Achieving Compliance in Claiming Learning Support and Applying Functional Skills Exceptions
Getting Learning Support Right: Delivering effective support for the best outcomes for learners, and avoiding costly mistakes
FEES
AELP Member: £69.00 + VAT
Non-member: £119.00 + VAT
Overview
Learning Support is one of the most scrutinised areas of apprenticeship funding and a common focus of audit activity. This webinar will provide a practical overview of the funding rules and DfE expectations, helping providers ensure that Learning Support is both effective for apprentices and fully compliant.
The session will cover:
- Assessing and evidencing learning difficulties, disabilities and additional learning needs.
- Planning an appropriate and individualised programme of Learning Support.
- Recording and evidencing the delivery of support.
- Reviewing support arrangements and determining when continued support remains necessary and fundable.
- Common compliance risks, audit findings and examples of good practice.
We will also explore the new 2026 to 2027 Learning Support funding rules for apprenticeship units, including the implications for providers and the changes required to existing processes and controls.
In addition, the webinar will examine the flexibilities available for apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities in relation to English and maths requirements, helping providers understand when these can be applied and the evidence required to support them.
This is an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of DfE expectations, benchmark your current arrangements against best practice, identify potential compliance risks, and ask questions in an interactive forum.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the DfE's expectations for identifying apprentices who require Learning Support and implementing appropriate reasonable adjustments.
- Evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of their organisation's screening, assessment and needs identification processes.
- Plan, deliver and evidence Learning Support that is relevant, individualised and compliant with apprenticeship funding rules.
- Review and determine whether Learning Support remains necessary, appropriate and fundable throughout an apprentice's programme.
- Identify common compliance risks and implement controls that support accurate and auditable Learning Support funding claims.
- Apply best practice to support inclusion, equality, diversity and accessibility whilst meeting funding rule requirements.
- Gain confidence that Learning Support funding is being claimed appropriately and supported by robust evidence.
- Understand the learning support funding claim process for apprenticeship units.
- Understand the funding rule flexibilities available for apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities in relation to English and maths requirements.
- Confidently determine when it is appropriate for an apprentice to be required to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills rather than the standard English and maths achievement requirements, and understand the evidence needed to support this decision.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for organisations that deliver apprenticeships, adult skills fund and advanced learner loans provision to ensure they are maximising Learning Support opportunities while remaining fully compliant with DfE funding rules.
It will be particularly valuable for:
- Providers currently claiming Learning Support funding who want to strengthen their compliance and evidence base.
- Those who are responsible for identifying and supporting learners with learning difficulties or disabilities.
- Organisations that are not currently claiming Learning Support because of uncertainty around the funding rules, evidence requirements or audit risk.
- Current and prospective providers of Apprenticeship Units seeking to understand the new 2026 to 2027 Learning Support arrangements.
- Apprenticeship providers delivering English and maths who need to understand the funding rule flexibilities available for apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Recommended roles include:
- MIS and Funding Managers
- Data and Compliance Teams
- Quality and Audit Staff
- Learning Support Managers and Specialists
- SEND Leads
- Functional Skills Managers and Curriculum Leads
- Apprenticeship Delivery Managers
- Operations Managers and Directors
- Heads of Apprenticeships
- Senior Leaders with responsibility for funding compliance and learner support
Whether your focus is compliance, funding, learner support or operational delivery, this webinar will help you develop confidence in applying the rules, evidencing support effectively and making robust Learning Support funding claims.
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.
Secure your place!
Fees
Member Rate £69.00 + VAT
Non Member Rate £119.00 + VAT
To pay via credit card, please contact our Accounts Team at:
Phone: 0117 947 2095
Email: [email protected]
If you are unable to pay via credit card, we will automatically raise an invoice and send it to you. Once your invoice has been paid, you will receive the confirmation email containing the Zoom joining link.
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
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