This one day in-person conference is tailored for data and funding professionals in the further education sector, offering a focused experience you won’t want to miss.

The event will bring together sector leaders, funding specialists, and assurance experts to explore the latest developments, trends, and challenges in education funding.

Delegates may expect:
• Department for Education (DfE) Funding Reviews and insights: stay informed with essential updates from the DfE, including policy changes, funding reviews, and how these affect colleges and training providers.
• Common issues and how to avoid them: discover practical steps to avoid funding pitfalls, with expert-led sessions focusing on real-world case studies and assurance findings.
• Live Q&A opportunities: engage with leading experts and ask your most pressing questions about funding data, assurance, and compliance.

Key sessions include:
• Funding assurance themes from 2024/25: Delivered by Lisa Smith and Emma Gipson, RSM – get the inside track on the most common themes and issues arising from the latest round of DfE funding assurance reviews. This in-depth session will also look ahead to 2025/26, offering early insights into expected assurance requirements and working papers.
• Caroline Charlton, Head of Data Assurance, Office for Students – learn about how the Office for Students uses data from colleges. Hear about common issues found through OfS data audit, and how to avoid them.
• Funding challenges in a devolved landscape: Delivered by Emma Davison, Funding Data Manager, NCG – learn how one of the UK’s largest college groups is navigating the complexities of working with multiple devolved authorities, and the operational changes made in response.
• PDSAT for 2025/26: Delivered by Karl Bentley, Director of Funding Assurance, Validera – this session will focus on PDSAT developments for 2025/26 (subject to release), highlighting what to look for and how to prepare your data for audit readiness.