Money – The Lubricant Of The QCF System
11th May 2011
Reading
Written and presented by Nick Linford
Summary of the Framework
QCF qualification, such as an Award
8
7
6
Level
5
Unit
Unit
Credit
Credit
Credit
Credit
4
3
Full Level 3 = Diploma
Full Level 2 = Cert and Diploma
2
1
Currently,
not always
and only
post-19
Foundation Learning Curriculum
E
Award
Cert
1-12
13-36
Diploma
37+
Credits bands (ish)
Each credit represents 10 hours of
learning time (not same as guided
learning hours)
Demand Led Funding formula
QCF qualifications are funded using the DLF funding formula,
which is an enrolment based funding methodology
Therefore, every enrolment has an individual value
Elements in the demand-led funding formula:
> Standard Learner Number (SLN)
> National Funding Rate (NFR)
> Programme Weighting Factor (PWF)
> Disadvantage Uplift (DU)*
> Short Programme Modifier (SCM)**
> Area Cost Uplift (ACU)
Formula elements
multiplied together
equals maximum
funding for the
enrolment
> Success Factor (SF)**
* Not included for Train to Gain
** Not included for ER (Apprenticeships or Train to Gain)
Learning Aim Database
http://providers.lsc.gov.uk/LAD/
50090768
SLNs and PWFs on the LAD
SLN GLH / 450 = SLN
Programme
Weighting Factors
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
Minimum attendance
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
Planned duration (calendar days)
Minimum attendance
24 weeks or more
6 weeks
2 to 24 weeks
2 weeks
Less than 2 weeks
Once
Co-funding for 19+
50% of the unweighted funding (LR) or weighted funding (ER)
Claiming demand-led funding
Providers submit Individualised Learner Record
(ILR) data online for funding and performance purposes
Monthly for ER (01-13) and less frequently for LR (01-05)
ILR ER or LR
e.g. LR01
Monthly is on 4th
working day
OLDC portal
& SAMS
Data collection and
payment systems
Other related software and databases:
> Learner Information Suite (LIS)
> Learning Aims Database (LAD)
> Data Self-assessment Toolkit (DSAT)
Provider
paid
BACS payment on
10th working day
Register of Regulated Qualifications
http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/
Formally the National Database of Accredited Quals (NDAQ)
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.”
Being on the Register does not mean it is fundable
16-18 qualification fundability
The 16-18 qual advisory committee (JACQA) has been ‘dissolved’:
“Further to the announcement in the YPLA e-bulletin Issue 11 (10-1110) 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/
“New accredited vocational qualifications for use post 16 will
in general be approved.”
For a spreadsheet of recently approved or amended Section 96
qualifications visit http://jacqa.ypla.gov.uk/
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
The SFA QCF funding spreadsheets*
QCF qualifications confirmed spreadsheet, last updated 20/04/11
ALR confirmed = 3,554
TtG confirmed = 1,739
Example information for a confirmed qualification:
ALR conditional = 162
TtG conditional = 61
Example information for a conditional qualification:
* Apprenticeships dealt with separately as part of mandatory Frameworks
Funding rates
QCF funding rates are in the main based on recommended GLH or
where available, historical information and can change year on year
Rates 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
QCF Diploma in Playwork
(50090471)
As you can see the funding rates
(SLN and SLN GLH) differ, as do
the programme weightings
If a qualification is not on the
LAD, funding cannot be claimed
(regardless of what anyone or a
spreadsheet tells you!
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
~ Some quals will be fundable, but maybe for only some funding streams
~ Rates can change year on year
~ The QCF funding rates can be very different from previous quals
So
~ Providers should keep checking the spreadsheet and the LAD
~ Curriculum planning which takes these things into account will be more
critical than ever
~ And watch out for the funding iceberg (A51a) – more on this later
The QCF funding icebergs
Recognition 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 achieved
through 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 previous
episode of learning. “Where a qualification has been partially achieved
through 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”
Practical example for use of A51a
“The value in A51a should be calculated using remaining planned credit
To achieve the learning aim divided by the credit value of the leaning
aim recorded on the LAD”
With the ConstructionSkills QCF diplomas “the lower level courses are
also embedded within the higher level courses”
Level 1 Dip in Bricklaying (5004056X)
SLN GLH 470 (47 Credits)
Level 2 Dip in Bricklaying (50040558)
SLN GLH 900 (90 Credits)
Assume a 16-18 learner progresses from the Level 1 to the Level 2
For the Level 2, what discount would be applied within ILR field A51a?
Now calculate the unweighted Level 2 funding for this
16-18 learner (national base rate = £2,920)
Quick answer:
But really:
430 / 450 x £2,920 = £2,790
900 / 450 x £2,920 x 0.48 = £2,803
Too
complex?
Lsect summer events across England
~ 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
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