Post-16 reforms
Supporting you now and in the future
On 24 July this year, the Department for Education (DfE) announced it would conduct a focused review of post-16 qualification reform at level 3 and below. This included a pause on the removal of 16-19 funding for qualifications that overlap with T Levels in digital, education and early years, health and science, and construction and the built environment. This removal of funding was originally due to come into effect in England on 31 July 2024.
DfE announcement – 12 December
On 12 December (today), the DfE announced the outcome of this review and you can see here which qualifications have had their approval for funding extended.
What does this mean for your delivery?
Education and Early Years
The majority of qualifications that overlap with the Education and Early Years T Level will be defunded from August 2025. The Education and Early Years T Level has, to date, been the most popular of all the T Level routes, positively impacting the lives of thousands of students who have gone on to progress in employment, higher education and apprenticeships. However, there are a small number of qualifications which will continue to be funded in this area, including the NCFE Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning.
Health
The majority of qualifications in this sector area will retain their funding until the summer of 2026, meaning little immediate disruption for you and your learners. As the sector leader in this area, we’d encourage you to take a look at NCFE’s broad portfolio of qualifications including:
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (60161103)
NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (60184358)
We also have some exciting qualifications in this area in the pipeline, including our upcoming Technical Occupation Qualification (TOQ) in Social Care which will fill an important skills gap.
Digital
Again, the majority of qualifications in this sector areas will retain their funding until the summer of 2026, meaning little immediate disruption for you and your learners.
Post-16 Reforms Webinar Series: Planning for Success
Supporting you every step of the way
We’re committed to standing by our sectors and supporting you in delivering future-ready qualifications that empower learners to succeed.
As part of this commitment, we’re delivering a series of sector focused webinars designed to support you to confidently plan for the future following the Department for Educations (DfE) announcement confirming the outcome of the pause and review to Post-16 qualification reforms in England.
The webinars will outline what the future qualification landscape looks like for your sector, providing the clarity, practical tools and insight you need to shape a successful 5-year plan.
Post-16 Qualification Reforms – Update on the outcome of the pause and review
NCFE Technical Education Product Manager, David Rowley, provides an overview of the Department of Education’s (DfE) announcement on the outcome of its review of the Post-16 qualification reforms in England. Find out everything you need to know about what this means for you, your learners, and your future provision.
Cycle 1 qualifications launching August 2025
We’re delighted to confirm 20 level 2 and 3 NCFE qualifications have been approved for funding from 1 August 2025 - more than any other awarding organisation.
These qualifications span the Childcare and Early Years, Digital, and Health and Social Care.
An introduction to new NCFE qualifications approved for funding from August 2025.
Watch this short video where NCFE Product Manager, David Rowley, guides your through the qualifications we're launching as part of cycle 1 of the qualification reforms, or sign up to view the full webinar. Please note: this webinar was recorded prior to the DfE announcement on December 12 2024, outlining the outcome of the pause and review of the post-16 reforms in England.
Watch our webinar
Visit our dedicated sector pages for further details and support on each of the cycle 1 qualifications now approved and funded for delivery from August 2025
Planning for the future - upcoming approval cycles
We’ve got ambitious plans for the future to ensure all of our sectors are well catered for. We’re excited to be developing Level 2 and 3 technical qualifications in:
- Social Care
- Aviation
- Travel and Tourism
- Protective Services
- Sport
- Business
- Logistics
As well as a large number of cross-cutting qualifications, personal, social and employability qualifications (PSEQs) and T Level Foundation Qualifications (TLFQs).
The policy may be subject to change, but our commitment to developing new, world-class qualifications will not.
Find out more