Management Information Sheet
Delegation of Learning Support Funding to School Clusters from September 2013
As you will know, this year's Fair Funding consultation included the methodology for the delegation of Learning Support Funding to School Clusters from September 2013. The outcome of the consultation led to a recommendation, via the Schools Forum, for Norfolk County Council Cabinet to agree that 75% of the funding (approximately £1.5 million) should be delegated to school clusters and the remaining 25% (approximately £500k) would be used by the local authority to host discrete specialist countywide services on behalf of schools.
This MI Sheet is intended to advise schools regarding the implications of this decision and next steps during the remainder of the current academic year.
Implications
The teaching and specialist support assistant staff within the Learning Support Team (part of Educational Psychology and Specialist Support (EPSS)) have recently been briefed on the outcome of Fair Funding consultation and the implications for the service and for each of them individually.
The Learning Support Team will therefore be decommissioned on 31 August 2013 and 75% of the current funding for the team will be delegated to school clusters.
The current main functions funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant within the Learning Support Team are:
The remaining 25% of funding will be used to fund approximately 9 FTE posts to provide countywide discrete specialist support across SEN and disability. The Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning Team within the local authority is working with the Learning Difficulties & Disabilities Funding Sub-Group (of Schools Forum) regarding the purpose and function of these posts and further information on these will be available in the spring term during formal staff consultation.
However, at this stage it may be useful for schools to know that some of the functions that we are considering are:
Schools may also want to note that a cluster trading offer has been sent to all schools in relation to additional support for SEN pupils.
Next Steps
Below is a high level timeline regarding the decommissioning of the Learning Support Team:
This MI Sheet is intended to advise schools regarding the implications of this decision and next steps during the remainder of the current academic year.
Implications
The teaching and specialist support assistant staff within the Learning Support Team (part of Educational Psychology and Specialist Support (EPSS)) have recently been briefed on the outcome of Fair Funding consultation and the implications for the service and for each of them individually.
The Learning Support Team will therefore be decommissioned on 31 August 2013 and 75% of the current funding for the team will be delegated to school clusters.
The current main functions funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant within the Learning Support Team are:
| Learning Support Teams within each EPSS Divisional team & Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning |
|
| LAC Specialist Support Assistants in Divisions |
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| Advisory Learning Support Teachers |
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| Specialist Support ASD Assistants |
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| Access Through Technology |
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| Disability Co-ordinator |
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| Senior Specialist Lead Teacher for Looked After Children |
The remaining 25% of funding will be used to fund approximately 9 FTE posts to provide countywide discrete specialist support across SEN and disability. The Additional Needs Strategy & Commissioning Team within the local authority is working with the Learning Difficulties & Disabilities Funding Sub-Group (of Schools Forum) regarding the purpose and function of these posts and further information on these will be available in the spring term during formal staff consultation.
However, at this stage it may be useful for schools to know that some of the functions that we are considering are:
| Access Through Technology |
|
| Disability advice and guidance |
|
| Looked After Children advice and guidance |
Schools may also want to note that a cluster trading offer has been sent to all schools in relation to additional support for SEN pupils.
Next Steps
Below is a high level timeline regarding the decommissioning of the Learning Support Team:
| Second half of autumn term 2012 - ongoing staff briefings and communication to schools |
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| First half spring term 2013 - ongoing liaison with LDD Funding Sub-Group regarding purpose and function of countywide specialist support |
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| First half spring term 2013 - formal staff consultation |
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| Second half spring term 2013 - staffing adjustment process within the local authority |
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| September 2013 - Delegation of Learning Support funding to SEND Clusters |