We are pleased to confirm that the current funding for OCR Life and Living Skills qualifications will continue until qualifications based on new standards are introduced. 

The DfE has published its response to the consultation on post-16 qualifications at Level 2 and below – you can read our summary of the response on our policy web pages.

In this response, the DfE acknowledges the importance of Personal, Social and Employability Qualifications (PSE). It now plans to develop a set of national standards for PSE qualifications. To be eligible for public funding in future, all qualifications would need to meet these standards. The DfE has noted that a range of stakeholders including those from the SEND community need to be involved in developing new standards. 

The Government expects the teaching date will be September 2027. We are therefore looking at our review dates for Life and Living Skills and will let you know as soon as these are confirmed. 

Our Life and Living Skills suite is a comprehensive range of versatile and adaptable qualifications, with no minimum entry requirements. You can choose from over 140 bite-sized units across a wide range of skill areas; including pre-employability, personal and social skills. There are no mandatory units or barred combinations at any level, allowing for varied personalised learning programmes with a completely flexible structure.