The Provider Data Self-Assessment Tool (PDSAT) is a software tool provided by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to help you analyse Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data and it’s an essential part of any provider’s compliance risk management.
Using the software isn’t mandatory, but the insights it provides can be a turning point in your data accuracy, funding accuracy, compliance with funding rules and being well-prepared for ESFA audits. This blog will pick up on some of the key uses of PDSAT data, how it’s beneficial and how it plays a key role in the ESFA’s assurance review process.
What is the PDSAT?
The PDSAT used to be a piece of downloadable software but is now an online website that you can run your return file through and it’s all about data quality and completeness.
It’s a tool for analysing learner and learning delivery data from the ILR. It interrogates data and produces reports of information as well as anomalies or queries, allowing action to correct your data and get your funding right.
The PDSAT is also a tool used by ESFA auditors that highlights data discrepancies, so using it is essential.
Some of the key data issues that can be identified include areas of:
- Learner start and end dates.
- Breaks in learning.
- Apprenticeship progression and achievement.
- Possible over-claims or under-claims of funding.
Regular use of the tool can improve your data quality, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and streamline the assurance review process.
How does the EFSA use it?
The ESFA uses PDSAT as part of its oversight and assurance processes. It is used at audit to populate their working papers and run the assurance review. It can create samples for audit alongside the big data reports.
If PDSAT reports reveal significant or repeated discrepancies, the ESFA may:
- Request corrective action from the provider.
- Initiate deeper investigations.
- Impose sanctions, such as suspending payments or, if issues are identified in audit, require repayment of overclaimed funds.
What are the benefits of using PDSAT?
PDSAT allows you to proactively address potential issues before an assurance review occurs, making sure you are well-prepared for audits and demonstrate a commitment to compliance and robust data management practices.
But it’s not all about ESFA. By routinely checking your data, you’re actively minimising errors over time and halting negative trends in their tracks. These regular insights can also help you refine your data collection and entry processes, improving overall data integrity and saving you time in the long run.
Using PDSAT also helps build confidence with stakeholders, ESFA included! It supports transparency by allowing providers to show that public funds are being spent correctly and that you take your funding responsibilities seriously.
Using the PDSAT isn’t mandatory, but with the wealth of benefits and customisable reporting features that come with this tool, you’ll certainly be missing out if you let it pass you by.
PDSAT Essentials for your Apprenticeship Provision
At first glance, the Provider Data Self-Assessment Tool can be a bit daunting. Knowing how to use it effectively is essential to check and validate your ILR data, claim the right funding and give you confidence when ESFA auditors come to call.
That’s why we’re hosting this new 2-hour workshop to help you get a good grasp of PDSATs. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The key components of PDSAT reporting and functionality (including annotations)
- How to integrate your data to flag risks and improve data integrity
- The actions you can take to tackle data that is showing potential anomalies
- The role of PDSAT in the ESFA’s assurance review (audit)
- How to explain and use the tool within your organisation
Join the upcoming session to hear from our expert PDSAT practitioner, David Lockhart-Hawkins, and get the tools to interrogate your data effectively and avoid funding errors.
Take a look at the event details, and book your place here.