Scope
It is important to read this policy alongside the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) document 16 to 19 education: funding guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The document sets out the ESFA funding conditions for the provision to students who meet both the eligibility requirements in section 3 of the document and the following criteria taken:
- are aged 16 to 19, or
- are aged 19 to 24 and have either a Learning Difficulties Assessment (LDA) or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or
Advice on funding and eligibility of learners is to be sought from the Senior or Operations manager.
This policy covers all Young People on a learning programme with Learn Devon or an external provider supported by Learn Devon.
Learn Devon’s strategy outlines that we will prioritise government funding to support, groups and individuals who have found it difficult to participate in the past. This policy enables this statement to be extended to young people. Funding for Young People moved from funding per qualification to funding per learner (although all qualifications have to be listed as fundable) and the intention is that a programme of study will be developed with a typical young person at the outset. However, the role of Learn Devon is to work with young people who are not able to engage in a typical FE institution or equivalent and need assistance to engage and progress.
Aim
To engage with young people in Devon who are not in education, employment or training and to use the frameworks to design programmes to:
- engage
- fill a gap for a young person
- progress a young person from their starting point towards further learning or employment
National perspective: All young people leaving school need to be in education, employment or training.
Young People in full-time education, employment and training are classed as participating. It is less clear when a young person is studying part-time or working part-time as to whether they are classed as participating and this is decided by CSW in conjunction with Devon County Council (DCC).
580+ hours of study are full-time, and providers are funded an amount per learner depending on which block of annual hours they fall in.
Contact the DCC 0-25 SEND team if the individual has an EHCP
What this means to Learn Devon
Enquiries: The curriculum team, learning advisers and SENCo have a role in helping a young person access learning – this may be with Learn Devon or a referral to the young person’s existing or planned training provider or to and the skills and employment hubs where feasible if a young person is Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), see below. Enquiries will most likely be from those who have just missed getting their GCSE grade 4 in English or maths and those wanting to enrol on another of our courses. In any case, information and advice is to be offered to young people wanting to join these classes.
In exceptional circumstances young people may be able to access other qualification courses such as functional skills. These exceptional circumstances may include them being classified as care leavers, NEET, young parents. Any decision regarding whether a young person is suitable to join a course needs to be agreed by a Curriculum Officer (CO) and the SENCO, and in conjunction with the Operations Manager who confirm if funding is available.
What can a young person join (providing the criteria below are met):
GCSE English or maths
Functional skills
ESOL
Family Learning if the young person is a parent
Discrete provision e.g. tenancy training
Learn Devon tailored learning provision – other than Family Learning – is not funded for under 18s.
Young people seeking other qualifications should refer to the Devon County Council list of post-16 education providers Post-16 education – Education and Families
What to do if a young person is:
In full-time work and has not got English and maths at GCSE grade C /4 or above: The young person can enrol on a GCSE course with us free of charge.
In part-time work: as above for full-time work but checked by a Curriculum Officer (CO) and the SENCO, and in conjunction with the Operations Manager.
In full-time or part-time education and not achieved English and maths at GCSE grade C/4 or above (incl. apprenticeships): the young person will need to be referred back to their education provider as they are obliged, and funded, to ensure all students attain this.
In full-time education and achieved English and maths at GCSE grade C/4 or above: the young person is not entitled to further free education unless their full-time provider can provide.
In part-time education and achieved English and Maths at GCSE grade C/4 or above: the young person is entitled to further free education and should be referred back to their education provider for the provision of the additional subjects they wish to study. If the provider does not provide those subjects, then they can enrol on a qualification course with Learn Devon free of charge if the qualification is fundable for 16–18-year-olds. They would be entered on the ILR.
The team to liaise with CSW over this to ensure the learner does not exceed the full-time hours to ensure that there are enough hours left for Learn Devon to be able to claim the funding from the ESFA for the additional provision (CSW does not fund the course, they will know what the young person is committed to and what hours are left to make up to full-time participation). Contact the DCC 0-25 SEND team if the individual has an EHCP
An enrolment and payment (at the advertised fee) can be taken. They would be registered on EBS and entered on the ILR if the qualification is fundable for a 16–18-year-old. If the course is not accredited or accredited but not fundable for a 16–18-year-old, they would be entered onto EBS but not be entered on the ILR.
In this case it will not matter if the full-time hours are exceeded as this additional, paid for provision is not subsidised and does not count.
Not in education, employment or training (NEET): there is quite a lot of provision available for 16-18 NEETs as this is an important target group from the point of view of participation in learning. This is also a constantly changing provision.
DCC has, in the past, funded some NEETs projects of which CSW are aware. If you are receiving enquiries from young people, their families or partners / agencies, please refer them to CSW for information. CSW is commissioned by DCC to provide advice, guidance and support for 16–18-year-old NEETs and will have full knowledge of all the learning options available. They will assess the young person and put them in touch with appropriate provision that meets their needs. More information about Careers South West can be found on their website.
If a young person is referred by CSW then liaise with CSW over what would be appropriate provision. It maybe they are ready to embark on a recognised qualification fundable for 16–18-year-olds. Contact the DCC 0-25 SEND team if the individual has an EHCP
A young parent aged 16+: can enrol onto a non-accredited Family Learning course. If they wish to do an accredited course, then the process outlined above will need to be followed.
On the rare occasion that a young person enrols directly onto a course, they should be contacted by a Learning adviser and a discussion had signposting to other more suitable provision for them.
Learner support
On-programme:
Learning advisers (LAs) and the SENCo provide on-going communication / contact with identified learners as identified by the appropriate teaching and learning team member. This will include pastoral support where needed. LAs are required to inform CSW if a young person (aged 16 or 17) has dropped out of learning. This is so the young person can be contacted swiftly and offered support to help them re-engage.
Learners who are not entered on to the ILR do not have access to additional support funds. However, it is likely there will be very few learners participating in this way and should a learner be identified as having a learning support need the LA and SENCO to explore and consult with the Teaching and Learning Team Leader to see what support may be available.
Discretionary Bursary fund:
Learn Devon may be able to offer help to learners who face the greatest financial barriers to participation. This includes the costs of transport, meals, books and equipment. The fund is administered in accordance with Learn Devon 16-19 Discretionary Bursary Fund Policy and Procedures and managed by the Operations Team Leader. This fund is not available to learners who are not recorded on the ILR.
Safeguarding
Learn Devon’s Learn Devon Safeguarding and Prevent Duty Policy covers the following:
- DBS checks
- Safeguarding training
- Prevent Duty training
- Lone working risk assessment to be undertaken by staff to ensure the safety and safeguarding of staff, families and children / young people. Ideally, we would ensure two staff are always available (e.g exams)
- Young people taking part in courses provided by Learn Devon infilling into adult learning sessions should be noted on the risk assessment and suitable safeguarding strategies. put in place
- Invigilating and assessing Young People taking exams. An additional member of staff will also be present on the rare occasions a single child or young person is taking an exam.
Updated November 2024