Achieving Compliance in Claiming Learning Support and Applying Functional Skills Exceptions - Sponsored by Cognassist
AELP Webinar
Facilitator: Rupert Crossland, Director of Audit and Compliance, Professional Assessment Limited (PAL)
Guest Speaker: Vicky Harold, Customer Success Education Lead, Cognassist
FREE for the sector to attend, as this webinar is kindly sponsored by Cognassist.
Overview
Many providers miss out on Learning Support funding—not because they aren’t eligible, but because they lack confidence in navigating the rules and evidence requirements.
This practical session will demystify the apprenticeship funding rules around Learning Support and Functional Skills exceptions, giving you the clarity and confidence needed to support your learners effectively and claim the funding you’re entitled to.
Led by compliance expert Rupert Crossland (PAL), this session will take you through everything from assessing learning difficulty to documenting support delivery and evidencing continued need. You’ll also get the latest on the new Functional Skills flexibility for apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Objectives
This webinar will help you:
- Understand how to put effective and compliant reasonable adjustments in place
- Assess the suitability of your screening and assessment methods
- Apply and evidence learning support in line with DfE expectations
- Avoid common pitfalls and confidently claim Learning Support funding
- Decide when Entry 3 Functional Skills may be appropriate under the latest guidance
With better understanding comes better access—for your learners and your organisation.
Facilitator
Rupert Crossland, Director of Audit and Compliance, Professional Assessment Limited (PAL)
Rupert joined PAL as Director of Audit and Compliance in January 2018 following a successful 4-year tenure as Head of Compliance at a large, national training provider. Prior to this, he was Head of Provider Financial Assurance with the (then) Skills Funding Agency and, formerly, the Learning and Skills Council. This enabled Rupert to gain 20 years of valuable experience and build a strong professional network. Rupert has built a reputation as somebody who has a robust but measured approach to funding compliance. His focus is supporting training providers to drive meaningful business improvements through their compliance activities.
Rupert currently sits on the board of directors at PAL and leads a team of compliance experts to deliver a high-quality service to providers.

Guest Speaker
Vicky Harold, Customer Success Education Lead, Cognassist
Vicky joined Cognassist in October 2023 as a Customer Success Manager, supporting clients with the implementation and utilisation of the Cognassist platform in educational settings. Before joining Cognassist, Vicky was the Head of Quality, Safeguarding, and Learning Support at an independent training provider. She ensured learners received high-quality education through policy writing and implementation, quality assurance, and managing additional learning support. Her team maintained compliance with funding rules and handled requests for reasonable adjustments in Functional Skills and End-Point Assessment (EPA). Having completed apprenticeships herself, Vicky is aware of their benefits and has dedicated her career to fostering positive learning environments. Passionate about making learning opportunities accessible to everyone, her role at Cognassist is a perfect fit.

Secure your place!
Fees
FREE for the sector to attend, as this webinar is kindly sponsored by Cognassist.
Please use a business email address when registering.
If you register but are unable to attend, we will send you a copy of the recording after the webinar has taken place.
Achieving Compliance in Claiming Learning Support and Applying Functional Skills Exceptions - Sponsored by Cognassist
AELP Webinar
