London 16-19 manual

The 16-19 manual Opens in a new window has been prepared by the 14-19 Regional Planning Group on behalf of all London’s local authorities.  It sets out our more detailed thinking on the London arrangements, and will continue to be updated as more detailed planning takes place. 

In developing our plans, we remain committed to the principles which have informed our work to date:

• Making the learner central: and ensuring as much funding as possible goes to the front line. The new arrangements should further equity and inclusion for London’s young people.
• Provider-neutral commissioning: with commissioning choices made on the basis of effectiveness and responsiveness alone.
• Demand-led: commissioning choices will focus on learner and employer needs and ensure that they are engaged and consulted.
• Employment and skills:  new arrangements will make best use of data and be responsive to the London skills agenda so that (in conjunction with effective information advice and guidance (IAG)) they contribute to the employability of young people and meeting London’s business needs.
• Quality and curriculum: new arrangements must support a focus on improving the quality of provision and providing learners with a comprehensive curriculum offer and range of pathways to further qualifications.
• Local decision making: all 16-19 commissioning decisions should be taken within authorities local to the provision. Regional or other arrangements should be developed only in support of local decision-making and to provide a strategic context for decision-making.
• Transparency: the new arrangements must be straightforward for learners, providers, employers and local authorities, with clear structures for decision-making and funding flows.
• Reducing bureaucracy: the new arrangements should reduce bureaucracy for providers and local authorities.
• Collaboration: commissioning will facilitate partnership working and ensure provider strengths, specialisms, expertise and innovation are used to secure the greatest benefit for all learners.
• Continuity: there needs to be a smooth handover from LSC and providers will need clarity about the new arrangements sooner rather than later.