprenticeships funded through Funding model 36. This information is recorded on the programme aim and all English and maths component aims.

@... The rules for that error are;

If the learning aim is not part of an apprenticeship funded programme, then the Apprenticeship contract type must not be returned

(error where LearningDeliveryFAM.LearnDelFAMType = ACT)

This rule is not triggered for apprenticeship funded programme aims, and English and maths aims (LearningDelivery.FundModel = 36 and (LearningDelivery.AimType = 1 or (LearningDelivery.AimType = 3) and (LARS_BasicSkillsType = 01, 11, 13, 20, 23, 24, 29, 31, 02, 12, 14, 19, 21, 25, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35 or LARS_CommonComponent = 20) where LearningDelivery.LearnAimRef = LARS_LearnAimRef and LearningDelivery.LearnStartDate => LARS_EffectiveFrom (and =< LARS_EffectiveTo or LARS_EffectiveTo = null)))

Have you definitely recorded these as Aim Type 3 as Martin explained? It's definitely a current FS aim, not an expired one?

Hi Ruth - yes recorded as aim type 3 here is what the error says if thathelps?

Weird! What's the learning aim?

Ah I've just realised its for an ICT functional skill which isn't fundable through apprenticeships is it? It is part of our programme through so do I need to submit as a component aim but not return ACT then only return the ACT when it's a maths or english?

Correct. ACT is only for the funded bits, so the Standard itself, and the English and maths, not ICT. You can still record the ICT as funding 36, but it actually makes little difference what funding stream you use. We actually got a bit stuck when a non-mandatory qual we happen to be delivering with the apprenticeship ended up carrying on after the Standard has closed, and we'd coded is funding 36 and aim type 3. You can't have an open component within a closed Standard (except for English and maths), so it needed to be recorded as not a component.

The above is all so very good so know and thus understand, thanks Martin West and Ruth Canham-James :)

Can I just ask on this basis, we have a learner who is doing a level 2 App. They are studying FS L1, as this is a requirement and also working towards FS L2 as this is also a requirement. Do I record both L1 and L2 aims in the "other component aims" section at the same time, or do they have to pass L1, we add an end date and then we start L2. In other words are they allowed to run concurrently? Many thanks as always for your time and guidance

You should see the funding rules Support for English and maths training on page 32

P143 You can claim funding for apprentices who have not previously attained a GCSE grade A* to C (or 9 to 4) in English or maths (or both) on the day they start the following qualifications:

P143.1 GCSE English language or maths (or both); or

P143.2 Functional skills English or maths at level 2 (or both).

P144 For level 2 apprenticeships, where a level 2 qualification in English or maths is not required for the apprenticeship and the apprentice does not already hold the acceptable qualifications for their standard, then main providers must adopt the following approach and can claim funding for an apprentice in the following scenarios:

P144.1 Where the apprentice holds neither level 1 nor level 2 approved qualifications and is judged by the main provider to be working below level 1 standard in English/maths:

 Apprentices must study towards and achieve English and maths qualifications of at least level 1 (functional skills level 1 or GCSE grade E or 2), and start, study towards and take the assessments for level 2 qualifications in these subjects. The apprentice is not required to achieve level 2 qualifications in order to successfully complete their apprenticeship. These requirements must be fulfilled before the apprentice takes the end-point assessment.

Main providers must also ensure that any level 1 training and assessments are taken at an early enough stage in the apprenticeship to allow sufficient time for an apprentice to study towards and take the assessments for the level 2 qualification, after a level 1 has been achieved. Where the apprentice does not achieve the level 2, main providers can claim only for the training given.

P144.2 Where the apprentice does not already hold approved level 1 qualifications, but is judged by the main provider to be working at level 1 standard in English/maths:

Apprentices must start, continue to study and take the assessment for level 2 English and maths (functional skills level 2 or GCSE). If they do not achieve a level 2, you must then ensure they take the assessment for level 1 English and/or maths – this is because they must secure the level 1 qualification in order to complete their apprenticeship.

You must ensure that any level 2 training and assessments are taken at an early enough stage in the apprenticeship to allow time for the apprentice to take the level 1 assessment if they first do not achieve the level 2. In this scenario we will not fund costs for level 1 training and assessment. These requirements must be fulfilled before the apprentice takes the end-point assessment.

P144.3 Where the apprentice already holds approved level 1 qualifications: Apprentices must start, continue to study and take the assessments for a level 2 English and/or maths (functional skills level 2 or GCSE). This requirement must be fulfilled before the apprentice takes the end-point assessment.

P145 We will fund functional skills English and/or maths at level 1 or below where you (or a subcontractor) has conducted an initial assessment that shows the apprentice needs to study at a lower level before being able to achieve their level 2. The apprentice must be judged to be below level 1 to be funded for a level 1 qualification.

Very much what Martin says. In my experience, auditors are all over this. You must only deliver the L1 FS first if you have some kind of assessment evidence (like BKSB) that they were only working at entry level when they started. If the assessment says they were already working at L1, you have to put them on L2 from the off. I don't think you can deliver both aims at once, we never allow that. If they genuinely require L1 first, that needs completing and passing before you can add the L2. How can you justify that they needed L1 if you're able to deliver L2 all along?

The assessment shows they are working at entry level so do we add FS L1 and then when they achieve L1 close that aim and then open the L2 as they will then be studying and working towards L2? We always try and ensure we get the FS out of the way early on in the App. so we don't come unstuck when they panic at the end and don't want to sit FS! This has happened. Also, it allows plenty of time to ensure they can and do achieve their FS, as whatever happens, this is so important for them in future life, apprenticeship complete or not