ILR & funding

Apprenticeship ILR software, computed server-side

Build the ILR with required-field and funding-consistency checks as you go, and compute funding-sensitive figures against the DfE rule pack in force at each start date — with an evidence pack behind every number.

Journey / Funding & ILR
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Learners
Funding
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Funding & ILR

R14 Period · Closes in 4 days

Data checks passed

Forecast Cashflow (Period)

£248,500

+12% vs last period

On-programme payments

£210,000

945 active learners

Completion payments

£38,500

22 expected achievers

Validation Summary

No Error 1 / Error 2 violations

Required fields and funding-rule consistency checks passed.

3 Warnings (Rule: OTJ_Hours_01)

Learners recorded with planned hours below minimum for standard.

Illustrative funding and ILR view with sample data.

Definition

What is apprenticeship ILR software?

The Individualised Learner Record (ILR) is the data return UK training providers submit to the funding agency to draw down and account for apprenticeship funding. ILR software builds and validates that return from live learner data, applying the correct year's funding rules so figures are accurate and audit-ready.

Is Journey ILR and apprenticeship funding software?

Journey builds the ILR, checks required fields and funding-rule consistency, and computes funding-sensitive figures server-side against versioned DfE funding rule packs. External XSD/FIS conformance and PMR submission remain downstream controls. Figures are never supplied by the client. Journey is independent software and is not DfE or Ofsted approved. It does not guarantee funding or inspection outcomes.

Brings together what used to be separate tools

Funding spreadsheetsManual ILR reconciliation

Year-versioned rule packs

Each apprentice's figures are computed against the funding rules in force at their start date, not a single hard-coded year.

ILR build & data checks

The ILR is built with continuous required-field and funding-consistency checks, so the monthly return starts from reviewed live data; external XSD/FIS conformance remains a submission-stage control.

Forecasting & exports

Funding forecasts and exports are derived from the same audited data your delivery team works in.

Evidence pack per figure

Funding-sensitive figures retain an evidence trail to support provider funding-audit preparation.

Last reviewed: August 2026

ILR as a continuous build, not a monthly scramble

For many providers the ILR return is a fortnightly event: pull data from the MIS, reconcile it against the portfolio and the funding spreadsheet, fix the mismatches, and submit. Each of those steps is a place where figures can drift. Journey builds the ILR continuously from the live learner record and checks required fields and funding-rule consistency, so the monthly return starts from reviewed data rather than a reconstruction from several systems. External XSD/FIS conformance remains a submission-stage control.

Because the ILR is assembled from the same record your delivery team works in, what you submit reflects what actually happened in delivery. A full submission history records exactly what was returned in each period, so you can always see what changed and when.

Funding figures computed server-side against the right year

Funding-sensitive figures are computed on the server against versioned DfE funding rule packs, and the pack in force at each apprentice's start date is selected through a single source of truth. This helps providers apply the relevant year's rules as new years are added. The client can request a transition but never supplies the resulting number, so figures cannot be hand-edited into something the rules would not produce. Journey does not determine DfE or ILR acceptance.

Generated figures retain an evidence pack — the hours, dates and decisions that produced them — to help providers prepare a defensible trail rather than rely on a spreadsheet cell with no working.

2026/27 funding rule coverage

The funding engine is versioned by academic year. Journey centrally carries 2024/25, 2025/26 and the published 2026/27 version 3 DfE apprenticeship funding rule pack. The 2026/27 pack covers apprenticeship starts from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027 and is retained alongside historic years. Journey is independent software: its checks help providers review records and organise evidence, but do not certify every funding-rule clause, make funding decisions or guarantee funding outcomes.

Sources & further reading

This page reflects current public guidance. For the definitive rules, always check the official sources below.

Frequently asked questions

Evidence-linked and accountable by design

Built so your team can trace evidence, decisions and actions

Hard tenant isolation

Every record is scoped to your organisation on each read and write — one provider can never see another's data.

Append-only audit log

Every state change is recorded against the real person who made it, so the history stands up at audit.

Versioned DfE rule packs

Funding-sensitive figures use centrally managed packs selected by start date: 2024/25, 2025/26 and published 2026/27 version 3 coverage.

Governed AI

After provider, DPIA and release approval, Advance AI is metered per tenant and prepares authorised drafts and K/S suggestions for human review. It does not make regulated decisions or change the source record.

Evidence-led security controls

Tenant isolation, access controls, audit records and governed operations are designed into the platform.

Your data and employers stay yours

No lock-in: export your data whenever you like, and your employer relationships always remain yours.

Journey is independent software and is not DfE or Ofsted approved. It does not guarantee funding or inspection outcomes.

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