Glossary
Learning support
Funding for the additional support a learner needs to take part in and complete their programme.
In full
Learning support pays for the additional help a learner needs because of a learning difficulty or disability, such as a support worker, specialist equipment or adapted materials.
Every claim has to be backed by a chain: the need was assessed, the support was provided, it cost what is claimed, and the ILR records it correctly. A gap anywhere in that chain puts the claim at risk.
The mechanism differs between streams, so check the rules for the stream and year before assuming how a claim works.
The rules behind this
Learning support funding requires a documented chain: an assessed need, the support actually provided, the cost of providing it, and the claim made. A claim without the chain is not defensible.
Not to be confused with
Learning support pays for additional support within a programme. High needs funding is a separate arrangement for students with significant needs, built from place funding and a local authority top-up.
Where this comes up
diagnostic
Learning support is claimed but the evidence chain is incomplete
A learning support claim has been made, but one of the links in the chain is missing: the assessment of need, the record of support actually delivered, the cost of delivering it, or the recording that triggers the claim.
diagnostic
Learning support funding
Learning support funding. Review areas: Learning support.
diagnostic
Learning Support Funding must not be returned for this Funding model
The FAM type of Learning Support Funding must not be returned for 16-19 and Non-funded aims
diagnostic
Learning support funding must only be recorded on a programme aim or English/maths aim for apprenticeship funded programmes
If the learning aim is part of an apprenticeship funded programme, component aim, then Learning support funding must only be returned on a programme aim or an English or maths component aim
diagnostic
The learning aim must not have more than one Learning Support Funding record at the same time
A learning aim must not have Learning Delivery FAM records with overlapping dates of certain Learning Delivery FAM types (Learning Support Funding (LSF) or Advanced Learner Loans Bursary (ALB)). Each type is treated separately.
diagnostic
The Learning support cost field must only be returned for High Needs Students
If the Learning support cost is returned, the High Needs Student indicator must be returned
Sources
These are the official documents this page rests on. Where a figure, a deadline or an exact rule matters, the document is the authority and this page is the explanation.
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