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Provider support manual:

Section 16 Further information

Further information

There is a reference page at the end of this manual with the related hyperlinks to the documents and web pages that are referred to throughout this site. Each item contains a hyperlink to the relevant webpage or document.

Support available

There are several sources of support available to you including the ESFA service desk and the get help with Education and Skills Funding Agency services forum: see below for details

Service desk

You can contact the service desk at:

The team can support you with a range of queries, including queries about:

  • The FIS and the ILR Learner Entry tool

  • Data collection processes and reports, including the Provider Funding Report (PFR)

  • Achievement rates and minimum standards/minimum levels of performance reports

  • National and official FE statistics, including the Statistical First Release (SFR) on post-16 education

  • Access to the online service, including permissions, super users and passwords

  • Services on the online service, including data collections and searching for learning aims

  • ILR data

  • Fundability and validity of qualifications for post-16 education and training

The service desk is open:

  • Monday to Thursday - 08:30 to 17:00

  • Friday - 08:30 to 16:00

  • Christmas Eve - 08:30 to 13:00

Please note the service desk is open until 18:00 on ILR return days.

Get help with Education and Skills Funding Agency Services

Get help with Education and Skills Funding Agency services is a help centre hosted by ESFA. You can search help articles or discussions between training providers about further education and skills topics, for self-serve support. By registering as a communities member, you will be able to post questions, comments or subscribe to posts.

If you have any questions about the help centre, please email customer.experience@education.gov.uk