Louise Tomkins
Last activity
Member since
Votes
6
Subscriptions
14
Replies
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Steve, We get these kind of queries all of the time and after checking with the ESFA (based o ntheir fairly vague response) we are firm that unless the qualification specifically states English or Maths then we do not accept them as exemptions. We deliver accountancy and this is most definitely not Maths equivalent, we would still expect them to provide alternative evidence or study Functional Skills. As Ruth said, you could check with the EPAO but I'm not sure they would know any more than you do. Hope this helps Louise
Hi Steve, We get these kind of queries all of the time and after checking with the ESFA (based o ntheir fairly vague response) we are firm that unless the qualification specifically states English...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Yes Ben James, ours is showing the error too, ours is sitting at 2-3% and we are showing requires improvement, but this is way below the 15% threshold and definitely nowhere near the 250 number. I suspect there is a definite bug in the system.
Yes Ben James, ours is showing the error too, ours is sitting at 2-3% and we are showing requires improvement, but this is way below the 15% threshold and definitely nowhere near the 250 number. I ...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Sharon, We have this type of error periodically on DAS and the ESFA have confirmed it is a known error. If you are sure that your new employer is live on DAS and you are receiving the funding expected then you can ignore the error/mis-match. However, looking at your screenshot, it suggests your ILR contains the full value and not the revised amount, so you might want to check this. Not sure if it helps but this is a screen shot of one of my current errors, this is trying to match the ILR record for the new employer, with the DAS account for the old employer, but as you can see its trying to compare differing start dates and values, I am receiving the funds so I simply ignore the error as instructed, whereas yours has the same start date on both, which seems to suggest you may have an error in your TNP in the ILR. [image] I hope this helps Louise
Hi Sharon, We have this type of error periodically on DAS and the ESFA have confirmed it is a known error. If you are sure that your new employer is live on DAS and you are receiving the funding ex...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Lisa Margach, It depends when you want to be paid for your completion, as soon as the apprentice has fully completed EPA you are entitled to the funding for the completion payment, so we add the fail outcome and claim the funding, then update the results to update QAR stats once achieved. You need to be careful if you wait for resits, depending on how long you have to wait for the resit and then results, if this is approaching the end of the funding year, waiting might mean you lose your completion payment as the achievement date is supposed to be confirming completion of the End Point Assessment, for us, we know the deadlines for our apprentices to complete but we use the results date as the achievement date as this is our confirmation that they completed all elements of EPA. It really is how you want to work it, I originally waited for resits but I found this more messy for us, so we have a strict process of claiming all funding when first full EPA attempt is confirmed. I doubt you will get anything specific from the ESFA. Hope this helps Louise
Hi Lisa Margach, It depends when you want to be paid for your completion, as soon as the apprentice has fully completed EPA you are entitled to the funding for the completion payment, so we add the...
Louise Tomkins commented,
I do the same as Steve, as soon as someone has fully attempted EPA, I claim the completion with either a pass or a fail, outcome 1 or 3, I don't do anything before that as its only 6-8 weeks between last day in learning and EPA results. If they subsequently re-sit, which most of ours do 3 months later, I then wait for those results and if they pass, I update the outcome to a 1, if they fail again, I leave the codes as they are. Hope this helps
I do the same as Steve, as soon as someone has fully attempted EPA, I claim the completion with either a pass or a fail, outcome 1 or 3, I don't do anything before that as its only 6-8 weeks betwee...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Lyn Joyce, I am in a similar situation, I have tried a number of times to use PICSWeb but some reports simply don't work for us. Whilst PICS desktop adhoc is still available I continue to use it but it is being turned off before the end of the month. I have been spending this week systematically going through my adhoc reports one by one and making sure I can replicate them (field by field and line by line) in PICSWeb, if I can't then Pellcomp are getting an email in relation to each of my reports letting them know what is missing, what doesn't work etc. so they can rectify it and make the options available before they turn off Adhoc. I would recommend if you still have adhoc, use that to get the data you want so it doesn't stop you in your tracks and then drop them a line to highlight the options that are missing from PICSWeb in order for you to be able to swap over to the new platform, this should mean you get the data you want when you need it but also get them working on fixing it in PICSWeb for next time. Hope this helps Louise
Hi Lyn Joyce, I am in a similar situation, I have tried a number of times to use PICSWeb but some reports simply don't work for us. Whilst PICS desktop adhoc is still available I continue to use it...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Wayne, When you change employer you have the option to amend the dates in line with the new TNP I believe, I am sure we have done this to reprofile funding. Otherwise we would consider if a break in learning was an option, if there was a period of time (min 4 weeks) where no learning was taking place or 20% hours logged, then I would be tempted to implement a break if the apprentice and employer agrees, that will allow you to reprofile the funding and amend the planned end date upon return. If neither of these work, we would go with your second option of revising the commitment statement with a more appropriate plan and knowing that this will run beyond the funding planned end date, but we try not to do this if another option to reprofile is available. Hope this helps Louise
Hi Wayne, When you change employer you have the option to amend the dates in line with the new TNP I believe, I am sure we have done this to reprofile funding. Otherwise we would consider if a brea...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Thanks Paul, I can confirm mine is now updated. Many thanks Louise
Thanks Paul, I can confirm mine is now updated. Many thanks Louise
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Margaret Foster, I sent a query to the ESFA this morning and got a response that they are having technical difficulties releasing the QAR P14, they will apparently update when this is resolved. Hope this helps Louise
Hi Margaret Foster, I sent a query to the ESFA this morning and got a response that they are having technical difficulties releasing the QAR P14, they will apparently update when this is resolved. ...
Louise Tomkins commented,
Hi Linnea Clarke, These don't seem like technical issues and I am not sure the helpdesk will be able to assist, they appear to be issues you need to resolve directly with the employer. For example if the employer has stopped the apprentice, ask them directly to update/remove the stop to allow you to complete and access the remainder of the funding. When an apprentice moves employer, you need to get the previous employer to stop the record on the date they left employment and then you need the new employer to send you a cohort from their account for you to access the remainder of the funding, you won't be able to update the cohort for the new employer with the apprentice's details until the prior employer has stopped it on their side. The Apprenticeship Service is a nightmare with so much dependant on employers but the only way to resolve most of the issues is to have strong relationships with your employers, as it is them who in most cases will need to action things on their end to help you resolve some of these issues on your side, if we are struggling we usually do a screen share with an employer to talk them through it. Also, I'm sure you are aware, but if you are new to the apprenticeship service their YouTube channel is fairly good (search esfagovuk on YouTube). I hope this helps Louise
Hi Linnea Clarke, These don't seem like technical issues and I am not sure the helpdesk will be able to assist, they appear to be issues you need to resolve directly with the employer. For example ...