UPDATE NO 309 06 July 2018

Consultation on 2018-19 DCS Peer Challenge Arrangements

The draft “trial run” version of the SESLIP Improvement Plan for 2018-19 has been circulated to DCSs today. Many thanks to all those who took the time to fill in our survey and helped create the document.

We are looking forward to the debate at the SE ADCS meeting next week on Friday 13 July, and to receiving individual feedback about the style and format of the plan. Anna Wright (details below) will be in touch to begin the process of matching “asks” and “offers”.

The draft plan is based on three separate views of regional priorities: a survey of published Ofsted reports; the regional benchmarking data; and the “offer” and “ask” identified by each DCS. It will include existing improvement offers from SESLIP, LGA and Partners in Practice. 

We are using a “non-stigmatising” approach, which assumes that all authorities have, in part, excellent practice that can help others; and that all authorities have some improvement needs. We will share these contributions along with our data analysis and literature review with DCSs before the 13 July meeting.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Wright or Richard Tyndall (details below)

SEND – LGA Regional Workshop

GOOD SEND PRACTICE IN LOCAL AREAS – REGIONAL WORKSHOPS (FREE) FOR COUNCILS

LGA would like to invite council members and officers to a regional workshop to discuss good SEND practice in local areas.

The workshops will cover key strategic themes, including:

1. strategic partnership working and co-production with parents / carers and young people;
2. partnership working and joint commissioning across education, health and care;
3. identifying and assessing young people’s needs;
4. building inclusive capacity in mainstream schools and settings, and providing targeted support for inclusion;
5. developing, planning and commissioning responsive, effective local specialist provision; and
6. preparation for adulthood.

Full details here

Who should attend?

The workshops are for elected members and officers with responsibility for SEND. Lead Members for children’s services, Directors of Children’s Services, Assistant Directors and Heads of Service and with responsibility for SEND, access and inclusion are warmly invited to attend. While the workshops are primarily aimed at councils, other local partner organisations would also be welcome to attend. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis so please apply as soon as possible. More than one colleague from each local area is welcome to attend.

London (for London and the South-East region) – Tuesday 10 July. For other dates and venues click here

SE DCS Peer Challenge 2018

Planning is underway for 2 Director’s Peer Challenges in 2018. The confirmed participants and dates are in bold on the accompanying chart. 

For more details please go to the SE ADCS Peer Challenge page. Colleagues requiring a more detailed briefing should contact Anna Wright (details below).

The visiting teams are now all confirmed. Thanks to colleagues from Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Kent, Bracknell Forest and Southampton for volunteering to join the teams. 

New DCS only restricted area of the website

The new restricted area for DCS-eyes only is now up and running. 

Isabelle (details below) will be in touch with DCSs to issue instructions and passwords and help with any access problems.

This area will be used for sharing confidential documents of interest. 

Please contact Isabelle (details below) if you wish to post new material