Colleges and providers frequently asked questions and answers
What does the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and Personal Learning Record (PLR) mean for me? Providers and advisers will support the learner to access and interpret their QCF achievement data via the PLR, and will play a critical role in assigning and verifying learners' Unique Learner Numbers (ULNs). Learners currently have to opt out if they don’t wish to share their data. The PLR can be used to advise learners on their choices and options so that the college or provider can tailor their offering.
The Learning Records Service provides a suite of free products, tools and services to the whole of the education sector and enables a provider to assign ULNs to learners. Learners can complete units at a pace that suits them which should help improve retention rates.
Which QCF qualifications are approved for public funding? Qualifications that have been confirmed for funding are published on a fortnightly basis and are available on the
Qualifications and Credit Framework section (external link) of the Skills Funding Agency website.
What do I do if I have found a duplicate Unique Learner Number?A Data Challenge is part of the quality control processes and procedures for the Learning Records Service. It is important that providers help rectify the issue of duplication. It allows Learner Registration Bodies (LRBs) to identify a data issue with a learner’s ULN or Learning Event (qualification, achievement or learning participation) in their PLR.
- If you find a duplicated ULN and cannot resolve - it is a simple process to report the issue via a 'report a problem' button on the relevant screen. The data issue is reported as a Data Challenge to the LRS Customer Helpdesk. Information sent should include what the data issue is with as much detail as possible and what you believe is the required corrective action.
- For more information refer to the LRS User Guide
What information can I email to the helpdesk if I have a problem?We’d like to remind our users to be careful about the information they email to our LRS Customer Helpdesk. Do not email batch files or screenshots of learner information to the LRS Customer Helpdesk. Should you need help, please contact them and they will advise if they need you to send any information. If so, please read the
Data Encryption and Password Protection Guide (external link).
How can I send feedback about the LRS Organisation Portal?You can follow on Twitter - keep updated with news about the LRS Organisation Portal by following
@learningrecords (external link). We’d like to have your feedback about the LRS Organisation Portal – please email us at
lrssupport@learningrecordsservice.org.
What is the impact of learners switching between providers?
Within the qualification success rate, when a learner transfers from one provider to another part way through a qualification, they are counted only within the 'receiving' provider's success rates.
Further information on the QCF and a
comprehensive FAQ document (external link) is available.
