UPDATE NO 483 10 December 2021

Ofsted Annual Report 2020-2021

On 7 December 2021, Ofsted published its Annual Report for 2020-2021

The report presents their findings for the areas Ofsted inspects in early years childcare, schools, further education and skills and social care.

The full report is here

Covid-19 How Local Authorities Have Adapted Social Work Practice

On 2 December 2021, What Works for Children’s Social Care (WWCSC) and the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) published a report looking at how children’s services in England adapted in response to the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown raised large concerns over how social workers would be able to still deliver the support needed for the families they work with. This COVID-19 Report looks at six of the initiatives rapidly implemented by local authorities’ children’s services to adapt their practice in response to Covid-19.

The interim report is here. The full report is here

Afghanistan resettlement education grant

On 3 December 2021, DfE announced Afghanistan Resettlement Education Grant for seven authorities in the south east totalling £1,193,883.

The LAs concerned are Hampshire, Kent, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Southampton, Surrey and West Berkshire.

SESLIP Freelance Consultant Approved List now open

On Monday 13 December 2021, ESCC advertised the SESLIP Freelance Consultant Approved List. Please address all enquiries about this opportunity to Richard Tyndall, Programme Manager (detai;ls below

Freelance consultants interested in seeking work with the SESLI Programme should consult the advertisement now live on the SE Shared Services eSourcing Portal.

Staff College – Secondment Opportunity

The Staff College is advertising a flexible secondment opportunity for a programme facilitator/trainer focusing on anti-racist, anti-discriminatory leadership and equality, diversity, inclusion and equity (EDIE).

More details about the secondment opportunity are here. The deadline for submissions is 14th January 2022. We are open-minded about the professional/organisational background of the individual. If you would like a conversation about this role, please contact david.tilbrook@thestaffcollege.uk. 

Future dates for network meetings

Lead Members Group: Expert Workshop #5: Mental Health Services for CYP. Fri 4 February 10:00. More information from Alison Michalska (contact details below)

Data Benchmarking: More information from Alastair Lee (contact details below)

Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board: More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

AD Education: Friday 4 February – 10.00am. More information from Chris Owen (contact details below)

AD Safeguarding: Friday 11 March 2022. More information from Mark Evans (contact details below)

QA Network: Thursday 6 January 2022. 2pm – 5pm. The meeting will consider performance of health and dental assessments for Children looked after. More information from Amanda Meadows (contact details below)

Fostering Network: More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

SEND SE19: 25 January 2022 (LAs only) more information from Tracey Maytas (contact details below)

Mental health care for children and young people during the pandemic

On 17 November 2021 CQC published “Provider collaboration review: Mental health care of children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic“

In June and July 2021, the Care Quality Commission carried out reviews in seven areas of England (including Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICS) to explore how services were working together to support children and young people’s mental health during the pandemic.

The full report is here

Elective home education – ADCS 2021 survey

On 24 November 2021, ADCS published its latest Elective Home Education survey.

It reports a further, significant increase in total numbers who are EHE, high levels of churn and that covid fears feature high in parents reasons for de-registration.

The full report is here.