UPDATE NO 471 17 September 2021

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 pdf version or word version to be signed and returned to us, after which they will be posted here. Thanks to East Sussex, Portsmouth and Windsor and Maidenhead for returning theirs.

SEND tribunal: extended appeals

On Sept 1, DfE published guidance for local authorities, health commissioners, parents and young people on the trial to extend powers of the SEND tribunal.

Following an independent evaluation of the national trial, which found positive impacts, the DfE has confirmed the extended powers given to the Tribunal will continue.

The guidance is here, the evaluation report is here.

Future dates for network meetings

Lead Members Group: Friday 8 October 9.30- 12.30. Expert Workshop #3: Understanding adolescents and the challenges and risks faced supporting and safeguarding complex young people. More information from Alison Michalska (contact details below)

Data Benchmarking: Thursday 9 December 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 and then Friday 12 November – both 10.00am. More information from Chris Owen (contact details below)

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

QA Network: Friday 10 December 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)

School-led Tutoring Grant

On 2 September, DfE published details of the School-led tutoring grant. All state-funded primary, middle and secondary schools and academy trusts in England will receive £202.50 per pupil for 60% of their pupils that are eligible for pupil premium (£529 in special schools and units).

The guidance is here and the conditions of grant are here

School-led tutoring is 1 of 3 subsidised tutoring options that are available through the national tutoring programme. The national tutoring programme supports disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils from year 1 to 11 to catch up on missed education due to COVID-19.

Early Help Network

Next month will see the first meeting for the SESLIP Early Help Network. Many thanks to Sarah Gee (Assistant Director, Early Help and Communities at Bracknell Forest) for providing the initial energy for this network, and to Grainne Siggins (DCS Bracknell Forest) for agreeing to sponsor this group.

Rebecca Eligon (contact details below) will be convening the group, and many thanks to all who have helped identify the Early Help Leads in each authority. Please let us know if there any changes to the list.