Management Information Sheet
Letter to All Schools From The Association of Educational Psychologists
We are aware of correspondence sent from the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) to all Norfolk schools in recent weeks. We have had some letters from headteachers following on from this, outlining their concern regarding the issues raised by the AEP.
We are writing to clarify the situation as we believe that the AEP letter was 'premature' somewhat regarding the issues it outlined; indeed we have met with the AEP recently to clarify the situation and we believe they were satisfied with the information we provided to them and their ability to be involved in the current process regarding our review of Educational Psychology, along with other SEN services.
As you will be aware, following the Big Conversation, the county council took a range of decisions in February at Full Council which confirmed the range of budget reductions that were necessary over the coming three years to deal with the issue of the £155million funding gap the council faces.
As you may also be aware, one of the agreed reductions is with regard to Special Educational Needs. This will require both a fundamental service redesign of a range of SEN services provided by children's services together with a review of funding within the dedicated school grant, which supports SEN, including the 100% delegation of such funding to schools from April 2012.
All of this review / project work is being led by Michael Bateman (Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning Manager) and Michael is currently arranging to meet with all headteachers via school cluster meetings; to outline the scope of the project, to explain how the autumn fair funding consultation will include information related to this and to gain school colleagues input into this 12 month project / process. In addition to these briefings, Michael is ensuring that all staff who works within the field of SEN in Children's Services is similarly involved, as well as key stakeholders.
An element of these briefings, and of particular relevance to the correspondence you received from the AEP, is that we are able to clarify that the indicative structure that the AEP refers to are not relevant within the project in its current stage. Those structure charts reflect information which was provided during the post Big Conversation period, when option appraisal was taking place. It was, in part, that process which led to the decision by Members not to ask for changes to SEN Services to take place from this June, as is the case for most parts of Children's Services, but instead to have a full service redesign process which will include all relevant stakeholders.
We do hope that this information helps to clarify the situation regarding the concerns raised by the AEP correspondence. If you do require further information at this stage please do contact Michael Bateman, Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning Manager direct on 01603 223760 or email michael.bateman@norfolk.gov.uk.
We are writing to clarify the situation as we believe that the AEP letter was 'premature' somewhat regarding the issues it outlined; indeed we have met with the AEP recently to clarify the situation and we believe they were satisfied with the information we provided to them and their ability to be involved in the current process regarding our review of Educational Psychology, along with other SEN services.
As you will be aware, following the Big Conversation, the county council took a range of decisions in February at Full Council which confirmed the range of budget reductions that were necessary over the coming three years to deal with the issue of the £155million funding gap the council faces.
As you may also be aware, one of the agreed reductions is with regard to Special Educational Needs. This will require both a fundamental service redesign of a range of SEN services provided by children's services together with a review of funding within the dedicated school grant, which supports SEN, including the 100% delegation of such funding to schools from April 2012.
All of this review / project work is being led by Michael Bateman (Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning Manager) and Michael is currently arranging to meet with all headteachers via school cluster meetings; to outline the scope of the project, to explain how the autumn fair funding consultation will include information related to this and to gain school colleagues input into this 12 month project / process. In addition to these briefings, Michael is ensuring that all staff who works within the field of SEN in Children's Services is similarly involved, as well as key stakeholders.
An element of these briefings, and of particular relevance to the correspondence you received from the AEP, is that we are able to clarify that the indicative structure that the AEP refers to are not relevant within the project in its current stage. Those structure charts reflect information which was provided during the post Big Conversation period, when option appraisal was taking place. It was, in part, that process which led to the decision by Members not to ask for changes to SEN Services to take place from this June, as is the case for most parts of Children's Services, but instead to have a full service redesign process which will include all relevant stakeholders.
We do hope that this information helps to clarify the situation regarding the concerns raised by the AEP correspondence. If you do require further information at this stage please do contact Michael Bateman, Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning Manager direct on 01603 223760 or email michael.bateman@norfolk.gov.uk.