UPDATE NO 307 22 June 2018

Report from the AD Education Network Meeting 15th June

Alison Rendle (details below) writes:

Dame Kate Dethridge, Deputy Regional Schools Commissioner, gave a very informative presentation to the group about the DfE’s new principles for a school accountability system.  This led to lively discussion about the features required to make these new arrangements effective, and about some of the challenges facing schools, MATs and local authorities.  The group will work on a joint response to the consultation on the new accountability proposals when they are published in the autumn.

The meeting included some sharing of issues and challenges around high needs block, SEND provision and inclusion in schools.  The group agreed that it would like to meet with the SEND group for a joint meeting in the autumn term, and Dame Kate agreed that a SEND representative from the RSC would attend the meeting.  A date and agenda for this joint meeting will be agreed with the SEND group shortly.  This will be published in good time so that LA’s can identify the representatives they wish to send to the meeting.

The AD Education Network contact page is here. The SEND contact page is here.

Consultation on 2018-19 DCS Peer Challenge Arrangements

The SESLIP team has considered a first draft of the “trial run” regional improvement plan. Many thanks to to those who completed to short survey. There is still time for colleagues from Buckinghamshire, Medway, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Windsor & Maidenhead and West Sussex to send in late returns. Details of how to access the survey will be emailed to these Directors.

We will circulate a draft of the regional plan in advance of the of the meeting on Friday 13 July. In the meantime Anna Wright (details below) will be in touch to  begin the process of matching “asks” and “offers”.

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.

The draft plan 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. 

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)

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).

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.

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