If you are an apprenticeship provider, you can claim Learning Support Funding (LSF) to help you cover the additional costs of supporting learners who have learning difficulties or disabilities including those previously undiagnosed.
Many providers however lack confidence to claim this funding and so miss out on the resource to help cover the costs of the additional support you put in place for learners.
It’s available for all apprenticeship standards, regardless of the age or level of the learner. You can claim £150 per month per learner, or more if you can demonstrate that the learner needs more intensive support. The funding is used for the reasonable adjustments you make to the apprenticeship journey include training and assessment.
So what steps can you follow? Here are the main ones – but we’d also recommend joining our in-depth LSF webinar (and templates) so you can claim this funding with confidence.
To access learning support funding, you need to follow these steps:
- Identify the learners who need learning support and assess their needs. You can use a range of tools and methods to do this, such as initial assessments, diagnostic tests, interviews or observations.
- Plan and deliver the learning support that meets the needs of each learner. You can use a variety of approaches and resources to provide learning support, such as one-to-one sessions, group work, online courses, assistive technology or specialist equipment. Adjustments can take place for all types of activity within the apprenticeship including end-point assessment.
- Record and evidence the learning support that you provide. You need to keep a record of the learner’s needs, the support plan, the delivery and the outcomes. You will need to review the continuing need for support on a regular basis, but essentially if you have clear identification of need, a good plan and that plan is being implemented then you are able to claim.
- Claim the learning support funding through the ILR. You also need to keep all the records and evidence for audit purposes.
Some examples of what learning support funding can cover are:
- Extra tuition or coaching for learners who have a learning difficulty or disability
- Adapted materials or resources for learners
- Specialist software or hardware for learners
- The costs of putting in place examination or assessment adjustments
- Use of third parties
Learning support funding can make a big difference to the success and well-being of your learners. It can help them overcome barriers to learning, achieve their potential and complete their apprenticeship. It also gives you, as the provider, the resource to fully support the individual needs of each learner.
Claiming apprenticeship learning support funding with confidence
The webinar is delivered by David Lockhart-Hawkins and covers:
- The 22/23 Funding Rules for learning support (and 23/24 updates)
- Identifying barriers to learning
- Needs Assessment
- Support Planning
- Support Review
- Funding claim controls
- Compliance management
- Best Practice