Overview
We’ve updated the Quality Dashboard to align with the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework specification effective from the end of January 2026, as published by the Department for Education.
These changes ensure that provider performance is measured against the latest, compliant indicators of quality, while maintaining access to important operational monitoring data within Aptem.
Why this update matters
From the end of January 2026, the DfE has introduced revisions to the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework to ensure indicators remain focused on relevant and meaningful measures of provider quality.
Following a detailed review of the updated specification, we have made the necessary enhancements to the Accountability page within the Quality Dashboard to ensure full alignment.
What’s Changed?
Accountability Page Updates
1. Learners Past Planned End Date (Indicator 007)
Removed the split by day-based bands.
Replaced with a single consolidated measure, in line with the January 2026 specification.
2. EPAO-Related Monitoring Removed
Removed monitoring of learners without an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) ID.
EPAO-related indicators are suspended under the updated framework and are no longer displayed or calculated.
3. Break in Learning Monitoring Removed from Accountability
All Break in Learning monitoring has been removed from the Accountability page.
4. Withdrawals (Indicator 004)
Withdrawal “At Risk” and “Needs Improvement” colour indicators have been updated to reflect the revised specification.
5. Enhanced Learner Details Visibility
Learner details table has been enlarged and repositioned for greater prominence.
Added clickable drill-downs from:
Learners Past End KPI
Withdrawal KPI
Drill-downs dynamically update the Learner Details table for deeper investigation.
New: Dedicated “Learners on a Break” page
Break in Learning monitoring remains available within the Quality Dashboard — now on its own dedicated page.
This new page:
Replicates the previous Accountability Break in Learning metrics
Includes user-definable filters to identify which learners would be included within QAR calculations
Provides clickable KPI drill-downs to update the Learner Details table
Separates operational monitoring from accountability measures for clearer reporting alignment
What has not changed
Indicators 002 and 003 remain unchanged.
No new Accountability indicators have been introduced beyond those defined in the updated specification.
What this means for admin users
Because the dashboard now reflects the January 2026 specification:
Performance trends may differ when compared to previous dashboard versions.
Admin users should review the updated indicator definitions to ensure internal reporting aligns with the revised framework.
Historical comparisons should take into account the structural changes to certain measures.
Summary
These enhancements ensure the Quality Dashboard:
Aligns fully with the January 2026 Apprenticeship Accountability Framework
Maintains compliance with DfE reporting expectations
Retains operational monitoring functionality
Improves usability with enhanced drill-downs and clearer data presentation
If you have any questions about how these changes affect your reporting, please contact your Aptem Customer Success Manager.