Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 11 December 2024

Published 11 December 2024

Applies to England

Information: Early years funding arrangements for 2025 to 2026 

On 10 December, we published details of local authorities’ early years entitlements funding for 2025 to 2026 including an updated operational guide, technical note, step-by-step funding tables, and easy explainer.

The operational guide covers changes to pass-through (increased to 96%), confirmation of a new 28 February deadline by which we’re asking local authorities to communicate rates to providers, and new guidance on special educational needs inclusion fund (SENIF) and disability access fund (DAF). 

To support local authorities, we’ve also published:

• local authority case studies, highlighting elements of strong rates setting practice
• termly data collection guidance, explaining how local authorities should collect and submit data for the new entitlements
• early years funding section 251 data
• local authority examples of practice with SENIF and DAF funding on Childcare Works

As part of this, we have announced an unprecedented 45% uplift to early years pupil premium rates and an additional £75 million expansion grant supporting the sector in this critical delivery year, with further details of this grant to come as soon as possible.

Information: 16 to 19 funding allocation and outturn statement R14 2023 to 2024

Final outturn statements are now available on Document exchange for all providers who have submitted a final 16 to 19 individualised learner record (ILR) funding claim and data return.

Following insight from user research, outturn statements will only be available after R14 for the 2024 to 2025 funding year. The 16 to 19 funding claim reports will still be available in submit learner data.

Information: Risk protection arrangement 2025 to 2026 price confirmation

The cost of the risk protection arrangement (RPA) is reviewed annually to ensure breadth of cover and value for money are balanced. We can confirm that the RPA deduction for 2025 to 2026 will be £27 per pupil from:

• Tuesday 1 April 2025 to Tuesday 31 March 2026 for local authority maintained schools (LAMS)
• Monday 1 September 2025 to Monday 31 August 2026 for academies

You don’t need to do anything as your 2025 to 2026 membership will renew automatically on Tuesday 1 April 2025 for LAMS and Monday 1 September 2025 for academies at £27 per pupil. Where members take the decision to leave the RPA, as per the membership rules you will need to provide 3 months’ notice prior to the end of your membership year by contacting RPA.DFE@education.gov.uk to formally let us know.

The RPA continues to offer excellent value for money and all schools classified as public sector schools can join – sign up and join today. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact RPA.DFE@education.gov.uk.

Information: ESFA grant funded providers – view your devolved continuing learners adult skills fund allocation for academic year 2024 to 2025 

As set out in the 19+ allocations technical guidance: 2024 to 2025 – GOV.UK, we have calculated the funding required for adult skills fund, tailored learning and free courses for jobs for learners who: 

• are residents in the Gateshead, Durham, Sunderland, and South Tyneside local authority, which became part of the North-East devolved area in May 2024 

• started prior to the Wednesday 1 May but are due to complete learning after Wednesday 31 July 2024 

The amended allocations will be available shortly in manage your education and skills funding.

If you have any questions after reading our guidance, contact us using our enquiry form. 

Webinars:

• School trips workshop – RPA Members only

Thursday 16 January 2025, 10am to midday. Register online