ThisThe documentguidance providesfor guidance2026 to 2027 is for providers in scope to develop and submit an annual accountability statement (part 2) by 3031 JuneJuly 2025.2026.

TheIt guidancesupports alignsproviders withto andmeet simplifies the the:

• requirements for annual accountability agreementsstatements
• statutory andduty –on for further education colleges, sixth-form colleges and designated institutions – the statutory duty to review how well the education and training they provide meets local needs.
  needs

We’ve removed the need for colleges to publish 2 separate documents. They can now fulfil the requirements for both the accountability agreements and the Local Needs Duty in a single annual return.

The Locallocal Needsneeds Dutyduty is a requirement of Section 52B of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, as amended by the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, which came into force on 28 June 2022.

The providers in scope for the annual accountability statement are all further education colleges, sixth-form colleges, designated institutions and local authorities delivering post-16 provision in excess of £1 million. 

The providers in scope for the Locallocal Needsneeds Dutyduty are all further education colleges, sixth-form colleges and designated institutions.