UPDATE NO 302 18 May 2018

Consultation on 2018-19 DCS Peer Challenge Arrangements

Work is now underway on a “trial run” to create a regional improvement plan for 2018/19. We are aiming to bring a draft to the SE ADCS meeting on 13 July.

This work will be 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.

All SE DCSs have today received an email invitation to identify priorities for the emerging regional improvement plan. 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 immediate 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)

GDPR, SESLIP and Benchmarking

The recent flurry of activity around the introduction of new GDPR rules will also touch SESLIP activity, in particular the work of the Benchmarking Group. An initial risk assessment has shown that our existing agreements – both the general SESLIP MoU and the Data Sharing Protocol mean that we are well covered at the moment.

Alastair Lee (contact details below) is taking proper advice through ESCC on any necessary revisions for the data sharing protocol, but our position in the prioritised queue for attention means that we are not quite ready to release the detail. Watch this space.

AD Education Network

The AD Education Network meets next on Friday 15 June (details from Alison Rendle below). Maria Dawes (Deputy Director, South East and South London) and Kate Dethridge (Deputy Director North West London & South Central) will be joining the meeting.

New arrangements for booking your place

In order to simplify administration processes, Alison has set up an Eventbrite page for these meetings. Please follow this link to book your place https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seslip-ad-education-network-156-tickets-45888633137

UASC Conference – Thursday 28 June – Maidstone

Kent Specialist Children’s Services Conference 2018 – “Our Journeys – Travelling Towards Success Together”

How your Local Authority can make a difference for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children & Young People.
Utilising Kent’s experience with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Young People to focus our minds towards achieving excellent placement, educational and well-being outcomes and community integration.

Venue: Oakwood House, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8AE

Date and Time: Thursday 28 June 2018, 9.15am – 4.00pm

Who should attend:

Local Authority Members Education Professionals, Social Work Practitioners, Virtual School Professionals, Fostering Practitioners, Accommodation and Health Professionals, Supporting Networks.
Fee:
£75 for one delegate or £50 per delegate for 2 or more. Includes lunch.
Accommodation (limited) is available for the night before / night after the conference at the conference venue at a discounted rate. Contact Oakwood House Hotel (01622 620720) and quote ‘UASC Conference’.

Download the flyer here or the booking form here.

For more information please contact Rachel Calver at Kent Virtual School.

SE DCS Peer Challenge 2018

Planning is underway for 3 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 2018 MoU is now available for particpants to download, sign and return. Thanks to Bracknell Forest and Brighton and Hove for returning a signed MoU.

I now have one vacancy to join the team to visit Hampshire in November; thanks to colleagues from Brighton and Hove, Kent, Bracknell Forest and Southampton for volunteering to join the teams. Please contact Richard Tyndall in the first instance if you wish to join the Hampshire team.