Newsletters
Updates
BBC Money Box Live
Care leavers and how they manage their money
On 26 June the BBC radio programme Money Box Live broadcast a 30-minute programme on Care leavers and how they manage their money
In this programme Felicity Hannah talks about what happens when you leave care. Without the bank of Mum and Dad, what financial support are those young people promised?
Headlines
Around 38,000 children move into care every year in the UK. That’s one every 15 minutes and a significant number of looked-after children will remain in the system until they reach adulthood. So what happens then?
We’re joined by Jess and Callum, two care leavers as well as Kirsty Doull, of CELCIS, Carrie Wilson-Harrop of Care Leavers Association and Clare Bracey of Become.
Academic year 2023/24: special educational needs in England
On 20 June DfE published SEND pupil census information, based on school census data.
Headlines
Over 1.6 million pupils in England have special educational needs (SEN)
An increase of 101,000 from 2023. This includes the number of pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan and the number of pupils with SEN support, both of which continue a trend of increases since 2016.
The impact of hardship on primary schools and primary and community healthcare
On 17 June Joseph Rowntree Foundation published The impact of hardship on primary schools and primary and community healthcare
Headlines
- On average, primary school staff estimate 48% of their pupils had experienced hardship at some point since the start of the school year; and primary and community healthcare staff estimated 57% of their patients had experienced hardship at some point over the last 12 months.
- 9 in 10 staff say that pupils or patients experiencing hardship has an impact on them as staff, their colleagues or the wider organisation they work for.
- 7 in 10 say supporting pupils or patients experiencing hardship is a challenge where they work; of those who say hardship is a challenge, two thirds say it makes it harder for them to do their job well.
Reminders From Previous Weeks
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children
Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT UK) has published a briefing on unaccompanied children in the UK
Headlines
The briefing sets out the legal judgements, outcomes and remaining challenges around caring for these children. Recommendations include a call for the UK Government to conduct an inquiry into the use of hotel accommodation for unaccompanied children.
Headlines
We are seeking 12 children’s librarians who are interested in developing their skills in working with families in the early years.
This offer of training is part of our DfE grant funded work. We are undertaking an action research project on how libraries can be a key partner in improving the home learning environment. It will help raise the profile of children’s librarians, so they are seen as part of the wider children’s workforce.
Please see here and here more details. On Wednesday 10 July 2-3pm on TEAMS we are holding an information session if you are interested in learning more or have any questions
Upskill yourself in Data Analytics
Data 2 Insight is promoting another cohort of the Children’s Services Data Analyst L4 apprenticeship, delivered by Corndel.
D2I hope that by providing more notice, and a longer application period, they can avoid the rush that some colleagues have had to prepare an application, and work around any summer absences which may be a factor. You can email georgina.pym@eastsussex.gov.uk if you’d like to register for either briefing session right now.
Applications open Friday 5 July
Applications open: 5 July 2024
Briefing session for potential applicants and/or managers: 11 July 2024
Briefing session for potential applicants and/or managers: 18 July 2024
Applications close: 13 September 2024
Learning commences: 31 October 2024
SESLIP Kinship Care Conference – booking now open
Save the Date – Monday 8 July 2024
We would love you and colleagues to come to our first in-person regional conference on Kinship Care.
The speakers are now all confirmed and the eventbrite is open for registration for our regional kinship care conference, the first event to be held in person. You need to secure your ticket via eventbrite to guarantee entry.
Click to sign up here: South East regional kinship care conference Tickets, Mon 8 Jul 2024 at 09:00 | Eventbrite
Please forward to colleagues who may be interested in attending. For further information contact rebeccaeligon@gmail.com.
Strengthening protections in unregistered alternative provision
On 9 May DfE launched a consultation on proposals to strengthen protections for children in unregistered alternative provision settings.
Closing date is Friday 5 July
Consultation closes Friday 5 July
This consultation is the next step in delivering on the government’s commitment to improving experiences and outcomes for children in unregistered alternative provision and builds on the findings from our previous Call for Evidence “Understanding the Use of Unregistered Alternative Provision”, the findings of which have helped shape this consultation.
DfE is seeking views on proposals which position unregistered alternative provision as an intervention, not a destination, to complement education in school.
We propose that all unregistered alternative provision will be subject to new proportionate quality assurance frameworks, underpinned by national standards.
Tools & Templates
We have produced a Regional Improvement Plan (June 2024)
On 26 June the BBC radio programme Money Box Live broadcast a 30-minute programme on Care leavers and how they manage their money
On 20 June DfE published SEND pupil census information, based on school census data.
On 17 June Joseph Rowntree Foundation published The impact of hardship on primary schools and primary and community healthcare
On 13 June The Fostering Network launched the 2024 State of the Nations’ Foster Care survey and it remains open until 30 June.
On 13 June DfE published Education and Health Care Plans 2024
On 6 June DfE published Schools, pupils and their characteristics 2023-2024
On 5 June Mr Justice Chamberlain published his final decision in the long running JR case involving ECPAT UK, Kent, Brighton and Hove and the Home Secretary and the Education Secratary. Neutral Citation Number: [2024] EWHC 1353 (Admin).On 24 May the Childrens’ Commissioner published Children’s experiences as victims of crime
On 21 May Data 2 Insight published Children’s Social Care for Data People, an overview of the system, stakeholders, common local practice, and necessary
knowledge for data professionals working in Children’s Social Care
On 15 May the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published Safeguarding Children in Elective Home Education
On 13 May DfE published Agency child and family social workers: data return and price caps
On 10 May the Children’s Commissioner published An Alternative Route: Post-16 support for young people attending Alternative Provision
On 9 May DfE launched a consultation on proposals to strengthen protections for children in unregistered alternative provision settings. Closing date is Friday 5 July
On 25 April the House of Commons Education Select Committee published the government’s response on Ofsted’s work with schools
On 18 April the DfE published 2022-2023 data on suspensions and permanent exclusions from schools in England
On 21 March DfE published School Capacity Data for 2022-2023
On 21 March DfE published pupil absence data for 2022-2023
On 21 March DfE published four new safety valve agreement
On 19 March LGA published Must Know: The role of a council leader in imporoving outcomes for children
On 7 March DfE published Maintained Schools Governance Guide and Academy Trust Governance Guide
On 5 March the Childrens’ Commissioner published Children on child in need plans
On 29 February DfE published annual data for Children’s social work workforce 2022-2023
On 29 February Ofsted published Social care common inspection framework (SCCIF): supported accommodation for looked after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17. Ofsted also published a report on the responses to the consultation on our inspection proposals
On 29 February the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse published Child sexual abuse in 2022/23: Trends in official data
On 20 February the Children’s Commissioner published Lost in transition? The destinations of children
who leave the state education system
On 20 February LGC released a podcast: The crisis in children’s services with Louise Gittins, Josh MacAlister, and Andy Smith