UPDATE NO 463 23 July 2021

New recovery fund to tackle harms facing vulnerable children

On 8 July 2021, minister Vicky Ford MP announced a “£24 million regional fund for children’s social care, including funding to support unaccompanied minors”. See press release here.

The funding prospectus is here and an FAQ sheet (now v3) is here.

A special meeting of the DCSs discussed the south east response on Thursday 22 July, many thanks to all who have contributed to the draft response.

Please address all questions about accessing this funding to Richard Tyndall, Programme Manager (details below).

KCSIE September 2021 edition published

On 6 July 2021 DfE published a revised Keeping children safe in education which will come into force on 1 September 2021.

KCSIE 2021 is here.  

NSPCC has published a detailed briefing on the changes, their CASPAR report is here

Nuffield Foundation: System conditions and welfare inequalities in children’s services

On 30 June 2021, Nuffield Foundation published System conditions and welfare inequalities in children’s services by Rick Hood and Allie Goldacre with Adam King, Ed Jones, Calum Webb and Paul Bywaters

“There is a significant social gradient for children’s social care services, which means they disproportionately intervene with children from more deprived backgrounds.”

The full report is here; The executive summary is here; The research briefing is here

Social Worker Anti-Racism Questionnaire

The Anti-Racist Steering Grouphas launched a social worker anti-racism questionnaire. The survey is hosted by What Works for Children’s Social Care. 

The Anti-Racist Steering Group is comprised of representatives from the Principal Social Workers’ Network, the Department for Education, Social Work England, Office of the Chief Social Workers Department of Health and Social Care and What Works for Children’s Social Care. 

Watch a video to meet the Anti-Racist Social Work Steering Group.

Initial teacher training (ITT) market review

On 5 July 2021, DfE launched a consultation on Initial teacher training (ITT) market review which closes on 22 August 2021

The DfE is seeking views on the recommendations made by the expert group in their ITT market review report.

The DfE appointed an expert group to undertake a review of the ITT market for courses that lead to qualified teacher status. The aim of the review is to enable the provision of consistently high-quality training in line with the ITT core content framework.

Future dates for network meetings

Lead Members Group: Friday 8 October 2021 9:30-12:30. Expert workshop #3 on vulnerable adolescents. More information from Alison Michalska (contact details below)

Data Benchmarking: Tuesday 14 September 2021. More information from Alastair Lee (contact details below)

Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board: Tuesday 12 October 2021. More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

AD Education: Friday 17 September – 10.00am. More information from Chris Owen (contact details below)

AD Safeguarding: Friday 10 September 2021. More information from Mark Evans (contact details below)

QA Network: Friday 10 September 2021. 2pm – 5pm. More information from Amanda Meadows (contact details below)

Fostering Network: 10.30am Monday 4 October 2021. More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

SEND SE19: Preparing for Adulthood Forum 21 September 2021 13:30 – 15:30 More information from Tracey Maytas (contact details below)