Department for Education

3. Mrs X complains that her request for the first Early Career Payment, which she initiated in March 2022, was declined by the Department for Education (DfE) for the 2021 to 2022 academic year. She further states that the communication and notifications from the DfE regarding the payment and claiming process were inadequate.

4. Mrs X says that she was reliant on receiving this payment, due to rising living costs and a beginning teacher’s salary not providing sufficient income to cover her needs.

5. By bringing her complaint to us, Mrs X is seeking for the DfE to reconsider its decision, regarding the year three Early Career Payment (ECP).

6. In early March 2022, Mrs X emailed the DfE to enquire about the process for claiming her first Early Career Payment (ECP).

7. She was informed the following day, that the claims window for the 2021 to 2022 academic year had closed. It added if she was ‘eligible’ she could apply from Autum 2022, for academic year 2022 to 2023.

8. On 13 October, Mrs X submitted a complaint asking the DfE to reconsider its decision, explaining that she was aware that the claims window had closed and that she was advised that, she could apply in the following September (if she was eligible). Mrs X stated ‘this aligned to my thinking that the third year is from the completion year (2019) not start of the program (2018). When I try this time around, I am told I’m not eligible anymore’.

9. Mrs X also noted that she had received no reminder emails prompting her to claim. After receiving no response, she followed up with a further email in early October.

10. The DfE responded by explaining that the ECP was available to mathematics teachers who either completed an undergraduate, or began a postgraduate initial teacher training course in the 2018 to 2019 academic year.

11. The DfE stated that the eligibility information had first being published on its website in October 2019, and that communications have been sent to eligible teachers using the contact details held by the Teacher Regulation Authority (TRA). The letter advised ‘if you need to respond to us, please visit https://www.education.gov.uk/contactus and quote your reference’.

12. A few days later, Mrs X appealed the decision. She acknowledged ‘responsibility’ for not seeing the published information on the DfE website, but stated that the communication and notifications provided were inadequate. She confirmed that her TRA details were up to date and asked when the email notifications had been issued, after 2018.

13. On 2 November the DfE replied, confirming that she had received its official response, and that no further information could be provided. The DfE included a link to its website for details on how to submit a further complaint or appeal, but did not provide escalation information.

14. On 27 November, Mrs X contacted her MP to request that her PHSO complaint form be signed, so she could pursue an ‘independent review’. Her MP signed the form, which was sent to the PHSO in January 2023. Further correspondence subsequently took place between Mrs X, her MP and the DfE.

15. On 4 Apil 2023, the DfE responded, reiterating the information previously provided. It included a link to the National Archives website, confirming that the eligibility details had first been published in October 2019. The DfE also advised that teachers were required to apply for the payments at the point at which they became eligible. It confirmed that this was its ‘final decision’ on the matter, although it did not provide information on the next steps available. Following this response, further correspondence continued between Mrs X, her MP and the DfE.

16. The DfE sent a further response on 10 June 2024 stating, ‘You have asked us to set out our final response in relation to your complaint regarding Early Career Payments (ECPs) and our decision not to accept your application. Your main assertions are that the application window for the payments was unclear, you did not receive adequate reminders to apply for the payment, and that you should be able to claim the payment retrospectively. We have previously responded to those issues having carefully and thoroughly considered the issues you have raised. This is our final response to you addressing those issues and confirming our position’.

17. It reiterated information provided in its earlier correspondence. It confirmed that it was not possible to ‘apply for an ECP retrospectively’ and that no exceptions could be made. The DfE also listed five emails it stated had been sent to eligible teachers between August 2021 and January 2022, including the dates of issue.

18. Mrs X’s MP subsequently contacted the MP for Minister for Schools (the Minister). On 13 September 2024, the Minister responded to Mrs X’s MP, reiterating information provided in previous correspondence and confirming that all applicants were treated fairly, reasonably and consistently. The Minister advised that no exception could be made, in relation to Mrs X missing the deadline to claim her first ECP. Further correspondence then took place between Mrs X, her MP and the Minister.

19. The Minister issued a further response on 18 February 2025, confirming that a final decision had been communicated (on 10 June 2024) which confirmed the DfE’s position on the matter. The Minister again reiterated that an ECP could not be applied for retrospectively.

Administrative background

20. Mathematics teachers who completed an undergraduate initial teacher training (ITT) or started a postgraduate ITT in the 2018 to 2019 academic year, were eligible to claim two separate Early Career Payments (ECP’s) of £5,000 (£7,500 if teaching in specified areas of England) after-tax, payable in their third and fifth year of teaching. The claim years for this cohort were academic years 2021 to 2022, and 2023 to 2024.

21. If eligible (under the full eligibility criteria) and employed as a teacher in a state-funded secondary school in England, teachers were required to apply for the ECP during the application windows, which opened for five months from September, in the year stated.

24. Mrs X complains that her request for the first Early Career Payment (ECP) which she initiated the process for claiming in March 2022, was declined by the Department for Education (DfE) for the 2021 to 2022 academic year.

25. According to the DfE’s guidance on the first ECP for mathematics teachers, those who completed an undergraduate ITT or started a postgraduate ITT in the 2018 to 2019 academic year, were eligible to apply during the first window. This eligibility window was open from September 2021 to January 2022, for teachers in their third year of training.

26. The evidence shows that consequently, the DfE informed Mrs X that she had missed the eligibility window for claiming.

27. We acknowledge that, in addition to missing the eligibility window, Mrs X considered the DfE’s communications and notifications to be ‘inadequate’. She felt this created ‘additional and unreasonable barriers’ which prevented her from making a claim. She adds that the correspondence she received on 19 December 2018 ‘did not state there was a limited window in which to apply’.

28. Mrs X stated ‘In my opinion DfE should be forthcoming and notify candidates in advance when the window to claim is opening/closing. It is inequitable that I have missed out on a payment I was promised and which I relied upon in good faith due to a limited window of opportunity to make the claim which was not highlighted to me at the outset’.

29. Under our Principles of Good Administration – being customer focussed – we expect organisations aim to ensure that customers are clear about their entitlements; about what they can and cannot expect from the public body; and about their own responsibilities. With this in mind, we looked carefully at what information the DfE made publicly availableabout this scheme.

30. The evidence shows that the DfE clearly displayed information on its Gov.UK website, regarding the opening, and duration of the eligibility window. This information was accessible to the public.

31. An archived Gov.UK page displaying information dated 21 October 2019, provides details about the process and eligibility [ARCHIVED CONTENT] Early-career payments: guidance for teachers and schools - GOV.UK as shown below:

32. Apply for Early Career Payments For teachers who started postgraduate ITT in the 2018 to 2019 academic year: • 2021 to 2022 for the third year payment • 2023 to 2024 for the fifth year payment

33. It also included a section named ‘Register your interest’ for registering interest to receive updates from the DfE, as shown below:

34. Teachers, schools and local authorities can register their interest and receive updates from the Department for Education.

• Teachers: register your interest • Schools and local authorities: register your interest

35. It also stated on 11 May 2018 ‘We will publish details of the application process in due course and prior to the first payment year’.

36. This was updated on 4 May 2021 to read, ‘Details about the application process will be available soon’.

37. On 24 May 2021, the page included information on when the eligibility window was open for teachers to apply for the first ECP in the 2018 to 2019 cohort, as show below:

38. When to apply and payments - You need to apply at different times depending on: • the subject you teach • when your ITT course started in (postgraduate) or finished in (undergraduate) Each application window will be open for five months from September in the year stated.

39. It also provided an email address for questions regarding ECP’s earlycareerteacherpayments@digital.education.gov.uk.

40. When the window opened in September 2021, the page was updated again and said ‘check your eligibility and apply for your first payment now’.

41. In additions, the DfE confirmed in its first formal response in October 2022, that it had ‘sent communications to eligible teachers’ using the details held by the Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) and listed five emails, dated between 31 August 2021 and January 2022, that these were sent to eligible teachers, which are listed below:

• 31 August 2021 - prior to the application window opening • 6 September 2021 - to notify teachers that the application window had opened • 21 October 2021 - communications highlighting incentives • December 2021 – a reminder to claim • January 2022 - to inform teachers that the application window was due to close.

42. The DfE also confirmed that the next eligibility window for Mrs X’s cohort would be open from September 2023 to January 2024.

43. Mrs X stated that she did not receive any of the above emails, which is unfortunate. Although it is unclear why she did not receive them, it is important to note that, the DfE were not obliged to send reminder emails, such reminders would have been provided out of courtesy.

44. We acknowledge that Mrs X recognises she missed the eligibility window ‘I certainly take responsibility that I missed the publication of the relevant dates in which to apply on the DfE website’.

45. We also understand that not receiving the ECP was deeply disappointing for her, and she felt let down and undervalued. We appreciate the good faith in which she applied, and recognise the frustration this situation has caused.

46. The DfE confirmed in its June 2024 response, ‘We apply all ECP eligibility criteria, including the application window, with good effective administration to ensure all applicants are treated fairly, reasonably and consistently. It is not possible to apply for an ECP retrospectively, and we cannot make an exception in this circumstance’.

47. We also note that within the same response the DfE stated ‘claims for the 2021 to 2022 application window have now closed. If you are eligible, claims for the 2022 to 2023 academic year will open in Autumn 2022’.

48. In response, Mrs X stated ‘They suggested that I claim again the next time the window opened in the academic year 2022/2023 but I have since been informed that I am not eligible to do this’.

49. Although the DfE mentioned the 2022 to 2023 window, this was conditional on eligibility and did not indicate that Mrs X was entitled to claim. It remained her responsibility to verify her eligibility, and under the 2019 to 2020 cohort, she was not eligible to claim.

50. We also understand that Mrs X interpreted that the ECP was ‘part of the overall package for maths teachers’ which she says is noted in the Initial Teacher Training Bursaries Funding Manual. However, all though these are available, ECP’s are separate incentives from any bursaries, teachers may have received from their ITT provider.

51. Whilst Mrs X is correct that ECP’s were available in the third and fifth year, each eligible teacher still needed to claim the payment during the specific eligibility window. Teachers who did not apply within this period were not able to claim retrospectively. The DfE’s decision not to make the payment after the eligibility window closed, is reasonable.

52. It is important to note that, eligibility windows are enforced to maintain compliance, fairness and proper use of funds. It remains the individual teacher’s responsibility to submit their application within the specified window, to receive the payment.

53. Under our Principles of Good Administration – being open and accountable, organisations are expected to clearly state their decision-making criteria, and give reasons for their decisions. We can see that the DfE acted in line with our principles here.

54. We sympathise with Mrs X, and fully recognise that this has been a very difficult time for her, and we do not wish to diminish the impact that this situation has had on her.

55. In summary, we have decided to take no further action on this complaint. This is because we can see that the DfE clearly explained why it could not pay the first ECP retrospectively, and provided clear information regarding the eligibility window. We would not have expected the DfE to have done anything more.

56. We thank Mrs X for bringing her concerns to our attention, and wish her well for the future.

1. We have carefully considered Mrs X’s complaint about the DfE. We are sorry to hear how much distress the whole situation has caused Mrs X.

2. Having looked carefully at the evidence, we have not identified any failings in the circumstances which led to Mrs X approaching us. For that reason, although we recognise how difficult the situation has been for Mrs X, we have decided to take no further action on this complaint. We will explain the reasons below in more detail.