New ESFA 24/25 Funding Rules: Why Every Apprenticeship Provider Needs to Prepare Now

The release of the proposed ESFA 24/25 funding rules has brought welcomed changes for apprenticeship providers. At FE Tech, we recognise the importance of meeting the new criteria to remain compliant with the ESFA – we are committed to supporting apprenticeship providers to be ready up to and throughout these changes.

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What are the Proposed Four Key Changes – and their Impact?

1. Mandatory Cognitive and Learning Assessments

The projected 2024/25 rules make it clear that ‘robust’ screening for all apprentices will be mandatory. This requires immediate action from providers to get a plan in place to implement comprehensive screening processes to ensure every apprentice's educational journey is tailored to their unique needs.

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2. Quarterly Reviews In, Monthly Out!

The quarterly review of ALS will replace monthly assessments, reducing the admin workload and enabling more focused support for apprentices.

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3. Screening at Any Point in the Apprenticeship

A significant change in the rules will allow screening of apprentices at any stage or their apprenticeship journey, not just at the beginning. This means if your apprentices have already started their course, they can still be screened. Plus, you could unlock ALS funding for a better support throughout the remainder of their studies.

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4. Maths and English Threshold Exemptions

Previously, only an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) was necessary to demonstrate eligibility for funding. But, a clinically sound cognitive assessment will also serve as evidence. This change not only adds flexibility but also allows individuals with special educational needs (SEN) to potentially be exempted from meeting the usual English and maths requirements. It means that if someone with SEN won't reach the required levels in English and/or maths despite support and reasonable adjustments, they could still access funding. This aims to personalise learning and ensure fair opportunities for skill development among all apprentices.

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The Urgency for Robust Screening

The 2024/25 Apprenticeship Funding Rules present an urgent call to action for all apprenticeship providers. The emphasis on mandatory cognitive and learning needs assessments highlights a shift towards a more inclusive and individualised apprenticeship model.

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Compliance with the new evidence requirements is not just about meeting standards; it's also about securing necessary funding to offer specialist support, especially when it comes to supporting apprentices with LDD.

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What Can Providers do NOW to get Ready for the Changes?

1. Review Your Current Screening Processes

Look into how you currently screen and support apprentices. Think about these points; Is your screening robust enough to meet Ofsted regulations? How do you provide sufficient evidence? How do you ensure that every apprentice undergoes a cognitive and learning needs assessment at any point in their studies?

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2. Educate Your Team

Ensure your staff understand the new proposed funding rules that are coming into play - and the importance of screening. If you or your team have any questions, FE Tech offers a free FAQ portal where anyone can ‘Ask Us Anything’. Simply drop your related queries here and we’ll answer them for you.

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3. Update Documentation and Practices

Align your evidencing and documentation practices with the new rules, specifically focusing on the reduced frequency of evidencing requirements and the nuances of the exemption process.

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4. Engage with Experts

Consider working with organisations and experts to refine your screening process, ensuring it is robust and compliant with the new proposed guidelines.

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Considerations and Support for Providers

If you’re concerned about getting your organisation ready for any of these changes, FE Tech can provide a reliable tool for screening that not only ensures compliance with Ofsted requirements but also helps tutors provide the necessary support and evidence to unlock ALS funding.

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By implementing comprehensive screening procedures now, providers can ensure they remain compliant and most importantly, offer a supportive learning environment that caters to the unique needs of every apprentice.

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How we can help!

FE Tech is committed to supporting providers up to and throughout these changes and is equipped with a highly recommended, reliable tool for thorough screening. If you want to know more about the screening tool, please register your interest below.

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Register your interest here quote ‘Screening’

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Have you got some extra questions?

We know changes like the ESFA Funding Rules can bring a lot of queries, so if you have any further questions you can ‘Ask Us Anything’ related in our FAQ portal here