ESFA Update further education: 17 August 2022
Published 17 August 2022
Applies to England
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1. Action: preparing for R14 – reviewing FRM reports
It’s important that providers review their FRM reports in preparation for submitting their final ILR data return for R14. For supporting information to help ensure your data is accurate and compliant we have published some helpful articles on the ESFA help centre.
2. Information: Skills Bootcamps funding guidance
The Skills Bootcamps funding guidance sets out the funding and performance management guidance for all suppliers with a contract to deliver Department for Education (DfE) Wave 3 Skills Bootcamps funded by the DfE via the Education and Skills Funding Agency from August 2022.
All suppliers accessing funding via a contract must follow the guidance set out in this document regardless of where they are based or delivering. For further detail on your contractual obligations please refer to your contract.
Suppliers accessing funding for Skills Bootcamp delivery directly via a Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), Combined Authority (CA), Greater London Authority (GLA), Local Authority (LA), Local Economic Partnership (LEP), should refer to the specific guidance from them and not this document.
3. Information: IfATE’s revisions status report for August 2022
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has published its latest revisions standards report.
The revisions status report:
- shows apprenticeships that are being revised
- provides a brief overview of the revisions planned for each apprenticeship
- states the stage that each revision has reached.
Read the report on the IfATE website.
4. Information: independent training providers (ITP) financial forecasts
We are continuing the requirement for some independent training providers (ITPs) to provide updated in year financial information.
Not all ITPs are within scope. Those that are will be notified individually, in writing, by colleagues in the Post-16 Regions and FE Provider Oversight Directorate. ITPs within scope must complete and return to the Agency, a financial forecast template. Submission arrangements will be included in the individual notification.
The template and accompanying guidance is available on GOV.UK, and the deadline for submission for providers in scope is Friday 30 September 2022.
5. Information: auditors guidance and declaration statement for providers
In response to the subcontracting consultation, in July 2021 ESFA published a subcontracting standard which providers are required to comply with from 1 August 2022. The introduction of the standard requires a move away from the audit certification process. ESFA has now published a framework and guide for reporting accountants on assurance reviews of the subcontracting standard. This document sets out ESFA’s expectations in terms of the review’s engagement, approach, and reporting to ensure consistency across the sector.
In addition to the release of the framework for reporting accountants DfE have updated the subcontracting funding rules for ESFA funded post 16 funding, excluding apprenticeships. Changes are effective from 1 August 2022.