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Top-up funding for new ESOL qualifications

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08 October 2014

NATECLA welcomes the new ESOL funding arrangements announced on Tuesday 7th October 2014 which will see top-up funding being made available for longer ESOL programmes using the QCF qualifications. 

Information from the Skills Funding Agency Website (7 October 2014)

In the funding year 2014 to 2015, the Agency will fund new QCF ESOL in line with single rates as set out in the funding matrix. In addition to these rates, colleges and training organisations (providers) offering these new qualifications can claim additional funding using the ‘non-regulated’ funding mechanism to take account of any shortfall in funding resulting from the rates matrix. This means that for learners undertaking their QCF ESOL qualification, where single rates do not provide enough funding to cover costs, the provider can add to this using the ‘non-regulated’ mechanism.

NATECLA have issued the following statement

NATECLA welcomes the funding guidance for 14-15 allowing the use of non regulated ‘top up’ for learners who need more time (and therefore funding) to achieve qualifications than the matrix allows. We also welcome the positive dialogue that has taken place between policy makers, providers and funders to reach this position. However we note that a long term rather than a short term fix for ESOL is needed to maintain stability and allow providers to cater for the diverse needs of their communities. Therefore NATECLA seeks assurances that this guidance will be
maintained into 15-16 and beyond.



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