Data diagnostics Projects 1,2 & 3: Data, DCS & Peer Challenge

The South East region has a strong tradition of data diagnostics, peer support and challenge

A large group of colleagues sitting together at a meeting table

Project 1: Data Benchmarking & Analysis

SESLIP’s Data Benchmarking Group  is supported as Project #1 in the 2025-2026 SESLIP Regional Improvement Plan. Data Benchmarking reports are produced for a range of data covering Children’s Social Care, Adoption, Early Help, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and Children’s Social Care Workforce.

Your can find out more about the group and its key outputs by clicking on one of the buttons below:

Projects 2 & 3: Peer Challenge in the South East

Peer challenge is a proven tool for improvement for councils. This year we are running two programmes:

SE DCS Peer Challenge (annual cycle)

SEND Courageous Conversations (annual cycle), a development from the Topical Peer Challenge cycle.

The 2025-2026 cycle of SE DCS Peer Challenge project supports National Framework Enabler 2 and National Framework Outcomes 1,2,3,4. Please click the here for more details of these

The 2025-2026 cycle of SEND Courageous Conversations project supports What Works in SEND Enablers 2. Please click the here for more details of these.

The SEND Courageous Conversations have developed from the topical peer challenge process. These are commissioned by a single council and involve a small team of peers and partners spending time at the council to provide challenge and share learning. It involves engaging with a wide range of people connected with the council (including health, education and third sector partners) involvement, not just local authority staff. and the findings are delivered immediately.

The DCS and Lead Member triad/quartet peer challenge process involves participants from three or four authorities meeting once every year or every two years. These facilitated events are structured around authority and lead member self-assessments, with informed challenge and support from peer colleagues.  

Please click here to find out more about SESLIP’s Topical Peer Challenge programme and details on previous DCS Peer Challenges.

Contact Details

Data Benchmarking: Luke Ede (East Sussex)

Luke.ede@eastsussex.gov.uk

07925 148597

SESLI Programme Manager: Richard Tyndall (South East Sector-Led Improvement Programme)

richard.tyndall@richardtyndall.co.uk

07880 787007

SESLIP Improvement Consultant: Isabelle Gregory (South East Sector-Led Improvement Programme)

isabelle@firstcareconsultancy.co.uk