Changes to Access to Computer Technology (ACT) Service

I am writing to inform you about important changes to the way in which the above service will operate after 31st March 2016. This service has traditionally been funded to provide Norfolk children in care with a computer for use at home, supporting their wider learning and ability to work independently. Last year we tried to make the service more responsive to individuals needs by looking at more bespoke packages for learners and also the introduction of a new scheme to support young people in care in further education (FE) and higher education (HE). The service, ACT, has traditionally provided over 200 computers for children in care in Norfolk on an annual basis.

However, a reduction in the core budget has meant that we have had to review how the service can operate into the future yet still continue to provide support for Norfolk's children in care and this has included liaising with the Norfolk Virtual School for Children in Care. This budget reduction comes into effect from 31st March 2016. To try and ensure a reasonable transition to the new arrangements set out in this letter, a date of 31st May 2016 has been set for these arrangements to come into effect.

Therefore from 31st May 2016 the service will no longer be in a position to purchase and fund computers from its core budget. This will mean that social workers and young people would need to request the provision of a personal computer for educational use at home from their school or educational setting. Schools and settings can apply for pupil premium funding for the appropriate IT resource (e.g. laptop, tablet, desktop). The school or educational setting can then ensure that they procure a suitable machine for the young person which is compatible with their own IT infrastructure and would be covered by their own IT maintenance contract. Schools and settings should contact us at the point of pupil request to ensure that ACT provides them with E-safety software.

ACT will ensure that on every machine bought in the manner set out above, that there is appropriate E-safety software which monitors use and provides E-safety alerts which are monitored through ACT and the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Alerts can be triggered through such things as the use of key words in social media for example, or through browsing inappropriate sites. The full cost of this provision can be met within the new reduced budget. Our service coordinator, Sharon Arthurton, will liaise with all schools purchasing a machine to ensure that this software is made available free of charge and renewed as and when appropriate. Please contact us on 01603 303366.

ACT will also ensure that all the young people are provided with appropriate E-safety training. This is a new part of the service and has been embedded as part of our on-going discussions with schools and the Norfolk Virtual School. This will help ensure that the young person is provided with real guidance on how to keep themselves safe on-line and how to report any concerns that they may have.

In addition the coordinator will work with a range of other partners and strategic services to provide an enhanced package of support for the individual children in care. This will take a holistic approach and provide opportunities for children in care to access a range of initiatives supporting their social, emotional and educational well-being. These will include revision and educational booster sessions, bespoke activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), experiential learning, self-development and skills development. The coordinator will work closely with designated teachers in educational settings to ensure that activities and opportunities are communicated as well as working with the In Care Council to ensure that the children and young people themselves are listened too. Recent developments in this area saw ACT provide opportunities for young people to take first aid qualifications for example, something which the In Care Council suggested that children in care would want.

Therefore in summary, the main changes can be seen as:

• Schools / educational establishments would purchase appropriate IT provision through the use of pupil premium and their own procurement systems
• Maintenance, repairs and compatibility would be provided through the schools / settings existing ICT infrastructure
• ACT will provide E-Safety software for these machines at no cost to the school
• ACT will monitor E-Safety alerts and co-ordinate responses through and with the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH)
• ACT will update this software as appropriate
• ACT will provide E-safety training for all of Norfolk's children in care (LAC) free to all schools
• ACT will co-ordinate a county-wide programme of educational enhancement such as GCSE revision sessions, booster activities, residential learning and development courses and as appropriate qualifications and awards
• ACT will continue to maintain and repair any computer provided through ACT prior to 31 May 2016 and until it needs replacement. Replacement will be through the school and the use of pupil premium. Repairs to equipment purchased through the school / setting will no longer be covered by ACT.
• ACT will continue to provide a bespoke computer package for children in care entering FE and HE

ACT will therefore cease to accept referrals from schools and social workers after 31st May 2016. Instead requests after this date should be made directly to the school where the child or young person in care attends.

Should you have any questions about these new arrangements or wish to discuss any particular aspect of these changes, please feel free to contact Sharon Arthurton on 01603 303366 or email: cs.act@norfolk.gov.uk