Apprenticeship funding and compliance is complex and high stakes.
As an apprenticeship provider, you need to set the right culture, processes and mitigate risks. But compliance also sits across all those involved in training, curriculum design, quality assurance, employer engagement and administration. An organisation-wide approach is critical if you are to safeguard your funding.
That’s where we come in…
Drawing on our work with over 1,800 apprenticeship providers, SDN Mesma Group can help you:
- Establish a robust compliance model in your organisation
- Meet funding expectations and accountability criteria
- Review your data to avoid over / under claiming funding
- Implement actions from audits
- Keep on top of funding rule changes and the actions you need to take
- Train all apprenticeship staff to understand their compliance responsibilities
- Support quality assurance, improvement and growth
Access support from the best in the business
Trusted
Our team is trusted for impartial support, deep expertise and strong skills. We bring together sector leading specialists to ensure you are working with the very best.
Experienced
We draw on our experience working with hundreds of providers, employers and government teams, and with thousands of leaders and practitioners.
Practical
Our focus is on helping you to take action. We share the latest sector knowledge, clarity and practical solutions – so you can make great progress that with lasting impact.
Meet David Lockhart-Hawkins, SDN Mesma Group’s compliance specialist and an industry leader in funding and apprenticeships. David leads our work on funding and compliance and is an industry leader in funding and apprenticeships. Drawing on decades of experience, David has worked with hundreds of organisations to improve their compliance strategy, funding, data and delivery – from Universities, ITPs, FE Colleges and employer-providers.
Compliance Services
Specialist advice and support that generates results and builds confidence. Flexible retainers or projects to keep your organisation performing at its best.
One trusted team, many specialists at hand – Our associates bring together a range of specialists with experience spanning post-16 education and employability. From quality to curriculum design and safeguarding, you’ll have access to a range of experts.
- Meet funding expectations and accountability criteria
- Avoid over- or under-claiming
- Implement actions from audits
- Keep on top of funding rule changes
Compliance Design & Delivery
Build apprenticeships that meet funding rules and quality standards. We support programme design, data capture, and evidence packs from start to finish.
Financial Management
You can manage your apprenticeship funding with confidence. Our tools and advice help you forecast revenue, analyse costs, and stay compliant — while protecting profitability.
Evidence Pack Design
Make compliance simple. Our ready-to-use evidence pack templates and contract documentation keep your funding and operations watertight.
Subcontractor Compliance
Strengthen your subcontracting arrangements with clear and robust processes, documentation, and due diligence that stand up to audit.
Learning Support Funding Claims
Unlock full funding potential. We help you develop and evidence compliant Learning Support claims — with templates, training, and system setup.
Audit Support
Confidence throughout with experienced and supportive specialists to guide you.
Our experience is your expertise. Build a package from our menu of specialist products and services for a seamless approach that helps you to develop, improve and grow your provision.
Pre-Audit
Gain confidence ahead of funding audits with our mock audits or compliance scrutiny. We help you identify risks, implement improvement plans, and maintain assurance with ongoing support and expert guidance.
Audit
This intensive package can be called on at short notice. Our guidance and support is with you every step of the way. Regular check-ins and resources that help you to stay organised and confident under pressure.
Post-Audit
From a post-feedback debrief to implementation support. Helping you to translate recommendations into efficient and effective change and safeguards that blend with day to day operations
Professional development
The tools you need to become the best professional you can be.
SDN Mesma Group professional development doesn’t simply take you through the details and help you understand a topic – we move you from theory to practice. If you have a group of individuals interested, we can host a bespoke version for your organisation and tailor the content to suit your needs.
You will receive a CPD attendance certificate after any SDN Mesma Group compliance sessions, as evidence of your personal development.
Apprenticeship Compliance Essentials
To develop underpinning compliance awareness across an organisation, our annually updated Essentials workshop packages help embed the right culture from day 1. Each topic is formed of at least 3 x 2-hour sessions to keep teams updated with the latest regulations.
Apprenticeship Compliance for Leaders – CPD Accredited (learn more below) – Send your middle and senior managers from all departments and areas on an intensive, high-level compliance journey so that they can bring new ideas and best practice examples back into your organisation.
Apprenticeship Compliance Fundamentals for Your Role – Perfect for new starts across all departments, as well as those requiring a refresher, this is designed for all staff involved in administering or delivering apprenticeships so they can develop a healthy understanding of compliance and how it relates to their job role.
Data Management in Apprenticeship Programmes: Including ILR and Operational Effectiveness – This series is for anyone involved in the management of provider data, focusing on data management leadership, and would also be useful for team members in data operations.
Understanding Apprenticeship Financial Management: Funding, Forecasting, Costs and Budgeting – Designed for staff involved in the development of apprenticeship budgeting and financial operations.
CPD Accredited Compliance for Leaders
In-depth webinar series – Dig deep into the realities of apprenticeship compliance
Designed for managers and leaders needing apprenticeship compliance strategies, this series brings to life the knowledge and understanding of the core rules and funding methodologies. Beyond the basic rules, you’ll look at the foundations of compliance across your organisation, and how curriculum, evidence system design and monitoring of implementation are integral to getting compliance right while also strengthening quality.
- Key compliance principles – How it all should work
- Risk in areas of operation
- Managing the risk of rogue elements within your organisation
- Safeguarding funding through the apprentice journey – the data needed
- The three R’s, Right programme, Right learner, and Right employer
- Compliance strategies
- Common strategic errors
Full selection of professional development
Webinars | Workshops | In-Depth Series | CPD Accredited Courses
Beyond our compliance essential sessions, we offer a wealth of professional development to take your compliance strategy to the next level.
An organisation-wide approach – Our professional development offer has your wider team in mind, to help you build the right culture and practices beyond compliance professionals.
Templates, resources and tools
Tools to underpin success in funding and compliance – Build a comprehensive toolkit that simplifies compliance, supports organisational needs, and reduces workload.
Additional tools, templates, forms and calculators:
- Prior Learning (RPL) Calculator
- Apprenticeship Costing Tool
- Initial Assessment Summary
- Training Plan Template
- Enrolment Form
- Change of Circumstance Agreement
- Withdrawal Form
- Progress Review Template
- Gateway Review Template
- Record of Part Completion Template
Ask how we can support you
Find out more about our funding and compliance services, access a professional development event or arrange a call to discuss your organisation-wide approach.