What's the difference between the local authority return requirements and funding requirements?

What's the difference between the local authority return requirements and funding requirements?

Meeting the required criteria for the Local Authority return does not mean you’ve met the requirements for funding.

Local authorities claiming funding

There are additional data items that are required to become eligible for funding over and above the requirements for the LA annual return.

Additional workplace data:

  • Reason for leaving
  • Numbers that have left for each reason given

Additional staff record data:

  • Nationality 
  • Care Certificate 
  • Recruitment source 
  • Start date 
  • Zero hours contract? 
  • Other job roles
Also note that agency staff must have a fully completed worker record that meets the funding criteria to be eligible for funding.
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