Money – The Lubricant Of The QCF System

Written and presented by Nick Linford

11th May 2011Reading

Level

1-12

Award13-36

Cert37+

Diploma

E

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Credits bands (ish)

Full Level 2 = Cert and Diploma

Full Level 3 = DiplomaCurrently, not always and only post-19

Unit

Credit

Credit

Unit

Credit

Credit

QCF qualification, such as an Award

Each credit represents 10 hours of learning time (not same as guided learning hours)

Summary of the Framework

Foundation Learning Curriculum

Demand Led Funding formula

Elements in the demand-led funding formula:

> Programme Weighting Factor (PWF)

QCF qualifications are funded using the DLF funding formula, which is an enrolment based funding methodologyTherefore, every enrolment has an individual value

> Standard Learner Number (SLN)

> Disadvantage Uplift (DU)*

> National Funding Rate (NFR)

> Short Programme Modifier (SCM)**

Formula elements multiplied togetherequals maximumfunding for the enrolment

* Not included for Train to Gain

> Area Cost Uplift (ACU)

** Not included for ER (Apprenticeships or Train to Gain)

> Success Factor (SF)**

Learning Aim Databasehttp://providers.lsc.gov.uk/LAD/

50090768

SLNs and PWFs on the LAD

A 1

B 1.12

C 1.3

D 1.6

E 1.72

F 1.4

G 1.92

H 1.2

J 1.25

K 1.5

L 1.15

Programme Weighting Factors

SLN GLH / 450 = SLN

Minimum attendance

Planned duration (calendar days) Minimum attendance

24 weeks or more 6 weeks

2 to 24 weeks 2 weeks

Less than 2 weeks Once

This is commonly referred to as the ‘definition of a start’If an LR or ER withdrawal is before the minimum attendance period no funding is generated and the enrolment is not counted as a start

Co-funding for 19+50% of the unweighted funding (LR) or weighted funding (ER)

Claiming demand-led fundingProviders submit Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data online for funding and performance purposes

Provider paid

BACS payment on

10th working day

ILR ER or LRe.g. LR01

Monthly is on 4th working day

OLDC portal& SAMS

Data collection and payment

systems

Monthly for ER (01-13) and less frequently for LR (01-05)

Other related software and databases:> Learner Information Suite (LIS)> Learning Aims Database (LAD)> Data Self-assessment Toolkit (DSAT)

Register of Regulated Qualificationshttp://register.ofqual.gov.uk/

Beware that when searching by learning aims you may need the forward slashes, e.g. 500/9076/8

This website includes individual QCF unit details, as well in mandatory and options information like:“To achieve this qualification all mandatory generic units must be achieved, all mandatory technical units must be achieved and a minimum of 12 credits from the optional group. A total of 54 credits are required to achieve this qualification.”

Formally the National Database of Accredited Quals (NDAQ)

Being on the Register does not mean it is fundable

16-18 qualification fundability

“Further to the announcement in the YPLA e-bulletin Issue 11 (10-11-10) the Department for Education has now approved around 1500 qualifications under Section 96; these have been added to the Section 96 website. ” http://www.education.gov.uk/section96/

The 16-18 qual advisory committee (JACQA) has been ‘dissolved’:

For a spreadsheet of recently approved or amended Section 96 qualifications visit http://jacqa.ypla.gov.uk/

“New accredited vocational qualifications for use post 16 will in general be approved.”

Following Wolf Review of 14-19 Vocational Education this likely to change. Rumour is the DfE will publish their response on Friday.

19+ qualification fundability

ALR conditional = 162 TtG conditional = 61

QCF qualifications confirmed spreadsheet, last updated 20/04/11

ALR confirmed = 3,554 TtG confirmed = 1,739

The SFA QCF funding spreadsheets*

Example information for a confirmed qualification:

Example information for a conditional qualification:

* Apprenticeships dealt with separately as part of mandatory Frameworks

Funding ratesQCF funding rates are in the main based on recommended GLH or where available, historical information and can change year on yearRates are recorded on the LAD, and can differ between age and funding stream. They can also be very different from the NQF qualification they replace

If a qualification is not on the LAD, funding cannot be claimed (regardless of what anyone or a spreadsheet tells you!

QCF Diploma in Playwork (50090471)

As you can see the funding rates (SLN and SLN GLH) differ, as do the programme weightings

Fundability and rate implications~ Most vocational NQF quals no longer fundable (or soon to be

‘switched-off’)

~ Some quals will be fundable, but maybe for only some learners

~ Providers should keep checking the spreadsheet and the LAD

~ Rates can change year on year

~ Curriculum planning which takes these things into account will be

more

critical than ever

~ Some quals will be fundable, but maybe for only some funding

streams

~ The QCF funding rates can be very different from previous quals

So

~ And watch out for the funding iceberg (A51a) – more on this later

The QCF funding icebergsRecognition of prior learning (RPL), formerly referred to as the accreditation of prior experience and learning (APEL):“Where 50% or more of the assessment for a programme is achieved though RPL a reduction in proportion to half the value of the assessment achieved through RPL should be made”

Exemption:“funding cannot be claimed for any part of a programme achievedthrough exemption; therefore a proportionate reduction will be expected”

Rules of Combination and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT):Rules of Combination allow for the transfer of credit from a previousepisode of learning. “Where a qualification has been partially achievedthrough credit transfer a reduction in funding is required”In these cases (which are likely to increase) ILR field A51a must be used to reduced funding and “ensure that double funding is not recorded”

Level 1 Dip in Bricklaying (5004056X) SLN GLH 470 (47 Credits)

With the ConstructionSkills QCF diplomas “the lower level courses are also embedded within the higher level courses”

Level 2 Dip in Bricklaying (50040558) SLN GLH 900 (90 Credits)

For the Level 2, what discount would be applied within ILR field A51a?

Assume a 16-18 learner progresses from the Level 1 to the Level 2

Now calculate the unweighted Level 2 funding for this 16-18 learner (national base rate = £2,920)

900 / 450 x £2,920 x 0.48 = £2,803But really:

430 / 450 x £2,920 = £2,790Quick answer: Too complex?

Practical example for use of A51a“The value in A51a should be calculated using remaining planned creditTo achieve the learning aim divided by the credit value of the leaning aim recorded on the LAD”

Lsect summer events across England

Find out more and book via www.lsect.com

~ Sub-contracting Funding Summit

~ Summer College Data Conference

~ Apprenticeship Funding Practiclass

~ Intro to funding for curriculum staff

~ Year-end data audit essentials

~ ESOL Funding Practiclass

Thank you

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