dudley schools forum
TRANSCRIPT
At Saltwells Education Development Centre, Bowling Green Road,
Dudley
Agenda - Public Session (Meeting open to the public and press)
1. Introductions by the Chair
2. Apologies for absence.
3. To report the appointment of any substitutes for this meeting of the Forum.
4. To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting of the
Forum held on 29th January, 2019 (attached).
5. Any other matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 29th January, 2019, not included on the agenda for this meeting.
6. Dedicated Schools Grant Stage 2 Budget Planning – Centrally Retained Service Approvals 2019/20 (Pages 1 – 11)
7. Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (Pages 12 – 16)
8. People Directorate Verbal Update
Chief Executive Dated: 21st February, 2019
Distribution: Members of Dudley Schools Forum Mrs Baker, Mrs Beale, Mrs Belcher, Ms Clatworthy, Mrs Cox, Mr Dunn, Mrs
Hannaway, Mrs Howard, Mr Jasper, Mr Kelay, Mr Kulyk, Mr Lambert, Mr Leyshon,
Mrs Mander, Mrs Mann, Mr Moody, Mr Mynott, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Oakley, Mr Reid, Mr
Ridney, Mr Roe, Mrs Ruffles, Mrs Withers and Mrs Wylie.
Non-Voting Attendees
Councillor S Ridney - Cabinet Member for Children and Young People; Councillor A Millward - Chair of Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee; M Samuels – Strategic Director People; S Butcher – Chief Officer Children’s Services; N Hoskinson – Head of Education Outcomes S Carter – Finance Manager People Services; S Coates – Senior Principal Accountant;
L Jones-Moore – Senior Principal Accountant.
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Minutes of Dudley Schools Forum
Tuesday 29th January, 2019 at 6.00 pm At Saltwells Education Development Centre, Bowling Green Road,
Dudley
Present:
Mr L Ridney (Chair) Mrs R Wylie (Vice-Chair) (withdrew from the meeting at Minute No. 39) Mrs C Beale, Mrs J Belcher, Ms K Clatworthy, Mrs R Cox, Mr S Derham, Mrs A Hannaway, Mr A Jasper, Mr M Kelay, Mr M Lambert, Mrs R Mann, Mr M Moody, Mr M Mynott, Mr P Nesbitt, Mr B Oakley, Mr B Roe, Mrs M Stowe and Mrs G Withers. Officers: S Butcher – Chief Officer Children’s Services, I Lahel – Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership, L Brazier – Consultant Commissioning SEND 0-25 and SIS (All People Directorate); S Carter - Finance Manager, S Coates – Senior Principal Accountant, L Jones-Moore – Senior Principal Accountant and K Taylor – Democratic Services Officer (All Chief Executive’s Directorate) Also in attendance: Councillor S Ridney – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
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Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Ms Baker, Mr R Dunn, Mrs V Howard, Mr J Kulyk, Mr P Leyshon, Mrs A Mander and Mr T Reid; N Hoskinson and M Samuels.
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Appointment of Substitute Members
It was noted that Mr S Derham and Mrs M Stowe had been appointed as substitute members for Mrs V Howard and Ms J Baker, respectively, for this meeting of the Forum only.
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Minutes
Resolved
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That the minutes of the Dudley Schools Forum meeting held on 27th November, 2018, be approved as a correct record and signed.
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Matters Arising from the Minutes
In referring to Minute No. 29 with regard to a transfer of funds to the High Needs Block and Submission of a Disapplication Request to the Secretary of State for Education, Forum Members were informed of the recent announcement by the Department for Education of additional funding awarded to the High Needs Block. Although the funding was welcomed, this would not fully mitigate the spending pressures within the High Needs Block. The Local Authority agreed to proceed with the disapplication request at a reduced level of 0.5%, which equated to £1m, and remodelled the financial recovery plan to reflect this reduction. A revised breakdown of the overspend position and the allocation of funding to individual schools was circulated at the meeting.
It was noted that the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) had requested that a formal vote be undertaken by Schools Forum on the revised disapplication request, and given the tight deadlines, Members were asked to vote on this matter.
A number of representatives commented that, although the recommended transfer had reduced, the financial position faced by schools had not changed. It was considered that the financial impact on school budgets was too significant to support the disapplication.
A non-school member stated that, although the numbers had decreased, there was still a number of Local Authorities that had submitted disapplication requests.
A Secondary School Headteacher commented positively on the proposals and supported the transfer of 0.5%, in particular that the suggested financial recovery plan was a commitment to supporting vulnerable children.
A Primary School Head Teacher raised concerns on the potential impact to vulnerable children and staff employment as a result of increasing budget deficits.
In responding to a question by an Academy Member, the Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership confirmed that work in regard of the Financial Recovery Plan was progressing, including an extensive recruitment programme, and undertook to provide regular updates to the Budget Working Group and Forum Members on progress made.
It was further reported that a draft 0-25 SEND Strategy would be presented to the Cabinet. The outcomes of the service specific reviews, including Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and School Improvement Service, would be provided to Forum Members, together with feedback from a ‘follow up’ Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review visit that was currently being undertaken.
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In responding to a question by an Academy Member, the Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership confirmed that partnership working between the Local Authority and Health was linked to the Commissioning Strategy and Dudley Disability Service.
Following further discussion, all representatives were requested to vote on the following:-
Question
Yes No Abstain
Do you agree to transfer 0.5% (approximately £1.00m) from the Schools Block to High Needs Block for 2019/20?
6 12 0
Resolved
(1) That Schools Forum do not support the submission of a Disapplication Request to the Secretary of State for Education to transfer 0.5% of the Schools Block funding for 2019/20 to the High Needs Block.
(2) That the Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership be requested to e-mail School Forum Members with an update on the progress made in respect of the Financial Recovery Plan.
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Dedicated Schools Grant Budget Process 2019/20
A report of the Strategic Director People was submitted on the 2019/20 Dedicated Schools Grant budget process. A copy of Dudley’s Authority Proforma Tool (APT) that had been submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) was tabled at the meeting.
The Finance Manager and Senior Principal Accountants presented the report in detail, referring members to paragraphs of specific importance and stated that further reports on the central expenditure budget allocation for schools would be submitted to the Forum in March 2019 for approval. A summary of the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant for 2019/20 was outlined in Table 1 of the report submitted.
It was noted that the Schools Block Units of Funding for primary and secondary sectors in 2019/20 was £4,077.30 and £5,119.13, respectively, and that the National Minimum Funding Guarantee would continue to ensure that no school received more than 1.5% per pupil reduction in 2019/20.
The Senior Principal Accountant confirmed that information from the January 2018 Early Years Census, Schools and Alternative Provision Census would be updated in the Summer of 2019 and the Spring of 2020 in order to produce the Early Years Block allocations for the financial year 2019/20.
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It was noted that the deadline for the submission of the 2019/20 financial year APT was 21st January, 2019, however due to the timescales of the disapplication request to transfer 0.5% of funding from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block, ESFA had requested submission of the APT based on the authorities’ assumption. It was confirmed that the APT reflected the assumption that the disapplication request would be approved.
The Finance Manager stated that in the event that the disapplication request was declined, then an amended APT would be circulated and forwarded to Forum Members. It was confirmed that the figures that would be affected were in relation to the capping factor and Minimum Funding Guarantee.
A further update would also be provided at a future meeting of Schools Forum following a meeting of the HTCF-BWG in regard to the Pupil Growth Fund.
Resolved
(1) That the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) settlement for 2019/20 and the impact for Dudley, be noted.
(2) That further DSG updates, to include the central expenditure budget allocations for Schools Forum approval, be submitted to the meetings of the Forum on 5th and 26th March, 2019.
(3) That a Minimum Funding Guarantee for 2019/20 greater than minus 1.5% per pupil as detailed in Dudley’s Authority Proforma Tool (APT), be approved.
(4) That Dudley’s APT Proforma submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), tabled as Appendix 1 of the report submitted, be noted.
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Pupil Growth Fund 2018/19 and 2019/20
A report of the Strategic Director People was submitted on the latest financial information regarding funding allocated from the pupil growth fund contingency for the 2018/19 financial year and the new growth funding allocation received in the National Funding Formula for the 2019/20 financial year.
In presenting the report the Senior Principal Accountant referred to the £334k funding that had been allocated to six schools in respect of an additional 135 pupils for the period of 1st September, 2018 to 31st March, 2019. It was noted that the remaining balance of £166k would be added to the Dedicated Schools Grant contingency reserve for 2018/19.
Resolved
That the latest financial information regarding funding allocated from the pupil growth fund contingency for the 2018/19 financial year and the growth fund allocation received in the National Funding Formula for the 2019/20 financial year, be noted.
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School and Early Years Finance (England) (No.2) Regulations 2018
A report of the Strategic Director People was submitted on an update in respect of the latest amendments to the School and Early Years Finance Regulations 2018, as advised by Central Government.
Resolved
That the amendments to the School and Early Years Finance Regulations 2018 effective from 7th December, 2018 relating to financial year 2019/20 only, be noted.
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People Directorate Update
The Chief Officer Children’s Services provided Forum Members with an update on the following issues:-
SEND Peer Review – It was confirmed that a review was currently being undertaken on the progress made on recommendations following a Peer Review in 2018, and any feedback would be shared with Schools Forum accordingly.
Action Plan - An Action Plan had been developed, which would be incorporated into a three year plan to improve the Councils rating by Ofsted.
The Troubled Families Programme - A visit from the Department for Communities and Local Government had been undertaken regarding the troubled families programme, and it was confirmed that the Local Authority was on target with implementing recommended improvements, and had been awarded an additional grant of £250k.
Key Performance Indicator – The Chief Officer Children’s Services would be attending Corporate Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 31st January, 2019 to discuss the position in relation to the proportion of children and young people who attend a good or outstanding school.
Budget – The overspend budget constraints in regard of agency spend and children looked after placements was highlighted, and it was indicated that the main challenges were in relation to high cost placements.
Head of Education Outcomes- It was noted that the recruitment process was taking place for the permanent position of Head of Education Outcomes.
The meeting ended at 6.55 pm
CHAIR
Agenda Item No. 6
Dudley Schools Forum – 5th March 2019 Report of the Strategic Director People
Dedicated Schools Grant Stage 2 Budget Planning – Centrally Retained Service Approvals 2019/20 Purpose of Report 1. For Schools Forum to consider and approve the local authority’s requests in
respect of the centrally retained expenditure to be met from the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2019/20.
Schools Forum Role and Responsibilities
2. The Forum is the ‘guardian’ of the local Schools Budget, and its distribution among schools and other bodies, and therefore must be closely involved throughout the development process.
3. Appendix A refers to the detailed roles and responsibilities of Schools Forum.
Recommendations 4. Schools Forum to :
To approve the central expenditure budgets for 2019/20, as detailed in
Table 1; To approve the central expenditure budgets for 2019/20, as detailed in
Table 2; To approve the central expenditure budgets for 2019/20, as detailed in
Table 3.
Background Consultation 5. Schools Forum approval is required each year to confirm the amounts on each
line of the centrally retained expenditure. Appendix A sets out the level of approval required for each service which are shown in two categories of this report.
a. Table 1 – Schools Forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis;
b. Table 2 – Schools Forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis, the budget cannot exceed the value agreed in the previous funding period and no new commitments can be entered into.
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6. When using centrally held funding, local authorities must treat maintained schools and academies on an equivalent basis.
Central Expenditure Budgets 2019/20 – Schools Forum Approval 7. For Table 1, Schools Forum must approve each item of expenditure, however
there is no restriction placed by the Regulations on the value of the budget. There are however requirements for 2019/20 included in Table 1:
a. The Early Years Block centrally retained provision must be no greater than 5% of the funding set aside to meet provider hourly rate payments for three and four year old nursery education funding. Based on December 2018 provisional DSG allocation the funding to be set aside for three and four year old nursery education is £15.060m, then 5% equates to central expenditure of no more than £0.753m. Dudley is proposing to set a centrally retained early year’s budget of £0.465m (Table 1) which equates to 3.1% and well within the DfE threshold.
Table 1 – 2019/20 Central Expenditure Budgets For Schools Forum Approval – No Restrictions on Value
Central spend on
Value for 2018/19
Value for 2019/20
Nil
Nil
Early years centrally retained spending: from the early years proforma on children under 5. Will be part of the early years pass through budget and outside of 5% limit
Early Years Budgets in respect of delegated service items
9,600
9,600
416,000
Early Years Pupil Premium and Free School Meals Entitlement co- ordination
30,400 39,800
Total Early Years Expenditure £535,200 £465,400 See Appendix B for details
Places in independent schools for non-SEN pupils
£403,700 £397,200 In making any grant or other payment in respect of fees or expenses (of whatever nature) which are payable in connection with the attendance of pupils at a school which is not maintained by any local authority.
Relates to 9 non SEN pupils some with residential accommodation These placements relate to either looked after children (LAC) or children on the edge of care.
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Admissions
£289,600 £288,300 Expenditure incurred in connection with the Authority’s functions. This includes the administration of the system of admissions of pupils to schools.
Servicing of schools forum
£13,000 £13,000 Expenditure incurred in connection with the authority’s functions of running the (establishment and maintenance of, and consultation with, schools forums).
8. For Table 2, Forum must approve each item of expenditure detailed, there is a
restriction placed up to the value committed in 2017/18 and where expenditure has already been committed.
Table 2 – 2019/20 Central Expenditure Budgets For Schools Forum Approval – Restricted to Cash Limit of 2017/18 Expenditure Central spend on
Value for 2018/19
Value for 2019/20
Comments
Capital expenditure funded from revenue Projects must have been planned and decided on prior to April 2013 so no new projects can be charged.
Nil
Nil
Expenditure commonly known as CERA (capital expenditure which an authority expects to charge to a revenue account of the authority within the meaning of section 22 of the Local Government Act 2003).
Contribution to combined budgets This is where the schools forum agreed prior to April 2013 a contribution from the schools budget to services which would otherwise be funded from other sources:
Astley Burf
School Visits
Nil £40,000 £42,000 £34,000
Expenditure under this heading should only reflect the contribution to a combined service approved by the Schools Forum.
See Appendix C for service details
Existing termination of employment costs (costs for specific individuals must have been approved prior to April 2013 so no new redundancy costs can be charged)
£66,700 £66,700 Expenditure in respect of premature retirement costs, or for the purposes of securing the resignation of any person employed in a maintained school where there are consequential savings to the schools budget and such cost have been approved by the Schools Forum.
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Prudential borrowing costs The commitment must have been approved prior to April 2013
none none
De- Delegations 2019/20 9. Schools Forum approved the de-delegations for 2019/20 at the 27th November
2018 meeting. These are now summarised in Table 3, for information.
10. The value of Table 3 is based on the number of maintained mainstream schools as at 17 January 2019. However, where any school converts to an academy after that date then the value of the funding de-delegated for 2019/20 will decrease during the financial year.
Table 3 –2019/20 De-delegations Approved By Schools Forum – Maintained Primary and Secondary Schools split
De-delegation Services for Mainstream Maintained Schools 2019/20
Budgets for De-delegation
2019/20 Primary Sector
Behavioural Pupil Referral Unit – Primary Outreach Service
190,736 0 190,736
272,803 20,670 293,473
Annual Consultation Process
11. The Regulations also state that the Local Authority must consult with the Schools Forum annually in respect of the following in order that Schools Forum can give a view. Arrangements for pupils with special educational needs and in particular:
the places to be commissioned by the local authority in different schools; and
other institutions, and the arrangements for paying top-up funding to schools and other institutions.
Arrangements for use of pupil referral units and the education of children otherwise than at school and in particular:
the places to be commissioned by the authority and by schools in pupil referral units and other providers of alternative provision; and
the arrangements for paying top-up funding to pupil referral units and other providers of alternative provision.
Arrangements for early years provision. Administration arrangements for the allocation of central government grants.
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12. Further detailed information will be provided at the 26th March 2019 meeting.
Budget Working Group Discussed – Yes 27 February 2019. Finance
13. From 1st April 2006, the Schools Budget has been funded by a direct grant;
Dedicated School Grant (DSG). Law
14. The Schools Forum is a statutory decision making and consultative body
constituted in line with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, and its associated regulations, including the Schools Forum (England) Regulations 2012, to enable members of the local school community to work in partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council when making decisions about school funding and finances.
15. The funding of schools is prescribed by the Department for Education (DfE) through the School and Early Years Finance (England) (No.2) Regulations 2018.
Equality Impact 16. This report has no direct implications for the Council’s commitment to equality
and diversity.
Human Resources /Transformation 17. This report has no direct implications for human resources or service
transformation. Commercial Implications
18. There is no impact on the potential to commercially trade and no impact on our
customer base. …………………………………………..
List of Background Papers –
Appendix B – Central Expenditure Early Years
Appendix C – Contribution to a Combined Budget
Approval required
Services covered (and funding block)
Schools forum approval is not required (although it is deemed good practice to consult forum)
high needs block provision;
Schools forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis
early years block provision funding to enable all schools to meet the infant class size requirement;
back-pay for equal pay claims;
remission of boarding fees at maintained schools and academies;
places in independent schools for non-SEN pupils;
admissions;
contribution to responsibilities that local authorities hold for schools.
Schools forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis. The budget cannot exceed the value agreed in the previous funding period and no new commitments can be entered into.
capital expenditure funded from revenue – projects must have been planned and decided on prior to April 2013 so no new projects can be charged;
contribution to combined budgets – this is where the schools forum agreed prior to April 2013 a contribution from the schools budget to services which would otherwise be funded from other sources;
existing termination of employment costs (costs for specific individuals must have been approved prior to April 2013 so no new redundancy costs can be charged);
prudential borrowing costs – the commitment must have been approved prior to April 2013.
Schools forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis, including approval of the criteria for allocating funds to schools.
funding for significant pre-16 pupil growth, including new schools set up to meet basic need, whether maintained or academy;
funding for good or outstanding schools with falling rolls where growth in pupil numbers is expected within three years.
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1. Early Years Foundation Stage Advice
Remit of the Service
To provide advisory teacher support, training, advice and challenge for private, voluntary, independent (PVI) and school early years settings with children 0-5 years
- 84 reception classes - 57 school based nurseries & pre-schools - 82 Ofsted registered PVI settings - 121 childminders
Focus: - Improving quality of teaching and learning - Narrowing attainment gaps/ improving children’s outcomes - Achieving and retaining at least a good Ofsted judgement – all sectors
Priorities for 2019/20
Identified through; strategic analysis of all available qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions regarding universal and targeted support including; Ofsted, school and setting vulnerabilities, Dudley and national priorities
Supporting improvement in proportion of children achieving a Good Level Of Development
Contributing to the diminishing the difference agenda for vulnerable groups – particularly disadvantaged
Prioritisation of support around Communication and Language outcomes to close the word gap in early years (as identified as Ambition 1 in the DfE social mobility plan ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential’)
Increasing and maintaining the proportion of children attending good/ outstanding early years provision across all sectors
Supporting the development of new settings to ensure quality provision is offered
Continued support for the Virtual School for Children Looked After through attendance at PEPs for early years and primary age children and delivery of play therapy where needed
To ensure the LA EYFSP moderation statutory duties are covered
Encourage all borough provision to adopt an evidence- based screening tool to identify on-entry and address speech, communication and language difficulties
Ensure settings are making robust judgements, about where children are developmentally/their progress and are planning effective interventions.
Contribute to improved early years outcomes and quality across the region by supporting the current SRIB projects, coordinating the DfE Early Years Professional Development Project (from September 19). Also the Black Country Early Outcomes project (from April 19) if the bid is successful
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Working alongside other services to deliver on nurture and resilience agenda and development of multi-agency school ready strategy
To manage the Early Years Inclusion Funding (EIF) process to enable settings to access additional support for children with low-level or emerging SEND
Integrated Education and Health Review for Two Year Olds – continue to work with health colleagues in developing a coordinated approach.
How will we achieve these priorities?
Termly contact or support visit for all PVI providers by QTS adviser, Area SENCO, Birth to Three adviser if setting has under 3s and allocation of additional targeted support if required. Advisory support allocated to newly registered and vulnerable childminders
Supporting and challenging inadequate, requires improvement, not yet inspected and vulnerable settings through site visits, training, facilitation of good practice visits and ‘Leadership Quality Support Network’.
Sector-specific termly EYFS update meetings for school and PVI setting leaders and on-going information sharing through the Jigsaw early years e-bulletin
A central training programme of approx. 50 courses with in-house bespoke training option - all sectors
Development of the annual exhibition and workshops at Looking Glass Centre. New theme (opening March 19) will focus on Improving Speech, Language and Communication.
Attendance when requested at school and PVI networks.
Sharing of good practice from a range of projects e.g. Physical Development project
Delivery of standardised, nationally recognised, quality audits (ECERS 3, ITERS, SSTEW, MOVERS)
Delivery of information sessions and training on specific screening and intervention programmes e.g. Early Talk Boost, Talk Boost, WELLCOMM
Coordination and delivery of the EYFSP moderation programme of meetings and visits
Facilitation of agreement trialling opportunities for groups of PVI leaders.
Identification of appropriate language champions in targeted settings that will support their sector to improve outcomes in this area
To support settings to apply for EIF funding and identify appropriate resources, training and interventions. To monitor the impact of the funding on progress.
Ofsted Inspection Data
All PVI early years provision – up to August 2018 (supplied by Ofsted Nov 2018)
96% good/outstanding against National and West Midlands of 95%
24% outstanding against National of 19% and West Midlands 18%
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Schools (current)
Of 44 schools that have now received a separate EYFS judgement, 38 (86%) had their EYFS provision judged as at least Good and our one nursery school has retained it’s outstanding judgement
In 15 schools (34%) the EYFS grade has been higher than the overall school grade, the figure is 17% nationally and 20% for the West Midlands. In 30 schools, the EYFS grade has been the same and in one school, the EYFS grade was lower.
Early Years Foundation Stage Outcomes Data Summary 2018
The percentage of children attaining a Good Level of Development has improved but not at the same rate as national average.
Reduction in disadvantaged gaps with outcomes behind national
The EAL gap significantly reduced in 2018 following a focus in provider forums and relaunch of LA created EAL tracker
The gender gap having reduced in 2017 has now widened again
SEND – children on support plans – outcomes remain above national
2. Early Years Pupil Premium and Free School Meals Entitlement co- ordination Staff administering the data collections required.
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Contribution to a Combined Service Approved by the Schools Forum
1. Astley Burf
The contribution from the DSG enables the centre to offer the outdoor adventure
experience to children who are eligible for free school meals at no charge, the
centre has been able to remain financially viable.
2. Staying Safe on School Trips
These funds provide the framework for the risk assessment of off-site educational
visits for Dudley children and young people. The continuing costs to host the
website, and the maintenance of the on-line system used for reporting and
recording the visits are also supported from these funds, as well as employing an
officer to support the system and offer support, advice and guidance. A review of
the trading options will be undertaken during 2019/20.
3. School Safeguarding Trainer The postholder continues to deliver safeguarding training and other learning and
development functions and support to enable schools to adhere to their statutory
duties as defined by the Education Act 2002 for safeguarding children in
Education. This includes single agency training to all education settings across
Dudley, supporting the overarching safeguarding role and functions of
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL’s), Headteachers, Governor’s, Teaching
and non-teaching staff.”
4. Place Planning Support Officer
The funding continues to support the Place Planning Support officer post with
much needed resilience within the team, providing critical support for this
function. This involves improving and updating the pupil forecasting model on an
annual basis which in turn links directly to the local authority mandatory DfE
School Capacity Return and informs the Basic Need Capital Allocation. The post
also enables the team to provide IMD deprivation data profiles to all schools
derived from School Census returns.
Positive performance indicators to highlight are:
Successful submission of SCAP return to DfE (School Capacity and Places)
including valid and relevant pupil data and speedily return of DfE queries
arising from scrutiny;
Successful scrutiny and challenge of potential pupil yield from future housing
developments including the submission of Section 106 applications where a
positive impact to availability of pupil places is projected. This is an on-going
exercise with significant housing developments planned for future years
around the borough;
Pupil projection model functioning well within the 1% DfE recommended
tolerance band;
regarding place planning data and cross-border information.
5. Pupil Census
The funding has been used for staffing to support the School Census, Early
Years Census, Alternative Provision Census and Consistent Financial Reporting
(CFR) statutory data collections. This has enabled more detailed work to be
performed to investigate the eligibility and therefore maximise the Pupil Premium
funding for schools, in particular working with the Free School Meals team to
highlight where pupils had been authorised to receive a free school meal but not
included as such on their School Census return meaning the school would have
lost out on £1,320 per primary child, £935 per secondary child and £1,900 per
Child Looked After, if not included. For instance, in the October 2018 Census
there were 210 children who were identified as eligible for Free School Meals,
who were not included in the School Census. Other work performed concerned
the pupil data for the new Early Years Pupil Premium. This requires a large
amount of work to identify exactly which children these were and which school
nurseries they attended in order for the funding to be given appropriately.
Work has focused in supporting schools to further improve the quality of pupil
data in schools by collecting the pupil data more often and informing schools of
any missing or inaccurate data they hold in order to maximise any funding they
are entitled to. Additionally this improved data quality will support schools with
their pupil admissions by identifying the children that need to apply for the
relevant primary or secondary school place. Support is also provided for school
transfers and as the DfE administrator link for education systems.
6. Education Liaison
The post holder continues to support the development of child protection services
across Education. The post holder attend DART (Domestic Abuse Response
Team) and MARAC ( Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) to ensure that
information is shared with agencies including data about children and their
families who have been subject to Domestic Abuse within the home. The
numbers of Domestic Abuse notifications and cases presented to MARAC have
increased since last year. The post holder will, in conjunction with the Schools
Safeguarding Trainer, develop a course on Domestic Abuse specifically for
schools.
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Agenda Item No. 7
Dudley Schools Forum – 5th March 2019 Report of the Strategic Director People Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding Purpose of Report
1. To provide information to Schools Forum on the funding available to support early years children with SEND in the Dudley Borough.
Schools Forum Role and Responsibilities 2. From 1 April 2006, the Schools Budget has been funded by a direct Department
for Education (DfE) grant: the Dedicated School Grant (DSG).
3. Schools Forum is the ‘guardian’ of the local Schools Budget, and its distribution among schools and other bodies, and therefore must be closely involved throughout the development process.
Recommendation
4. To receive the report from the Childcare Lead – Family Solutions on the proposed level of funding to be made available to the PVI and maintained early years sector for early years SEND children in the Dudley Borough in 2019/20.
Background 5. The Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF) introduced in April 2017, sets the
hourly funding rates that each local authority is provided with to deliver the universal and additional entitlements for three and four year olds. In 2019/20, the Local Authority is required to pass on 95% of their three and four year old Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) – Early Years Block funding to early years providers and use a single base rate for all providers. Dudley introduced a single base rate in April 2017.
6. Local Authorities (LA’s) are required by the EYNFF to specifically deliver an Early Years Inclusion Fund (EYIF) for 3 and 4 year olds who are accessing their free early education entitlement. The purpose of the fund is to further assist early years providers to implement strategies to support children’s learning and development. The national guidance also stated that LA’s should target funding at children with “emerging or lower level SEND.
7. Before any annual adjustments or changes are made the LA is required to consult with maintained schools, academies and the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) early years sector in the area, as well as with Schools Forum.
8. The Early Years Provider Reference Group (EYPRG) will also be consulted to provide an opportunity for private, voluntary and independent early years sector, the maintained sector and academies have representation for their constituent groups.
9. Following consultation the Local Authority will set the value of the local EY Inclusion
Fund. Providers will be advised as to the value of the funds before 31st March 2019.
Eligibility 10. Dudley LA targets EY Inclusion Funding at children with emerging or lower level SEND.
Children with more complex needs and those in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are eligible to receive funding via the High Needs Block of the DSG. Early Years Inclusion Funding applies to children attending settings and schools in the Dudley borough regardless of where they live.
11. The national operational guidance states that 2 year olds are not eligible for the Early
Years Inclusion Fund. However to ensure consistent support for children with SEND and their families. Dudley will continue to make this funding available to 2 year olds and administer it in line with the Early Years Inclusion Fund process.
12. We estimate that based on pupils known to the Specialist Early Years Service (SEYS)
there are approximately 120 children annually who will qualify for funding from the High Needs Block for complex and high level needs. Approximately 79 children have received funding in 2018/19 for emerging and lower level needs.
13. As part of our continued duty to ensure proper use of public funds and to ensure
funding achieves its intended purpose, we have introduced robust monitoring and evaluation of how funding is used and sought clear evidence of impact. Providers must demonstrate that they have undertaken an appropriate assessment of children’s individual needs and have utilised existing resources and practice to support emerging needs and have consulted with the Dudley Area SENCO’s (for emerging and low level needs) or one of the services within Specialist Education (SEYS, VI, HI, PIMIS for higher level of full funding) before making an application for EYIF.
14. Providers must consult with Dudley Area SENCO’s before making an application for
EYIF. The Early Years Specialist Service (SEYS) and ASENCO’s, through regular reviews and gathering of evidence of impact, have collated examples of good practice and have disseminated their findings across the early years sector.
Financial Implications Funding
15. Local Authorities are required to establish their EY Inclusion Funds using funding from
either one or both of their Early Years Block and High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.
16. The value of the fund must take in to account the number of early years children with
SEND in the Dudley borough, their level of need and the overall capacity of the local childcare market to support these children.
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17. On 2018/19 assumptions, £0.120m would be required in 2019/20 to support emerging and lower level needs. The Revenue Budget for 2018/19 for the EY Inclusion Fund is £0.215m and the current forecast is likely to underspend by £0.095m. The final budget for 2019/20 will be confirmed by 31 March 2019, and will be ring fenced within the Early Years Block, the budget will be monitored on a regular basis and when the budget is expended, there will be no additional funding.
18. The lower take-up of this funding may be attributed to the introduction of a more robust
application process prior to submitting an application. In addition, to the support and challenge offered to them by the ASENCO’s to ensure providers firstly consider utilising existing resources and skills; and the consequent monitoring and evaluation of the use of funds.
19. Children with higher and more complex needs will access funding from the High Needs
Block via the Dedicated Schools Grant, the current estimate based on existing need is £0.226m and is included within the draft 2019/20 budget.
20. Funding is reviewed regularly as both the allocation process and the 30-hour entitlement continue to bed in. Proposed allocations are based on estimated need and will be subject to review through local evaluation, and consulted on at Schools Forum as necessary.
Allocation of funding
21. The LA consulted with early years providers, parents and SEND specialists on how the
Early Years Inclusion Fund (EYIF) would be allocated, as part of the preparation and review of the ‘Local Offer’. Under the ‘Local Offer’, the local authority publishes details on how they intend to use the EYIF to support early years SEND children.
22. An EY SEND panel was established to allocate funding to schools and settings for
targeted SEND support for children with higher level or more complex needs. The EY strategic lead officer supported by Dudley Area SENCO’s allocates EYIF to support emerging and lower level SEND for 2, 3 and 4yr olds.
23. The local authority passes on the Early Years Inclusion Fund to providers in the form of
one-off grants or allocation of funding to support one to one on a case-by-case basis as agreed by the EY SEND panel.
Budget Working Group Discussed
Finance
25. From 1 April 2006, the Schools Budget has been funded by a direct grant: Dedicated
School Grant (DSG).
Law
26. Schools Forum is a statutory decision making and consultative body constituted in line
with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, and its associated regulations, including the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2012, to enable members of the local school community to work in partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council when making decisions about school funding and finances.
14
Equality Impact
27. This report has no direct implications for the Council’s commitment to equality and diversity.
Human Resources /Transformation
28. This report has no direct implications for human resources or service transformation. Commercial Implications
29. There is no impact on the potential to commercially trade and no impact on our
customer base.
Attachments
15
Emerging:
Children who are monitored due to a delay in their learning and development.
For eligible children:
Lower level:
Children who require occasional adult support to participate in the provision. However, without intervention, the child’s outcomes may deteriorate.
For eligible children:
Higher or more complex SEND.
Children assessed as having a delay in one or more prime areas of learning and whose needs are targeted through the SEND graduated approach. These children will require regular adult support to participate in the provision. Children with higher and more complex needs may be supported with an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) and are funded via the Higher Needs block of DSG
For eligible children who require:
Enhanced SEND support
Complex SEND support
Higher Needs:
£10.36 per hour (To support 1 : 1)
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Agenda - Public Session (Meeting open to the public and press)
1. Introductions by the Chair
2. Apologies for absence.
3. To report the appointment of any substitutes for this meeting of the Forum.
4. To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting of the
Forum held on 29th January, 2019 (attached).
5. Any other matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 29th January, 2019, not included on the agenda for this meeting.
6. Dedicated Schools Grant Stage 2 Budget Planning – Centrally Retained Service Approvals 2019/20 (Pages 1 – 11)
7. Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (Pages 12 – 16)
8. People Directorate Verbal Update
Chief Executive Dated: 21st February, 2019
Distribution: Members of Dudley Schools Forum Mrs Baker, Mrs Beale, Mrs Belcher, Ms Clatworthy, Mrs Cox, Mr Dunn, Mrs
Hannaway, Mrs Howard, Mr Jasper, Mr Kelay, Mr Kulyk, Mr Lambert, Mr Leyshon,
Mrs Mander, Mrs Mann, Mr Moody, Mr Mynott, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Oakley, Mr Reid, Mr
Ridney, Mr Roe, Mrs Ruffles, Mrs Withers and Mrs Wylie.
Non-Voting Attendees
Councillor S Ridney - Cabinet Member for Children and Young People; Councillor A Millward - Chair of Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee; M Samuels – Strategic Director People; S Butcher – Chief Officer Children’s Services; N Hoskinson – Head of Education Outcomes S Carter – Finance Manager People Services; S Coates – Senior Principal Accountant;
L Jones-Moore – Senior Principal Accountant.
Please note the following important information:
In the event of the alarms sounding, please leave the building by the nearest exit.
There are Officers who will assist you in the event of this happening, please follow
their instructions.
There is no smoking on the premises in line with national legislation. It is an
offence to smoke in or on these premises.
The use of mobile devices or electronic facilities is permitted for the purposes of
recording/reporting during the public session of the meeting. The use of any such
devices must not disrupt the meeting – Please turn off any ringtones or set your
devices to silent.
If you (or anyone you know) is attending the meeting and requires assistance to
access the venue and/or its facilities, please contact us in advance and we will do
our best to help you.
Members can submit apologies by contacting Democratic Services. The
appointment of any Substitute Member(s) should be notified to Democratic
Services at least one hour before the meeting starts.
The Democratic Services contact officer for this meeting is Karen Taylor,
Telephone 01384 818116 or E-mail [email protected]
Information about the Council and our meetings can be viewed on the website
Minutes of Dudley Schools Forum
Tuesday 29th January, 2019 at 6.00 pm At Saltwells Education Development Centre, Bowling Green Road,
Dudley
Present:
Mr L Ridney (Chair) Mrs R Wylie (Vice-Chair) (withdrew from the meeting at Minute No. 39) Mrs C Beale, Mrs J Belcher, Ms K Clatworthy, Mrs R Cox, Mr S Derham, Mrs A Hannaway, Mr A Jasper, Mr M Kelay, Mr M Lambert, Mrs R Mann, Mr M Moody, Mr M Mynott, Mr P Nesbitt, Mr B Oakley, Mr B Roe, Mrs M Stowe and Mrs G Withers. Officers: S Butcher – Chief Officer Children’s Services, I Lahel – Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership, L Brazier – Consultant Commissioning SEND 0-25 and SIS (All People Directorate); S Carter - Finance Manager, S Coates – Senior Principal Accountant, L Jones-Moore – Senior Principal Accountant and K Taylor – Democratic Services Officer (All Chief Executive’s Directorate) Also in attendance: Councillor S Ridney – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
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Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Ms Baker, Mr R Dunn, Mrs V Howard, Mr J Kulyk, Mr P Leyshon, Mrs A Mander and Mr T Reid; N Hoskinson and M Samuels.
35
Appointment of Substitute Members
It was noted that Mr S Derham and Mrs M Stowe had been appointed as substitute members for Mrs V Howard and Ms J Baker, respectively, for this meeting of the Forum only.
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Minutes
Resolved
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That the minutes of the Dudley Schools Forum meeting held on 27th November, 2018, be approved as a correct record and signed.
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Matters Arising from the Minutes
In referring to Minute No. 29 with regard to a transfer of funds to the High Needs Block and Submission of a Disapplication Request to the Secretary of State for Education, Forum Members were informed of the recent announcement by the Department for Education of additional funding awarded to the High Needs Block. Although the funding was welcomed, this would not fully mitigate the spending pressures within the High Needs Block. The Local Authority agreed to proceed with the disapplication request at a reduced level of 0.5%, which equated to £1m, and remodelled the financial recovery plan to reflect this reduction. A revised breakdown of the overspend position and the allocation of funding to individual schools was circulated at the meeting.
It was noted that the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) had requested that a formal vote be undertaken by Schools Forum on the revised disapplication request, and given the tight deadlines, Members were asked to vote on this matter.
A number of representatives commented that, although the recommended transfer had reduced, the financial position faced by schools had not changed. It was considered that the financial impact on school budgets was too significant to support the disapplication.
A non-school member stated that, although the numbers had decreased, there was still a number of Local Authorities that had submitted disapplication requests.
A Secondary School Headteacher commented positively on the proposals and supported the transfer of 0.5%, in particular that the suggested financial recovery plan was a commitment to supporting vulnerable children.
A Primary School Head Teacher raised concerns on the potential impact to vulnerable children and staff employment as a result of increasing budget deficits.
In responding to a question by an Academy Member, the Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership confirmed that work in regard of the Financial Recovery Plan was progressing, including an extensive recruitment programme, and undertook to provide regular updates to the Budget Working Group and Forum Members on progress made.
It was further reported that a draft 0-25 SEND Strategy would be presented to the Cabinet. The outcomes of the service specific reviews, including Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and School Improvement Service, would be provided to Forum Members, together with feedback from a ‘follow up’ Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review visit that was currently being undertaken.
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In responding to a question by an Academy Member, the Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership confirmed that partnership working between the Local Authority and Health was linked to the Commissioning Strategy and Dudley Disability Service.
Following further discussion, all representatives were requested to vote on the following:-
Question
Yes No Abstain
Do you agree to transfer 0.5% (approximately £1.00m) from the Schools Block to High Needs Block for 2019/20?
6 12 0
Resolved
(1) That Schools Forum do not support the submission of a Disapplication Request to the Secretary of State for Education to transfer 0.5% of the Schools Block funding for 2019/20 to the High Needs Block.
(2) That the Head of Integrated Commissioning Performance and Partnership be requested to e-mail School Forum Members with an update on the progress made in respect of the Financial Recovery Plan.
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Dedicated Schools Grant Budget Process 2019/20
A report of the Strategic Director People was submitted on the 2019/20 Dedicated Schools Grant budget process. A copy of Dudley’s Authority Proforma Tool (APT) that had been submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) was tabled at the meeting.
The Finance Manager and Senior Principal Accountants presented the report in detail, referring members to paragraphs of specific importance and stated that further reports on the central expenditure budget allocation for schools would be submitted to the Forum in March 2019 for approval. A summary of the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant for 2019/20 was outlined in Table 1 of the report submitted.
It was noted that the Schools Block Units of Funding for primary and secondary sectors in 2019/20 was £4,077.30 and £5,119.13, respectively, and that the National Minimum Funding Guarantee would continue to ensure that no school received more than 1.5% per pupil reduction in 2019/20.
The Senior Principal Accountant confirmed that information from the January 2018 Early Years Census, Schools and Alternative Provision Census would be updated in the Summer of 2019 and the Spring of 2020 in order to produce the Early Years Block allocations for the financial year 2019/20.
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It was noted that the deadline for the submission of the 2019/20 financial year APT was 21st January, 2019, however due to the timescales of the disapplication request to transfer 0.5% of funding from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block, ESFA had requested submission of the APT based on the authorities’ assumption. It was confirmed that the APT reflected the assumption that the disapplication request would be approved.
The Finance Manager stated that in the event that the disapplication request was declined, then an amended APT would be circulated and forwarded to Forum Members. It was confirmed that the figures that would be affected were in relation to the capping factor and Minimum Funding Guarantee.
A further update would also be provided at a future meeting of Schools Forum following a meeting of the HTCF-BWG in regard to the Pupil Growth Fund.
Resolved
(1) That the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) settlement for 2019/20 and the impact for Dudley, be noted.
(2) That further DSG updates, to include the central expenditure budget allocations for Schools Forum approval, be submitted to the meetings of the Forum on 5th and 26th March, 2019.
(3) That a Minimum Funding Guarantee for 2019/20 greater than minus 1.5% per pupil as detailed in Dudley’s Authority Proforma Tool (APT), be approved.
(4) That Dudley’s APT Proforma submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), tabled as Appendix 1 of the report submitted, be noted.
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Pupil Growth Fund 2018/19 and 2019/20
A report of the Strategic Director People was submitted on the latest financial information regarding funding allocated from the pupil growth fund contingency for the 2018/19 financial year and the new growth funding allocation received in the National Funding Formula for the 2019/20 financial year.
In presenting the report the Senior Principal Accountant referred to the £334k funding that had been allocated to six schools in respect of an additional 135 pupils for the period of 1st September, 2018 to 31st March, 2019. It was noted that the remaining balance of £166k would be added to the Dedicated Schools Grant contingency reserve for 2018/19.
Resolved
That the latest financial information regarding funding allocated from the pupil growth fund contingency for the 2018/19 financial year and the growth fund allocation received in the National Funding Formula for the 2019/20 financial year, be noted.
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School and Early Years Finance (England) (No.2) Regulations 2018
A report of the Strategic Director People was submitted on an update in respect of the latest amendments to the School and Early Years Finance Regulations 2018, as advised by Central Government.
Resolved
That the amendments to the School and Early Years Finance Regulations 2018 effective from 7th December, 2018 relating to financial year 2019/20 only, be noted.
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People Directorate Update
The Chief Officer Children’s Services provided Forum Members with an update on the following issues:-
SEND Peer Review – It was confirmed that a review was currently being undertaken on the progress made on recommendations following a Peer Review in 2018, and any feedback would be shared with Schools Forum accordingly.
Action Plan - An Action Plan had been developed, which would be incorporated into a three year plan to improve the Councils rating by Ofsted.
The Troubled Families Programme - A visit from the Department for Communities and Local Government had been undertaken regarding the troubled families programme, and it was confirmed that the Local Authority was on target with implementing recommended improvements, and had been awarded an additional grant of £250k.
Key Performance Indicator – The Chief Officer Children’s Services would be attending Corporate Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 31st January, 2019 to discuss the position in relation to the proportion of children and young people who attend a good or outstanding school.
Budget – The overspend budget constraints in regard of agency spend and children looked after placements was highlighted, and it was indicated that the main challenges were in relation to high cost placements.
Head of Education Outcomes- It was noted that the recruitment process was taking place for the permanent position of Head of Education Outcomes.
The meeting ended at 6.55 pm
CHAIR
Agenda Item No. 6
Dudley Schools Forum – 5th March 2019 Report of the Strategic Director People
Dedicated Schools Grant Stage 2 Budget Planning – Centrally Retained Service Approvals 2019/20 Purpose of Report 1. For Schools Forum to consider and approve the local authority’s requests in
respect of the centrally retained expenditure to be met from the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2019/20.
Schools Forum Role and Responsibilities
2. The Forum is the ‘guardian’ of the local Schools Budget, and its distribution among schools and other bodies, and therefore must be closely involved throughout the development process.
3. Appendix A refers to the detailed roles and responsibilities of Schools Forum.
Recommendations 4. Schools Forum to :
To approve the central expenditure budgets for 2019/20, as detailed in
Table 1; To approve the central expenditure budgets for 2019/20, as detailed in
Table 2; To approve the central expenditure budgets for 2019/20, as detailed in
Table 3.
Background Consultation 5. Schools Forum approval is required each year to confirm the amounts on each
line of the centrally retained expenditure. Appendix A sets out the level of approval required for each service which are shown in two categories of this report.
a. Table 1 – Schools Forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis;
b. Table 2 – Schools Forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis, the budget cannot exceed the value agreed in the previous funding period and no new commitments can be entered into.
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6. When using centrally held funding, local authorities must treat maintained schools and academies on an equivalent basis.
Central Expenditure Budgets 2019/20 – Schools Forum Approval 7. For Table 1, Schools Forum must approve each item of expenditure, however
there is no restriction placed by the Regulations on the value of the budget. There are however requirements for 2019/20 included in Table 1:
a. The Early Years Block centrally retained provision must be no greater than 5% of the funding set aside to meet provider hourly rate payments for three and four year old nursery education funding. Based on December 2018 provisional DSG allocation the funding to be set aside for three and four year old nursery education is £15.060m, then 5% equates to central expenditure of no more than £0.753m. Dudley is proposing to set a centrally retained early year’s budget of £0.465m (Table 1) which equates to 3.1% and well within the DfE threshold.
Table 1 – 2019/20 Central Expenditure Budgets For Schools Forum Approval – No Restrictions on Value
Central spend on
Value for 2018/19
Value for 2019/20
Nil
Nil
Early years centrally retained spending: from the early years proforma on children under 5. Will be part of the early years pass through budget and outside of 5% limit
Early Years Budgets in respect of delegated service items
9,600
9,600
416,000
Early Years Pupil Premium and Free School Meals Entitlement co- ordination
30,400 39,800
Total Early Years Expenditure £535,200 £465,400 See Appendix B for details
Places in independent schools for non-SEN pupils
£403,700 £397,200 In making any grant or other payment in respect of fees or expenses (of whatever nature) which are payable in connection with the attendance of pupils at a school which is not maintained by any local authority.
Relates to 9 non SEN pupils some with residential accommodation These placements relate to either looked after children (LAC) or children on the edge of care.
2
Admissions
£289,600 £288,300 Expenditure incurred in connection with the Authority’s functions. This includes the administration of the system of admissions of pupils to schools.
Servicing of schools forum
£13,000 £13,000 Expenditure incurred in connection with the authority’s functions of running the (establishment and maintenance of, and consultation with, schools forums).
8. For Table 2, Forum must approve each item of expenditure detailed, there is a
restriction placed up to the value committed in 2017/18 and where expenditure has already been committed.
Table 2 – 2019/20 Central Expenditure Budgets For Schools Forum Approval – Restricted to Cash Limit of 2017/18 Expenditure Central spend on
Value for 2018/19
Value for 2019/20
Comments
Capital expenditure funded from revenue Projects must have been planned and decided on prior to April 2013 so no new projects can be charged.
Nil
Nil
Expenditure commonly known as CERA (capital expenditure which an authority expects to charge to a revenue account of the authority within the meaning of section 22 of the Local Government Act 2003).
Contribution to combined budgets This is where the schools forum agreed prior to April 2013 a contribution from the schools budget to services which would otherwise be funded from other sources:
Astley Burf
School Visits
Nil £40,000 £42,000 £34,000
Expenditure under this heading should only reflect the contribution to a combined service approved by the Schools Forum.
See Appendix C for service details
Existing termination of employment costs (costs for specific individuals must have been approved prior to April 2013 so no new redundancy costs can be charged)
£66,700 £66,700 Expenditure in respect of premature retirement costs, or for the purposes of securing the resignation of any person employed in a maintained school where there are consequential savings to the schools budget and such cost have been approved by the Schools Forum.
3
Prudential borrowing costs The commitment must have been approved prior to April 2013
none none
De- Delegations 2019/20 9. Schools Forum approved the de-delegations for 2019/20 at the 27th November
2018 meeting. These are now summarised in Table 3, for information.
10. The value of Table 3 is based on the number of maintained mainstream schools as at 17 January 2019. However, where any school converts to an academy after that date then the value of the funding de-delegated for 2019/20 will decrease during the financial year.
Table 3 –2019/20 De-delegations Approved By Schools Forum – Maintained Primary and Secondary Schools split
De-delegation Services for Mainstream Maintained Schools 2019/20
Budgets for De-delegation
2019/20 Primary Sector
Behavioural Pupil Referral Unit – Primary Outreach Service
190,736 0 190,736
272,803 20,670 293,473
Annual Consultation Process
11. The Regulations also state that the Local Authority must consult with the Schools Forum annually in respect of the following in order that Schools Forum can give a view. Arrangements for pupils with special educational needs and in particular:
the places to be commissioned by the local authority in different schools; and
other institutions, and the arrangements for paying top-up funding to schools and other institutions.
Arrangements for use of pupil referral units and the education of children otherwise than at school and in particular:
the places to be commissioned by the authority and by schools in pupil referral units and other providers of alternative provision; and
the arrangements for paying top-up funding to pupil referral units and other providers of alternative provision.
Arrangements for early years provision. Administration arrangements for the allocation of central government grants.
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12. Further detailed information will be provided at the 26th March 2019 meeting.
Budget Working Group Discussed – Yes 27 February 2019. Finance
13. From 1st April 2006, the Schools Budget has been funded by a direct grant;
Dedicated School Grant (DSG). Law
14. The Schools Forum is a statutory decision making and consultative body
constituted in line with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, and its associated regulations, including the Schools Forum (England) Regulations 2012, to enable members of the local school community to work in partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council when making decisions about school funding and finances.
15. The funding of schools is prescribed by the Department for Education (DfE) through the School and Early Years Finance (England) (No.2) Regulations 2018.
Equality Impact 16. This report has no direct implications for the Council’s commitment to equality
and diversity.
Human Resources /Transformation 17. This report has no direct implications for human resources or service
transformation. Commercial Implications
18. There is no impact on the potential to commercially trade and no impact on our
customer base. …………………………………………..
List of Background Papers –
Appendix B – Central Expenditure Early Years
Appendix C – Contribution to a Combined Budget
Approval required
Services covered (and funding block)
Schools forum approval is not required (although it is deemed good practice to consult forum)
high needs block provision;
Schools forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis
early years block provision funding to enable all schools to meet the infant class size requirement;
back-pay for equal pay claims;
remission of boarding fees at maintained schools and academies;
places in independent schools for non-SEN pupils;
admissions;
contribution to responsibilities that local authorities hold for schools.
Schools forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis. The budget cannot exceed the value agreed in the previous funding period and no new commitments can be entered into.
capital expenditure funded from revenue – projects must have been planned and decided on prior to April 2013 so no new projects can be charged;
contribution to combined budgets – this is where the schools forum agreed prior to April 2013 a contribution from the schools budget to services which would otherwise be funded from other sources;
existing termination of employment costs (costs for specific individuals must have been approved prior to April 2013 so no new redundancy costs can be charged);
prudential borrowing costs – the commitment must have been approved prior to April 2013.
Schools forum approval is required on a line-by-line basis, including approval of the criteria for allocating funds to schools.
funding for significant pre-16 pupil growth, including new schools set up to meet basic need, whether maintained or academy;
funding for good or outstanding schools with falling rolls where growth in pupil numbers is expected within three years.
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1. Early Years Foundation Stage Advice
Remit of the Service
To provide advisory teacher support, training, advice and challenge for private, voluntary, independent (PVI) and school early years settings with children 0-5 years
- 84 reception classes - 57 school based nurseries & pre-schools - 82 Ofsted registered PVI settings - 121 childminders
Focus: - Improving quality of teaching and learning - Narrowing attainment gaps/ improving children’s outcomes - Achieving and retaining at least a good Ofsted judgement – all sectors
Priorities for 2019/20
Identified through; strategic analysis of all available qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions regarding universal and targeted support including; Ofsted, school and setting vulnerabilities, Dudley and national priorities
Supporting improvement in proportion of children achieving a Good Level Of Development
Contributing to the diminishing the difference agenda for vulnerable groups – particularly disadvantaged
Prioritisation of support around Communication and Language outcomes to close the word gap in early years (as identified as Ambition 1 in the DfE social mobility plan ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential’)
Increasing and maintaining the proportion of children attending good/ outstanding early years provision across all sectors
Supporting the development of new settings to ensure quality provision is offered
Continued support for the Virtual School for Children Looked After through attendance at PEPs for early years and primary age children and delivery of play therapy where needed
To ensure the LA EYFSP moderation statutory duties are covered
Encourage all borough provision to adopt an evidence- based screening tool to identify on-entry and address speech, communication and language difficulties
Ensure settings are making robust judgements, about where children are developmentally/their progress and are planning effective interventions.
Contribute to improved early years outcomes and quality across the region by supporting the current SRIB projects, coordinating the DfE Early Years Professional Development Project (from September 19). Also the Black Country Early Outcomes project (from April 19) if the bid is successful
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Working alongside other services to deliver on nurture and resilience agenda and development of multi-agency school ready strategy
To manage the Early Years Inclusion Funding (EIF) process to enable settings to access additional support for children with low-level or emerging SEND
Integrated Education and Health Review for Two Year Olds – continue to work with health colleagues in developing a coordinated approach.
How will we achieve these priorities?
Termly contact or support visit for all PVI providers by QTS adviser, Area SENCO, Birth to Three adviser if setting has under 3s and allocation of additional targeted support if required. Advisory support allocated to newly registered and vulnerable childminders
Supporting and challenging inadequate, requires improvement, not yet inspected and vulnerable settings through site visits, training, facilitation of good practice visits and ‘Leadership Quality Support Network’.
Sector-specific termly EYFS update meetings for school and PVI setting leaders and on-going information sharing through the Jigsaw early years e-bulletin
A central training programme of approx. 50 courses with in-house bespoke training option - all sectors
Development of the annual exhibition and workshops at Looking Glass Centre. New theme (opening March 19) will focus on Improving Speech, Language and Communication.
Attendance when requested at school and PVI networks.
Sharing of good practice from a range of projects e.g. Physical Development project
Delivery of standardised, nationally recognised, quality audits (ECERS 3, ITERS, SSTEW, MOVERS)
Delivery of information sessions and training on specific screening and intervention programmes e.g. Early Talk Boost, Talk Boost, WELLCOMM
Coordination and delivery of the EYFSP moderation programme of meetings and visits
Facilitation of agreement trialling opportunities for groups of PVI leaders.
Identification of appropriate language champions in targeted settings that will support their sector to improve outcomes in this area
To support settings to apply for EIF funding and identify appropriate resources, training and interventions. To monitor the impact of the funding on progress.
Ofsted Inspection Data
All PVI early years provision – up to August 2018 (supplied by Ofsted Nov 2018)
96% good/outstanding against National and West Midlands of 95%
24% outstanding against National of 19% and West Midlands 18%
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Schools (current)
Of 44 schools that have now received a separate EYFS judgement, 38 (86%) had their EYFS provision judged as at least Good and our one nursery school has retained it’s outstanding judgement
In 15 schools (34%) the EYFS grade has been higher than the overall school grade, the figure is 17% nationally and 20% for the West Midlands. In 30 schools, the EYFS grade has been the same and in one school, the EYFS grade was lower.
Early Years Foundation Stage Outcomes Data Summary 2018
The percentage of children attaining a Good Level of Development has improved but not at the same rate as national average.
Reduction in disadvantaged gaps with outcomes behind national
The EAL gap significantly reduced in 2018 following a focus in provider forums and relaunch of LA created EAL tracker
The gender gap having reduced in 2017 has now widened again
SEND – children on support plans – outcomes remain above national
2. Early Years Pupil Premium and Free School Meals Entitlement co- ordination Staff administering the data collections required.
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Contribution to a Combined Service Approved by the Schools Forum
1. Astley Burf
The contribution from the DSG enables the centre to offer the outdoor adventure
experience to children who are eligible for free school meals at no charge, the
centre has been able to remain financially viable.
2. Staying Safe on School Trips
These funds provide the framework for the risk assessment of off-site educational
visits for Dudley children and young people. The continuing costs to host the
website, and the maintenance of the on-line system used for reporting and
recording the visits are also supported from these funds, as well as employing an
officer to support the system and offer support, advice and guidance. A review of
the trading options will be undertaken during 2019/20.
3. School Safeguarding Trainer The postholder continues to deliver safeguarding training and other learning and
development functions and support to enable schools to adhere to their statutory
duties as defined by the Education Act 2002 for safeguarding children in
Education. This includes single agency training to all education settings across
Dudley, supporting the overarching safeguarding role and functions of
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL’s), Headteachers, Governor’s, Teaching
and non-teaching staff.”
4. Place Planning Support Officer
The funding continues to support the Place Planning Support officer post with
much needed resilience within the team, providing critical support for this
function. This involves improving and updating the pupil forecasting model on an
annual basis which in turn links directly to the local authority mandatory DfE
School Capacity Return and informs the Basic Need Capital Allocation. The post
also enables the team to provide IMD deprivation data profiles to all schools
derived from School Census returns.
Positive performance indicators to highlight are:
Successful submission of SCAP return to DfE (School Capacity and Places)
including valid and relevant pupil data and speedily return of DfE queries
arising from scrutiny;
Successful scrutiny and challenge of potential pupil yield from future housing
developments including the submission of Section 106 applications where a
positive impact to availability of pupil places is projected. This is an on-going
exercise with significant housing developments planned for future years
around the borough;
Pupil projection model functioning well within the 1% DfE recommended
tolerance band;
regarding place planning data and cross-border information.
5. Pupil Census
The funding has been used for staffing to support the School Census, Early
Years Census, Alternative Provision Census and Consistent Financial Reporting
(CFR) statutory data collections. This has enabled more detailed work to be
performed to investigate the eligibility and therefore maximise the Pupil Premium
funding for schools, in particular working with the Free School Meals team to
highlight where pupils had been authorised to receive a free school meal but not
included as such on their School Census return meaning the school would have
lost out on £1,320 per primary child, £935 per secondary child and £1,900 per
Child Looked After, if not included. For instance, in the October 2018 Census
there were 210 children who were identified as eligible for Free School Meals,
who were not included in the School Census. Other work performed concerned
the pupil data for the new Early Years Pupil Premium. This requires a large
amount of work to identify exactly which children these were and which school
nurseries they attended in order for the funding to be given appropriately.
Work has focused in supporting schools to further improve the quality of pupil
data in schools by collecting the pupil data more often and informing schools of
any missing or inaccurate data they hold in order to maximise any funding they
are entitled to. Additionally this improved data quality will support schools with
their pupil admissions by identifying the children that need to apply for the
relevant primary or secondary school place. Support is also provided for school
transfers and as the DfE administrator link for education systems.
6. Education Liaison
The post holder continues to support the development of child protection services
across Education. The post holder attend DART (Domestic Abuse Response
Team) and MARAC ( Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) to ensure that
information is shared with agencies including data about children and their
families who have been subject to Domestic Abuse within the home. The
numbers of Domestic Abuse notifications and cases presented to MARAC have
increased since last year. The post holder will, in conjunction with the Schools
Safeguarding Trainer, develop a course on Domestic Abuse specifically for
schools.
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Agenda Item No. 7
Dudley Schools Forum – 5th March 2019 Report of the Strategic Director People Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding Purpose of Report
1. To provide information to Schools Forum on the funding available to support early years children with SEND in the Dudley Borough.
Schools Forum Role and Responsibilities 2. From 1 April 2006, the Schools Budget has been funded by a direct Department
for Education (DfE) grant: the Dedicated School Grant (DSG).
3. Schools Forum is the ‘guardian’ of the local Schools Budget, and its distribution among schools and other bodies, and therefore must be closely involved throughout the development process.
Recommendation
4. To receive the report from the Childcare Lead – Family Solutions on the proposed level of funding to be made available to the PVI and maintained early years sector for early years SEND children in the Dudley Borough in 2019/20.
Background 5. The Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF) introduced in April 2017, sets the
hourly funding rates that each local authority is provided with to deliver the universal and additional entitlements for three and four year olds. In 2019/20, the Local Authority is required to pass on 95% of their three and four year old Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) – Early Years Block funding to early years providers and use a single base rate for all providers. Dudley introduced a single base rate in April 2017.
6. Local Authorities (LA’s) are required by the EYNFF to specifically deliver an Early Years Inclusion Fund (EYIF) for 3 and 4 year olds who are accessing their free early education entitlement. The purpose of the fund is to further assist early years providers to implement strategies to support children’s learning and development. The national guidance also stated that LA’s should target funding at children with “emerging or lower level SEND.
7. Before any annual adjustments or changes are made the LA is required to consult with maintained schools, academies and the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) early years sector in the area, as well as with Schools Forum.
8. The Early Years Provider Reference Group (EYPRG) will also be consulted to provide an opportunity for private, voluntary and independent early years sector, the maintained sector and academies have representation for their constituent groups.
9. Following consultation the Local Authority will set the value of the local EY Inclusion
Fund. Providers will be advised as to the value of the funds before 31st March 2019.
Eligibility 10. Dudley LA targets EY Inclusion Funding at children with emerging or lower level SEND.
Children with more complex needs and those in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are eligible to receive funding via the High Needs Block of the DSG. Early Years Inclusion Funding applies to children attending settings and schools in the Dudley borough regardless of where they live.
11. The national operational guidance states that 2 year olds are not eligible for the Early
Years Inclusion Fund. However to ensure consistent support for children with SEND and their families. Dudley will continue to make this funding available to 2 year olds and administer it in line with the Early Years Inclusion Fund process.
12. We estimate that based on pupils known to the Specialist Early Years Service (SEYS)
there are approximately 120 children annually who will qualify for funding from the High Needs Block for complex and high level needs. Approximately 79 children have received funding in 2018/19 for emerging and lower level needs.
13. As part of our continued duty to ensure proper use of public funds and to ensure
funding achieves its intended purpose, we have introduced robust monitoring and evaluation of how funding is used and sought clear evidence of impact. Providers must demonstrate that they have undertaken an appropriate assessment of children’s individual needs and have utilised existing resources and practice to support emerging needs and have consulted with the Dudley Area SENCO’s (for emerging and low level needs) or one of the services within Specialist Education (SEYS, VI, HI, PIMIS for higher level of full funding) before making an application for EYIF.
14. Providers must consult with Dudley Area SENCO’s before making an application for
EYIF. The Early Years Specialist Service (SEYS) and ASENCO’s, through regular reviews and gathering of evidence of impact, have collated examples of good practice and have disseminated their findings across the early years sector.
Financial Implications Funding
15. Local Authorities are required to establish their EY Inclusion Funds using funding from
either one or both of their Early Years Block and High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.
16. The value of the fund must take in to account the number of early years children with
SEND in the Dudley borough, their level of need and the overall capacity of the local childcare market to support these children.
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17. On 2018/19 assumptions, £0.120m would be required in 2019/20 to support emerging and lower level needs. The Revenue Budget for 2018/19 for the EY Inclusion Fund is £0.215m and the current forecast is likely to underspend by £0.095m. The final budget for 2019/20 will be confirmed by 31 March 2019, and will be ring fenced within the Early Years Block, the budget will be monitored on a regular basis and when the budget is expended, there will be no additional funding.
18. The lower take-up of this funding may be attributed to the introduction of a more robust
application process prior to submitting an application. In addition, to the support and challenge offered to them by the ASENCO’s to ensure providers firstly consider utilising existing resources and skills; and the consequent monitoring and evaluation of the use of funds.
19. Children with higher and more complex needs will access funding from the High Needs
Block via the Dedicated Schools Grant, the current estimate based on existing need is £0.226m and is included within the draft 2019/20 budget.
20. Funding is reviewed regularly as both the allocation process and the 30-hour entitlement continue to bed in. Proposed allocations are based on estimated need and will be subject to review through local evaluation, and consulted on at Schools Forum as necessary.
Allocation of funding
21. The LA consulted with early years providers, parents and SEND specialists on how the
Early Years Inclusion Fund (EYIF) would be allocated, as part of the preparation and review of the ‘Local Offer’. Under the ‘Local Offer’, the local authority publishes details on how they intend to use the EYIF to support early years SEND children.
22. An EY SEND panel was established to allocate funding to schools and settings for
targeted SEND support for children with higher level or more complex needs. The EY strategic lead officer supported by Dudley Area SENCO’s allocates EYIF to support emerging and lower level SEND for 2, 3 and 4yr olds.
23. The local authority passes on the Early Years Inclusion Fund to providers in the form of
one-off grants or allocation of funding to support one to one on a case-by-case basis as agreed by the EY SEND panel.
Budget Working Group Discussed
Finance
25. From 1 April 2006, the Schools Budget has been funded by a direct grant: Dedicated
School Grant (DSG).
Law
26. Schools Forum is a statutory decision making and consultative body constituted in line
with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, and its associated regulations, including the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2012, to enable members of the local school community to work in partnership with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council when making decisions about school funding and finances.
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Equality Impact
27. This report has no direct implications for the Council’s commitment to equality and diversity.
Human Resources /Transformation
28. This report has no direct implications for human resources or service transformation. Commercial Implications
29. There is no impact on the potential to commercially trade and no impact on our
customer base.
Attachments
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Emerging:
Children who are monitored due to a delay in their learning and development.
For eligible children:
Lower level:
Children who require occasional adult support to participate in the provision. However, without intervention, the child’s outcomes may deteriorate.
For eligible children:
Higher or more complex SEND.
Children assessed as having a delay in one or more prime areas of learning and whose needs are targeted through the SEND graduated approach. These children will require regular adult support to participate in the provision. Children with higher and more complex needs may be supported with an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) and are funded via the Higher Needs block of DSG
For eligible children who require:
Enhanced SEND support
Complex SEND support
Higher Needs:
£10.36 per hour (To support 1 : 1)
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