UPDATE NO 457 11 June 2021

DfE Project Phase 2: Provider consultation

Rosemary Perry, project manager, (contact details below) writes

“Phase 2 of the project reached a critical milestone, with the publication of our second market notice on Monday 7 June, seeking to meet with providers to explore the possibility of working together more closely to co-design and co-produce services. Initially, looking at the possibility to develop 25-30 new residential placements for children aged between approximately 10-16. The placements need to be physically located within the local authority areas and could be new, already existing placements or a combination of both options, with either one or several providers 

“Here is the link to the dedicated page on the SESLIP website.

“The information pack hosted on the SESLIP website includes a film, introduced by Lucy Butler and including Independent Children’s Homes Association Chief Executive, Peter Sandiford and Vanessa Fowler, Deputy Director Specialist Commissioning, NHSE; a written specification and an on-line survey.  Providers are being given the opportunity to book 121 sessions with members of the project team and participating LAs (West Sussex, Kent and Portsmouth) over the coming weeks to discuss the themes in more detail.  The notice is also live on WSCCs Linked-In pages and through Twitter. A further market notification will be issued later in the summer, taking on board the feedback from this consultation.

“We have been delighted with the level of response so far, and would be delighted to hear from more providers.”

Ofsted review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges

On 10 June 2021, Ofsted published its Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. 

Please refer to the full report for the list of recommendations 

Future dates for network meetings

Lead Members Group: Friday 2 July 2021. More information from Alison Michalska (contact details below)

Data Benchmarking: Tuesday 13 July 2021. More information from Alastair Lee (contact details below)

Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board: Tuesday 13 July 2021. More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

AD Education: Friday 18 June  – 10.30am. More information from Chris Owen (contact details below)

AD Safeguarding: Friday 10 September 2021. More information from Mark Evans (contact details below)

QA Network: More information from Amanda Meadows (contact details below)

Fostering Network: 10.30am 19 July 2021. More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

SEND SE19: More information from Tracey Maytas (contact details below)

COVID-19: Support for children’s education – report of the HoC Public Accounts Committee

On 20 May 2021, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee published COVID-19: Support for children’s education, a critical report about the poor performance of the DfE throughout the covid-19 pandemic. 

Report recommendations include the DfE to work with DHSC to address the needs of CYP with SEND, including no longer postponing the SEND Review, and work with DCSs to understand the recovery needs of vulnerable CYP. 

The full report is here

Alternative Provision Innovation Fund – DfE Evaluation Report

On 21 May 2021, DfE published an independent evaluation of the alternative provision innovation fund launched in March 2018 to improve outcomes for children in alternative provision.This research was commissioned Ecorys and Dr Lousie Gazeley of the University of Sussex to conduct an independent evaluation of the 9 innovation projects that were supported by the alternative provision innovation fund (APIF).

One of the 9 projects was The Turnaround Project (Portsmouth Education Partnership) which aims to improve the attainment and reintegration of YP in Key Stage Three in particular. It combines short-term AP placements with mentoring when the YP returns to mainstream school. Mentors also support the wider family. 

The full report is here.