Of course you will not find an answer, sorry but it is a BS question.
Who does ATPL theory + IR training, cost you around £18.000, and NOT HAVING IT ISSUED?
IR is a rating, you need to have a valid license when you do the IR skill test.
First question you must ask yourself, what is you really want. You just want to train IR for fun, but without issuing a license? I am sure most FTO's would not mind taking your money to do that.
But skill test, you can't do. One of the criteria to do the IR skill test is to present a valid PPL or CPL license.