UPDATE NO 266 01 September 2017

Topical Peer Challenge Round 9

The rearranged Topical Peer Challenge visit to West Sussex MASH to be led by Andrew Ireland (DCS Kent) has been fixed for Tuesday and Wednesday October 17 and 18. We are now asking DCSs to nominate three colleagues to join this visit. Please contact Richard Tyndall (details below) for more information.

We are seeking one nomination at Assistant Director level and two more at practitioner level. Because of the postponement, this visit has become detached from the rest of Round 9, so the usual mutual resourcing arrangement will not apply. Instead, I’m looking for nominations on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have have any interest (or know of a colleague who might be suitable), please seek the support of your DCS for the nomination and then contact Richard Tyndall in the first instance (details below).

SEND Inspection Preparation

The SEND 19 Group has published “Inspection Preparation: Self Evaluation Framework Peer Review Guidance” 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Tracey Maytas (details below)

SE DCS Peer Challenge

Save the Date Wednesday 22 November. 

There will be a training and preparation session on Wednesday 22 November for hosts, visitors and observers who are planning to participate in the 2018 SE DCS Peer Challenge.

We ask all those planning to participate in SE DCS Peer Challenge 2018 who are new to the process to save the date Wednesday 22 November. There will be an all-day session (venue to be confirmed). Please contact Richard Tyndall or Anna Wright (details below) for more information.

Early Help Indicators – 2017 Review

A review of the Early Help indicators used in the benchmarking reports took place earlier this year, as a consequence the level of need of children involved with Early Help services will no longer be reported. This was due to there being a wide variety of the definitions of levels of need between LAs making it impossible to benchmark. Referrals, assessments and number of clients will continue to be benchmarked.

This change will be made in the 2017/18 Q1 benchmarking report.

A summary of the findings and recommendations is available here.

If you have any questions about this change, please contact Alastair lee (deatils below).

South East Clinical Networks – Special Advisor (Local Authorities), C&YP Mental Health Improvement Team.

Alec Renmant, Quality Improvement Lead, NHS England – South (South East) writes:

“The NHS South East Clinical Networks team invites expressions of interest in a one-day-a-week opportunity with the C&YP Mental Health Improvement Team that covers Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, Kent, Medway, Surrey and West Sussex. The role is to support delivery of the NHS England priority clinical programmes in mental health with specific focus on the vision of “Future in Mind” and the “Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.”

“For more information contact Alec Renmant 07730 379836.”

The invitation is aimed at colleagues who are working (or who have worked) in local authority children’s services at assistant director/head of service level. The mental health team covers the six local authority areas of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, Kent, Medway, Surrey and West Sussex, but the invitation to express an interest is open to anyone who meets the role description. It is suitable for employed colleagues who can be released one day a week, or for freelance consultants.

This opportunity closes on 5 September, and interviews are planned for late September.

Topical Peer Challenge Round 10

Bookings for Topical Peer Challenge Round 10 are now open. Currently two participants: Buckinghamshire (MASH Front Door) and Wokingham (Virtual School).

Please let Richard Tyndall (contact details below) know if you would like to join in Round 10, the field work for which will be undertaken in late 2017 or early 2018.

Leadership Development

We continue to offer our successful portfolio of Leadership Development Courses all of which have been positively evaluated by delegates.

We are offering LAs the opportunity to train their own trainers for all our courses. Our aim is to increase the capacity and capability across the region  to ensure future sustainability within LAs. Courses can also be delivered with adult services and/or for schools. Please contact Di Smith, details below, if this is of interest to you.

All courses are run in-house in the LA who provides the venue. Each course is accompanied by a range of training resources for the delegates including a comprehensive handbook. The current courses on offer are as follows and details of each course and the costs for each can be found by downloading the April 2016 Leadership Development Prospectus. 

Coaching to Improve Performance

Embedding a Coaching Culture

Leading Change in Times of Austerity

Step Up to Leadership   

We can also arrange one-to-one coaching, especially to support newly appointed 2nd and 3rd tier managers

If you require further details or wish to book a course please get in touch with Di Smith (contact details below)