UPDATE NO 472 24 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.

Social Work England – consultation response on proposed increase to CPD requirements from one to two

In September 2021 Social Work England published the CPD consultation responses. Respondents generally approved of the proposed increase to the required amount of CPD to 2 pieces recorded per year. The average approval rating was 3.32 (max 5).

SWE explored this further at consultation events, where most attendees felt the increase was reasonable. This was echoed by ADCS; of those who disagreed, many did so because they thought it was too small an increase.

SWE will increase the CPD requirement to 2 pieces per year from 1 December 2021, and encourage social workers to record CPD once a quarter as good practice.

The full report is here.

Child sexual abuse: Child House

On 13 September DfE published guidance on the Child House model of support for children and young people affected by sexual abuse.

A Child House is a multiagency service model supporting children, young people and non-abusing parents and carers following child sexual abuse. The Home Office, NHS England (London), the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), and the Department for Education have provided funding to the Lighthouse – a national proof of concept pilot of the Child House model in north-central London.

The guidance document is here.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: health needs assessment

On 9 September DHSC published a health needs assessment for people living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), their carers and families, and those at risk of alcohol-exposed pregnancies.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to the range of neurodevelopmental problems caused by pre-natal exposure to alcohol.

This FASD health needs assessment provides an accessible and objective information resource on FASD, for use at national and local level and those with a personal or professional interest in the issue.

The guidance is here.

Pupil premium and recovery premium

On 6 September DfE published updated guidance on pupil premium and recovery premium.

The new rates for pupil premium are: Primary £1,345; Secondary £995; Children in care (including adopted and left care) £2,345.

The rates for recovery premium are: Mainstream £145; Special Unit £290; with a ‘floor’ payment of £2,000 per primary and £6,000 per secondary school.

Implementing Family Hubs – free online conference 2 November 2021 9:30-15:00

The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is hosting a virtual conference on Implementing Family Hubs on 2 November 2021. 

The event will launch the pilot of the Family Hubs Implementation Toolkit: a collection of coproduced resources aimed to support Local Authorities, Health, Education and VCS teams to implement Family Hubs in their local area. 

The event is suitable for Leaders, commissioners, or managers from Local Authorities, Health/CCGs, Education, or Voluntary and Community Sector.

Tutors will be Dr Camilla Rosan; Kate Dalzell; Professor Peter Fonagy; Donna Molloy; Ben Lewing

You can register 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 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: LA SEND Conversation 19 October 2021 More information from Tracey Maytas (contact details below)

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.