UPDATE NO 346 05 April 2019

LGA Children’s Improvement Adviser for the South East – Recruitment/Procurement

Local Government Association – Children’s Improvement Adviser (CIA) procurement

In this challenging high-profile work, you will be instrumental to the improvement of children’s services within councils. Working with the LGA’s Principal Adviser in a region you will engage with councils that have been identified for sector-led support. You will develop strong relationships with Lead Members, Chief Executives and Directors of Children’s Services. Building a clear understanding of their needs, you will identify innovative solutions, broker improvement strategies, and ensure they are delivered. 

The South East position (estimated 40 days per year) is one of 9 regional improvement advisers being recruited on 12 month contracts.

Further details can be accessed through the following link https://www.local.gov.uk/local-government-association-childrens-improvement-adviser-cia-procurement

Closing date: 5pm, 12 April 2019

If you would like an informal discussion about these opportunities please contact: Richard Cooke, National Programme Manager (Children’s Services) – 07766 356320

Peer Challenge Triads – Planning for 2019-20

We are now planning Peer Challenge Triad sessions for November 2019; this is a move to late autumn to avoid clashing with Ofsted Annual Conversations which are planned to run from January 2020.

We will be commissioning ADCS to undertake an independent review of the recent round of Triad Peer Challenges, and their report will feed into the detailed planning for 2019-20.

15/19 2019 self-assessments have now been uploaded onto DCS-only area of website. We look forward to receiving Ofsted Annual Conversation letters as when they are available for circulation here.

For access to this page please consult your DCS or Isabelle Gregory (details below).

Triad 1 – East Sussex, Surrey and Wokingham on Monday 25 November 2019

Triad 2 – Kent, West Sussex and Portsmouth tba

Triad 3 – Hampshire, IoW, Milton Keynes and Slough on Monday 11 November 2019

Triad 4 – Medway, Oxfordshire and Windsor and Maidenhead tba

Triad 5 – Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire and West Berkshire on Friday 15 November 2019

Triad 6 – Southampton, Bracknell Forest and Reading on Wednesday 13 November 2019

Please contact Isabelle Gregory (details below) for further information on these events

Help shape the procurement of a new aspiring DCS leaders’ programme

Louisa Ellisdon of DfE writes

Following conversations with a few DCSs and with Rachel Dickinson, we would like to invite you to a workshop to help shape the procurement of a new aspiring DCS leaders programme as well as some tailored support for newly appointed DCSs.  We’re very keen to listen to your views and want to work with you on next steps.  We’d also be keen to talk to some Assistant Directors in this context (do share this invitation with relevant Assistant Directors in your area).   

We are inviting you to a workshop on Friday the 10th May 11:30-14:00 in Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1 3BT . We would like to use this session to listen to your views about DCS leadership and growing the next generation of leaders. We will explore some of the areas below with you – we want your views and experience built into this work.

1. Skills and capacities to develop leaders of the future : What do you consider to be the skills and capacities that are essential /desirable for future DCSs? Where the role is done really well, what does it look like and what needs to be in place to support.  What do you think must be included in a future leadership programme?
2. Support and networks: What do you see as being more/less helpful – particularly when you move roles or corporate /political leaders change in your local authority? What are the core learning and support needs for new DCSs/DCSs that move areas?  Moving beyond this – What else would be helpful as you progress through your career as a DCS and senior leader?
3. Motivations, talent attraction and diversity: What encouraged you to want to be a DCS? What can we do to attract in new talent/encourage existing talent to step up to senior leadership?  and to diversify leadership?  What barriers do you see?
4. Working in partnership: What can central government do to better support collaborative leadership – including through networks, support and collaborative training approaches with other sectors etc?

Please confirm if you’d like to join by emailing holly.ramsey@education.gov.uk.   It would be very helpful if you could confirm your attendance by 1^st May and let us know if you have any dietary requirements (we will serve some light refreshments). Do get in touch with Holly with any other questions you have in the meantime.

We also have a similar workshop happening on Sheffield on Tuesday 23^rd April if that would be more convenient you are very welcome – just let Holly know.