Monthly Archives: April 2017

Changes to SASE to include acceptance of British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications

6th April 2017

An update to The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) was published on gov.uk on 30th March – ahead of the Statutory Instrument which was laid before Parliament on Friday 31st March.
It is anticipated to come into force on 24th April. This is the link to the new SASE document:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/specification-of-apprenticeship-standards-for-england

 

The change being made is to include the introduction of British Sign Language (BSL) as an alternative to English for people who use BSL as their primary language, at both Level 1 and Level 2.
The document makes it clear that the change will only apply once the statutory instrument (the “Order”)  has come into force:
British Sign Language has been added to the English minimum achievement options. This will apply to those starting an apprenticeship after the Apprenticeships (Modification to the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England) Order 2017 has come into force and, pursuant to an appropriate direction made under section 13 ASCL to the issuing authorities, those currently on an apprenticeship but who have not yet completed their apprenticeship prior to the Order coming into force.
The forthcoming changes to include BSL were initially announced in the press in January.
We will confirm when the required “Order” has been passed and that the BSL changes are implemented.