2011/12 OLDC system update and impact on September payment for the 2011/12 contract year.

1. Why has the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system for 2011/12 been delayed?
2. What does this mean for users of OLDC?
3. What do POL providers do with their data?
4. Why is the Agency paying on profile?
5. Does this affect every provider?
6. How will we know if this affects us?
7. How much is being paid each month?
8. Is this based on the whole of the allocation (contract value)?
9. Will the payment cover Learning Support and Additional Learning Support?
10. When is it being paid?
11. Is this a different date to the normal payment date?
12. Does the profile payment include Job Outcome Incentive Payment funding?
13. I will earn more in the R01 ILR return than the profile payment, can I invoice the Agency for the difference?
14. Will I still have to submit data?
15. Will I still have to complete the TPS?
16. Do I still put Job OIP on the TPS?
17. If I am paid too much when will we have to pay this back?
18. Will I be able to work out how much I am actually earning?
19. Will the Agency still provide us with a Provider Funding Report (PFR)?
20. Will I have to replicate this process to sub-contractors?
21. Is it definite that the profile payment will only be for the first return of 2011/12 (R01)?
22. Will 2010/11 payments be affected?
23. I want to know more. Who do I speak to?

1. Why has the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system for 2011/12 been delayed?

The release of OLDC for 2011/12 has been delayed due to issues arising during development as well as the delayed release of the final version of LIS V19.01. To allow for robust testing of the final code the decision has been taken not to shorten the testing window.

Users will continue to be able to use the portal for the submission of 2010/11 data until the Data Service releases the system for 2011/12. Providers should make use of this extended window before the system is upgraded to submit P13 files in particular.

Provider Online users should keep paper records of their new starts, to be recorded on the ILR form (http://www.theia.org.uk/ilr/ilrdocuments/201112_guidance.htm) (post 01 August) until the 2011/12 system is released.

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4. Why is the Agency paying on profile?

The Agency is making a profile payment in September (for August Delivery) due to the delay in the release of OLDC for 2011/12 to ensure all providers are paid. See Q1 .

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5. Does this affect every provider?

The interim measure does not affect those providers who are usually paid on profile for their Adult Skills budget, such as colleges, who will continue to be paid as normal. However, colleges maybe affected if they deliver other budget lines e.g. 16-18 Apprenticeships. See Q6 .

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6. How will we know if this affects us?

If you have a 2011/12 Skills Funding Agency contract for 16-18 Apprenticeships, Joint Investment Programme (JIP) or European Social Funding (ESF) or are usually paid on actuals for 19+ Adult Skills Provision (ASB) you will be affected.

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7. How much is being paid each month?

The value of the total payment will be calculated based on your Maximum Contract Value (MCV) for 2011/12. The amount will be calculated by each separate funding stream.

For 19+ Adult Skills Provision (ASB) and 16-18 Apprenticeships the payment made will be 8% of annual MCV for each programme.

For the Joint Investment Programme (JIP) the payment will be based on the August performance management profile included in your contract.

European Social Funding (ESF) providers will be paid based on the agreed expected delivery profile for August 2011.

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8. Is this based on the whole of the allocation (contract value)?

The payment is based on initial contract values communicated in July and will NOT include the recently announced additional money for either 19+ Apprenticeships or 16-18 Apprenticeships.

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9. Will the payment cover Learning Support and Additional Learning Support?

Yes. The profile payment for Apprenticeships (16-18 and 19+) and other Workplace Learning will include Additional Learning Support and Learner Support.

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10. When is it being paid?

Payments will be made via BACS on 13 September.

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11. Is this a different date to the normal payment date?

No. The payment date will remain the same as originally planned.

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12. Does the profile payment include Job Outcome Incentive Payment funding?

Yes. See Q15 and Q16 .

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13. I will earn more in the R01 ILR return than the profile payment, can I invoice the Agency for the difference?

No. Any differences will be reconciled when the system becomes available and a balancing payment will be made if applicable.

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14. Will I still have to submit data?

Yes, when OLDC is available again. It is expected by month 3 (October) at the latest, that the testing of OLDC will have been finished and any issues resolved. However, the Agency will work to bring this forward if possible.

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15. Will I still have to complete the TPS?

Providers will need to complete the TPS as soon as they are able to do so with all relevant details.

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16. Do I still put Job OIP on the TPS?

If you receive the Job outcome incentive payments you will not need to complete the TPS in month 1 to receive the payment but you will need to retrospectively claim on the TPS once the system is available.

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17. If I am paid too much when will we have to pay this back?

The intention is to reconcile the profile payments against the actual earned values as soon as payment systems are back to normal. If this will cause any cash flow issue please speak to your Account Team as soon as possible. See Q13.

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18. Will I be able to work out how much I am actually earning?

Yes. The Learner Information Suite (LIS) software will be available which will contain a copy of the funding calculation and various reports. If you need any assistance with this please contact the Data Service help desk on 0870 267 0001.

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19. Will the Agency still provide us with a Provider Funding Report (PFR)?

A Provider Funding Report (PFR) will not be available until the roll-out of OLDC is confirmed and completed by the Agency.

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20. Will I have to replicate this process to sub-contractors?

This is a commercial decision to be taken by the lead provider.

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21. Is it definite that the profile payment will only be for the first return of 2011/12 (R01)?

It is expected that payments for ILR returns R01 and R02 will be made based on forecast allocations. The Agency will write to you in September to confirm this is the case.

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22. Will 2010/11 payments be affected?

No. See Q2.

For queries on OLDC please contact the Service Desk on 0870 2670001 or email servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk

For any additional queries on the interim payment arrangements please contact your Account Team at the Skills Funding Agency in the first instance.

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