UPDATE NO 466 13 August 2021

Regional Recovery and Building Back Better Fund

On 13 August, we submitted a response to the DfE’s invitation to apply to the Regional Recovery and Building Back Better Fund. The application is for £2.4m spread across 24 projects.

Many thanks to all who contributed to this bid, which will now be considered by the DfE. Announcements are expected in September.

Regional Improvement Plan 2021-2022

A revised Regional Improvement Plan for 2021-2022 has been published.

It contains 35 workstreams and sets out plans to invest £2.7m in improvement projects, subject to DfE approval of our funding application.

SESLIP Memorandum of Understanding 2021-2022

The Memorandum of Understanding which underpins our regional work has been revised and updated to reflect the requirements of the DfE’s Regional Recovery and Building Back Better Fund.

We are now asking each partner to arrange for the Memorandum to be signed and returned to us, after which they will be posted here

Future dates for network meetings

Lead Members Group: Tuesday 17 August 2021 9:00-11:30. Expert workshop on UASC and the National Transfer Scheme. More information from Alison Michalska (contact details below)

Data Benchmarking: Tuesday 14 September 2021. More information from Alastair Lee (contact details below)

Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board: Tuesday 12 October 2021. More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

AD Education: Friday 17 September – 10.00am. More information from Chris Owen (contact details below)

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

QA Network: Friday 10 September 2021. 2pm – 5pm. More information from Amanda Meadows (contact details below)

Fostering Network: 10.30am Monday 4 October 2021. More information from Rebecca Eligon (contact details below)

SEND SE19: Preparing for Adulthood Forum 21 September 2021 13:30 – 15:30 More information from Tracey Maytas (contact details below)

Tackling violence against women and girls strategy

On 21 July 2021, DfE published Tackling violence against women and girls strategy

The strategy document is here, and an accompanying progress log is here

National Adoption Strategy

On 26 July 2021, DfE launched the new National Adoption Strategy. The strategy paper is here 

Backed by £48m, it is set to improve adoption services in England by putting in place better recruitment across the country and removing any unnecessary delays, through more training for front line staff, improving approval process and funding for targeted recruitment campaigns.

Criminalisation rate for children in residential care reduces further

On 22 July 2021, the Howard League for Penal Reform published new data showing that hundreds more boys and girls can look forward to a brighter future as government figures reveal the transformative impact of the Howard League’s programme to end the criminalisation of children in residential care.

In the year ending March 2014, 15 per cent of children in children’s homes received a caution or conviction; in the year ending March 2020, this proportion was reduced to 5 per cent.

Read more here

Permanent Exclusion Statistics

On 29 July 2021, DfE published statistics for Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England: 2019 to 2020

They show an overall decrease (linked to school partial closure), but there was a 5% increase in PEx in autumn 2019-20. South-east had the lowest rate of PEx and boys have a three times higher rate of PEx.

The details are here.

National pupil population estimates to 2026

On 22 July 2021, DfE published national pupil population estimates to 2026. 

The growth in secondary population is projected to plateau from 2024.