All publicly funded education providers must collect and return data about their learners. The further education and skills sector in England uses the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) to collect data about learners. The ILR is an electronic data return, submitted to the Department for Education (DfE), and it is essential that all providers submit accurate data because the ILR is used to calculate their funding, and also contributes to all official government statistics. This page aims to give you an introduction and some top tips for the ILR, but all providers should check official DfE guidance before submitting their return. You can also attend our ILR training course for more information.
Natspec members can also attend Data and MIS network meetings, use the Data and MIS forum or email ilr@natspec.org.uk to ask for help on ILR issues.
ILR top tips
Natspec has produced an ILR top tips guide to help specialist colleges complete it successfully. It uses information published by the Department for Education (DfE). Providers should note that the information may be amended by DfE at any time and should refer back to the links provided at the end of the document for full details.
Summary of useful links
These resources may also help you when filling in your ILR return
- 16 to 19 education: funding allocations tells you how DfE use your data and describes how the allocations process works
- ILR technical documents, guidance and requirements, including ILR specification and data collection timetable.
- Funding information service (FIS) for checking your ILR data
- Submit Learner Data – for submitting, validating, or viewing your data
- Known Issues with Submit Learner Data – regularly updated
- Find a learning aim – to look up approved qualifications
Upcoming Workshops
Natspec offers training on the ILR and completing it successfully, aimed at first timers and experienced professionals. These cover not only how to successfully complete the ILR but also the reasons why the data is gathered, and how colleges can make use of it. If you have any queries about any of the training below, please contact transform@natspec.org.uk
New to the ILR? Getting it right first time
Wednesday 14 January 2026, 10:00am–12:00pmThis training is aimed at staff who have little or no experience of creating or returning Individual Learner Records (ILR) and require an introduction to the basics.
The ILR in practice
Wednesday 21 January 2026, 10:00am–12:00pmAs a follow up to our “New to the ILR” workshop, we look here at a practical application of the cycle of returning Individual Learner Records (ILR), and importantly the analysis of data checking, error reports and their resolution.
The ILR drop-in and Q&A session
Wednesday 28 January 2026, 11:30am–1:00pmThis session gives colleagues the opportunity to ask and discuss ILR related issues or queries, especially in advance of upcoming data returns.
Data and MIS network
Thursday 12 March 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmIf you have Data/MIS/ILR responsibilities at any of our member colleges, join us to discuss your issues.
New to the ILR? Getting it right first time
Thursday 14 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pmThis training is aimed at staff who have little or no experience of creating or returning Individual Learner Records (ILR) and require an introduction to the basics.
The ILR in practice
Wednesday 20 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pmAs a follow up to our “New to the ILR” workshop, we look here at a practical application of the cycle of returning Individual Learner Records (ILR), and importantly the analysis of data checking, error reports and their resolution.
The ILR drop-in and Q&A session
Tuesday 2 June 2026, 11:30am–1:00pmThis session gives colleagues the opportunity to ask and discuss ILR related issues or queries, especially in advance of upcoming data returns.
Data and MIS network
Thursday 18 June 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmIf you have Data/MIS/ILR responsibilities at any of our member colleges, join us to discuss your issues.
Data and MIS network
Thursday 19 November 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmIf you have Data/MIS/ILR responsibilities at any of our member colleges, join us to discuss your issues.