Correspondence

ESFA Update further education: 13 April 2022

Published 13 April 2022

This correspondence was withdrawn on 27 December 2023

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. Read the latest editions of ESFA Update for the latest news and information.

Applies to England

1. Reminder: external assurance on subcontracting controls 2021 to 2022 returns by 31 July 2022

In accordance with the funding rules, providers are required to obtain an annual report and certificate from an external auditor that provides assurance on their arrangements to manage and control their delivery subcontractors. 

Providers are in scope if they have entered subcontracts to deliver provision with an aggregate value of more than £100,000 each academic year (from 1 August to 31 July). This aggregate value includes apprenticeships, 16 to 19 programmes, traineeships, and all other adult provision. 

You must return both your report and certificate to us by ESFA Document Exchange. We will review it as part of our compliance arrangements.  

Further information on the process of uploading your report and certificate by ESFA Document exchange, is available on the providing external assurance on subcontracting controls page on GOV.UK. 

The submission deadline is 31 July 2022. 

2. Information: T Levels funding guidance for 2022 to 2023

We have published funding guidance for T Levels for the 2022 to 2023 academic year.  

Updates on this page include:

• new increased funding rates  

• tolerance rate for T Levels for 2022 to 2023 has reduced to 20%  

• maths and English requirements   

• information on additional hours, including what they should be used for  

• what T Level courses are available for funding  

• updates on programme cost weightings  

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

3. Information: seeking suppliers to deliver services relating to supported internships

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking suppliers to deliver services relating to Supported Internships.  

Supported Internships (SIs) are a work-based study programme for 16 to 24 year olds with SEND who have an education health and care plan, who want to move into employment and who need extra support to do so. SIs are designed to equip young people with the skills they need to secure and sustain employment through learning in the workplace. 

 DfE wants to build the capacity of the SI programme and are aiming to double the number of SIs from c.2,250 internship enrolments per annum to c.4,500 per annum by 2025. Two contracts will be commissioned to deliver services to meet these aims. 

Further information for any potential bidders is available on Contracts Finder.

The Invitation to Tender is now live with a Bid Response Deadline of 12.00 noon 13 May 2022.  

4. Information: Take Five’s Art of Impersonation fraud campaign

We are supporting @TakeFive’s #TheArtOfImpersonation campaign.

Criminals pretend to be people and organisations we know, in order to gain our trust and ask for payments or personal info.

Take Five is a national campaign offering straight-forward, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based and online fraud – particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.

Find out more information on the Take Five website.

5. Information: IFATE apprentice panel recruitment

Recruitment to join the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education apprentice panel has now opened.

The main purpose of the apprentice panel is to ensure the views of apprentices are represented across the work and governance of the Institute. The panel decides which issues to focus on, and panel representatives attend Institute board meetings to advise and challenge on those issues. They also meet regularly with ministers and other government officials to ensure the apprentice experience is front and centre of new policy thinking.

To apply, apprentices need to complete the expression of interest form and upload a copy of their CV. Closing date for applications is midnight on 16 May 2022.

6. Information: ESFA adult education (AEB) funding rules 2022 to 2023

We have published the draft ESFA adult education (AEB) funding rules 2022 to 2023 in the new HMTL format which is more accessible to readers.

The rules apply to all providers of education and training who receive AEB funding from the ESFA.

A full breakdown of the changes is included in the What’s New section of the rules.

• continuing learners information has been updated to highlight who is eligible for ESFA funding

• we have updated the information box in the Staying on the Register of Training Organisations section

• The National Skills Fund – level 3 adult offer is now referred to as the Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer

• community learning section now includes a paragraph which emphasises the importance of learners progressing to new and more stretching provision, and includes clarification of claiming learning and learner support

The performance management section will be added in version 1 which is due to be published in May.

If you have any feedback on the draft 2022 to 2023 AEB funding rules, please contact us through our enquiry form.

7. Your feedback: T Level outline content survey- cyber security occupational specialism

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is looking to introduce a new cyber security occupational specialism for the T Level in digital support services.

The T Level in digital support services is currently in delivery and this occupational specialism will be in addition to the others already available. It will be aligned to the level 3 cyber security technician standard, approved May 2020, and will support meeting the needs of the growing industry.

Complete the survey on the draft outline content. The survey closes midnight on 2 May 2022.