Children's Services in Bromley: A Changing Landscape

1. Children's Services in Bromley:A Changing Landscape Gillian Pearson | Director of Children and Young People Services | London Borough of Bromley The Partnership Board |12 September 2011

2. Government reform agenda: An overview The Academy Programme • The position in Bromley as at 1 September 2011 is as follows:

3. Government reform agenda: An overview The Free Schools Programme • 28 July 2011 – notification from DfE that approval in principle has been given for a Free School proposal in Bromley (the ‘Paxton Academy’), put forward by a local parental group • The proposed Free School is for a 2 form of entry, all through, 3 – 18 age group school. The school will be Christian in ethos but will admit all faiths. • Next steps – a detailed business case for the Free School needs to be submitted to DfE, including assessment of demand, locations, costs and other relevant factors. Bromley LA will be consulted with formally in September 2011.

4. Government reform agenda: An overview (cont’d) Academies: Strategic Implications • Local Authority Residual Statutory Functions • Sufficiency of school places and admissions; • Fair access for vulnerable groups (e.g. SEN/Disability; Looked After Children; Mental Health; and general safeguarding and child protection issues); • Provision for excluded pupils and education of children out of school; • Quality of provision and standards. • Future Funding Arrangements • DfE consultation (August 2011): Local Authority Central Spend Equivalent Grant (LACSEG) • LACSEG arrangements affect both the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) • Projected impact on Bromley RSG, given the current financial context and the academy conversion rate - £6.25M (inclusive of 2011/2012 in-year actual reduction of £800K and 2012/2013 indicative reduction of £640K) • Projected impact on Bromley DSG and its core services to schools (e.g. Behaviour Support and Respite provision) - £1.53M based on actual conversions to date

5. Government reform agenda: An overview (cont’d) Wider Reform Agenda • SEN and Disabilities Green Paper – published March 2011 • Reform agenda basis for legislative change – implementation Summer 2012; • Integrated education / social care / health approach: • Successful Bromley/Bexley bid for pathfinder status (1 of only 3 approved in London) , focusing on: • New single assessment for children with SEN and Disabilities (SEND); • Use of personalised budgets for children with SEND. • Child Protection and safeguarding reform programme • Munro Review of Child Protection – published May 2011 • Offending Green Paper – published 2010 • Government response published June 2011 • Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill (June 2011)

6. Government reform agenda: An overview (cont’d) Wider Reform Agenda (cont.) • Early Years Reform Programme • Tickell Review of Early Years Foundation Stage – published March 2011 • Consultation on revised Framework started July 2011 • Government vision to support parents and families – published July 2011 • Review of early years qualifications; • Families in the Foundation Years document; • New core purpose for children’s centres. • Health Reform Programme • NHS White Paper – published July 2010 • Public Health White Paper – published November 2010 • Health and Social Care Bill (January 2011) – Royal Assent expected Autumn 2011

7. Gillian PearsonDirector of Children and Young People Services e gillian.pearson@bromley.gov.ukt 020 8313 4060