Summary of Key Points Raised and Discussed at the West Hampshire DT Network Meetings

Summary of key points raised and discussed at the West Hampshire DT network meetings

Winchester – 22nd June 2015

Basingstoke – 23rd June 2015

New Forest – 25th June 2015

(PowerPoint slides available for the input relating to the agenda –please see link on website)

• Updates and actions from last round of west DT networks.

Indicates the updates from the last set of meeting notes from west DT networks Autumn term.

• Need to ensure the DQC team have up to date contact information for DTs in Hampshire schools; there are schools where the wrong member of staff is being contacted for data collection.

VS has communicated this with the DQC team and requested that schools keep the VS informed of staff changes.

• Request for more bookable EP consultations as they were all taken by 8.30am on the day the School Communication went out.

VS has allocated more of the budget to buy more bookable EP consultation time,

• Not all DTs get the School Communication; question raised as to whether there is an additional communication method the VS could use?

VS will, where appropriate use the DT contact list, dependent on schools keeping the VS informed of staff changes.

• Concerns were raised regarding inspectors at PEP meetings in relation to how the carers view this and DT’s believe quality assurance and support can be achieved in other ways.

The VS have reviewed this and will be using an annual school visit strategy – see school communications (also shared at the network meeting)

• Request for the link to the Goodmans Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) to be added to the VS website.

Link now on the website

• There is a need for whole school training on LAC to capture what the issues with LAC are in general (eg the impact of multiple placements) and input on how schools can support those on the edge of care.

VS are hosting a conference which will include a conference on wider vulnerable groups; VS are also developing a training directory.

• Feedback on the new PEP from DTS:(please take note this is a summary of comments and not all DTs agreed on all of these)

Formatting of the new PEP makes it difficult to complete electronically

There is a section for carer views, but the word parent is missed out and there are cases where parents as well as carers have input

Not clear on what the pictures add to the document (doesn’t help formatting); especially the KS4 PEP.

Would like to add to the target page a way of recording when things have happened/been actioned (EG date a camera was bought)

Some concerns regarding the PEP being in pupil speak

Some DTs felt there was repetition of information

DTs would like exemplar PEPs.

The document is too long

Could do with page numbers

Disjointed with targets on a separate page.

VS are addressing some of these issues and hope to have a revised document in place by autumn term. The wider concerns will be taken forward by the county education sub group for LAC in the next financial year.

• Ideas for next agenda:

DTs requested a model for policy for LAC - copy shared at the meeting and on the website

Update on how new SEN code of practice affects LAC and funding arrangements. Questions for SEN adviser shared at the meeting and will update DTS next term.

Forum for sharing what to spend pupil premium on

Member from the finance team to come and explain how funding works in terms of dates and headings relating to school budget etc the VS have created a FAQ document – available on the website.

Feedback on the toolkit and how schools are using it

A structure chart with contacts for C&F this has been created by the VS and shared at the meeting – also available on the website.

Key discussion points at the summer term DT west networks:

• Ideas for the VS website:

-Easy accessible link to PEP forms and clear guidance

-PEP toolkit needs analysis to be available online

-Links to national agencies (IE NSPCC)

-Could have a log on (HTS have to do this for a lot of other county web areas)

-Information on how the £400 topslice is being used (this could pre populate the template schools have to complete on how funding is spent is impact)

-Have a ‘new things’ tab on the front page with links to the top 5 trending articles.

-More links to more training

-Calendar overview – especially with reference to key dates/deadlines for data retruns to county

-An exemplar PEP

-Contact list for finance team

-Comparative data information (EG national and county data on LAC) – this could help pre populate the DT SEF form.

-Case studies and schools with good practice

• Comments regarding the Hampshire PEP form:

-How does the last page on the back of the PEP help the child? (some DTs do find this useful but a lot felt that they already do this on other forms)

-DTs from special schools would like the Special School PEP available ASAP.

-When are we going to address the no levels/progress 8 levels in the PEP doc.

-Many DTs have now used the EPEP fro other LAS and think it is really easy to use – this PEP does account for the new no levels.

-DTS are requesting an exemplar PEP

-Can each review page have a similar front cover like the initial PEP.

-Question raised again regarding the need for a national PEP

-Many other LA PEPs are a lot simpler and effective.

These are representative comments from across all 3 networks

• DTS requested guidance on special guardianship order and the implications of this for what schools are required to do.

• Should DTS use the LAC proforma for reporting to governing bodies on adopted children? The VS will consider this further.

• DTS requested the DT Draft SEF document to be available electronically (website)

• DTS raised a query regarding ELSA training in terms of further availability

• SEN questions for the VS to feedback on:

-Why are the timeframes for completion of documentation so short for schools but appear much longer for other services? Where can we get summary guidance on this?

-ECHP is easy to complete where the needs are focused on learning, but really difficult for mental health issues that many of our LAC have over and above their SEN. Can we have more guidance on this and further support on capturing impact of interventions for mental health.

-Clarification needed for old ‘school action’- is it still expected that they would be on a school SEN register if external agencies are involved due to LAC status?

-Are there any good examples of what other LAs are doing to support LAC with SEN in terms of practice and process?

In addition to these discussion points, updates and information was shared – please see the slides and the agenda with reference links to documents.

These are meeting notes.