Break in learning DURING EPA period

Do you think it's ok to put someone on a break during their EPA (between assessments), or after they have failed but intend to re-take?

No, as learning has ended and there's no funding to suspend

Would leaving them at 1-8 without any provable ongoing or upcoming EPA activity for some considerable time be questioned at audit or by Ofsted?

Would it be questioned? Maybe. But I suspect you'll retain evidence of conversations between yourself and the apprentice that you could use to substantiate the gap. If they come back and retake successfully, you can mark them as 2/1 and get your achievement payment. If they don't come back, I'd suggest you could mark them as 2/3 and still get your achievement payment, though that may be a matter for interpretation.. because it would kind of fall between the cracks of the definition of a completion;

An end point assessment that has resulted in a failed outcome can be classed as complete as long as the learner reaches the end of the end point assessment period, rather than withdrawing.

Their EPA was a failed outcome.. but they confirmed they were going to be re-sitting, so the EPA activities were incomplete at that point. If they then fail to complete that resit, they're withdrawing. Six of one and half a dozen of the other! 

Thanks Ben.

My thoughts had been going your way anyway (despite what my post might indicate), and that leaving them at 1-8 is enough. I am however, checking with ESFA.