Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

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Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009

Transcript of Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Page 1: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us?

TdBD May 2009

Page 2: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

The Background - LSC

• Created 2001, with the merger of FEFC and Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs)

• Responsible for planning and funding all post 16 Further Education

• National Office in Coventry, 47 local offices• National Office oversaw placements to Independent

Specialist Colleges (ISCs)• 2006, creation of regional LLDD teams and reduction

in size of local teams

Page 3: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Machinery of Government (MoG) Progress

• June 2007 DfES became DCSF and DIUS. • Apprenticeships , Skills, Children and Learning

Bill, 4 Feb 09• LAs to have duty for securing education and

training for all 16 -19 & 19-25 LLDD 1/04/10 • Young People’s Funding Agency ( YPLA)

receive grant Letter 16 -19 & 19-25 LLDD • Skills Funding Agency (SFA) 19+ or 25+ LLDD

Page 4: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Current place

• LLDD Knowledge transfer : LSC to LAs • Connexions 139 / 140 consultation out• Connexions commissioned for up to 3 years • Commissioning Support Unit LA based• 14-25 strategies in place in many LAs• Financial and planning shadow arrangements

in place in LAs

Page 5: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

LA driversIdentify key national and local drivers for change • LAA and CYPP• The Children’s Plan• 21st Century Schools• National Challenge• 14-19 Agenda guidanceAnalyse need / demand for services Analyse the results of performance reviews + benchmark with

other authoritiesIdentify key directions for change / implications Develop procurement and market management plans

Page 6: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

What’s missing?

In public policy:• Grasp of the issues around shift from national to local • A bridge between LSC / LA cultures• Time for a planned transition• Understanding of the unintended consequencesOn the ground in practice:• Capacity to manage role moves plus the day job• Learner focused change management process• Capacity in all areas to re-shape to new vision • LA commitment to secure provision• Clarity around placement for learners and parents

Page 7: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Two different games

The LLDD ball the LSC is throwing is a National paradigm• National funding framework• National capital process• National data processes, sets and standards• Secured provisionThe SEN ball the LA is catching is a local paradigm • Spot purchasing growing into Outcomes’ based commissioning• Local political capital priorities • Local indicator sets• Locally and politically described relationships

Page 8: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

What gets in the way? 1

• Flexibility of funding – policy / practice divide– Viability of providers dependent on “core business” of long

term placements. Outreach / indirect services often seem a “loss leader”

– Local Authorities struggling to meet costs of existing placements under Gershon Efficiencies– inhibits imaginative and collaborative thinking

– Commissioning still in early stages of development – few areas in a position to think about commissioning innovative new services and “placement as last resort” approach dominant. Limited pooled budgets.

Page 9: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

What gets in the way? 2

• Culture:– Relationships between LAs and providers are mostly

positive but complex histories in some areas– Provider culture can be resistant to change – core business

“secure” for 200 years etc. “Business” language unfamiliar / uncomfortable for staff and Board. Charity “fantasy”.

– LA culture can be resistant to collaboration - most officers have a NMISS “horror story” about fee increases or quality. Illusions of “Tesco” charities.

– Gap between LA commissioning policy and practice

Page 10: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Toolkit for survival - external

• NASS Outcomes’ framework for National Schools Contract - needs individualising

• NASS Guiding principles on Outcomes’ for 3 National Contracts & National Strategies Achievement for All - Outcomes’ based

• Commissioning support website / networks• Children's Trust Board• Aiming Higher for Disabled Children funding• ESF / LSC funding for Supported Employment• New markets gaps being identified• Aggressive collaboration strategy

Page 11: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

Toolkit for survival - internal

• Accurate market analysis – in what ways does the market really need your expertise?

• Reshaping your provision – have you the capacity to deliver what the market wants today?

• Internal structure – does it support tomorrow?• Value chain analysis –what do parents / LAs etc think they are

buying?• Unit costing – how much does it really cost?• Partnership – could you work more effectively / spread the risks

more evenly?• Parents – are you shaping and directing their energies? • Quality – don’t wait for the lightning to strike

Page 12: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

What will they have to commission?

In a ideal world, some of the following:• Teaching and learning provision which meets the needs of

young people with complex, medical or therapeutic needs • Specialist knowledge and expertise, which can be evidenced

by nationally recognised qualifications• The breadth of services provided including therapies and

medical • A curriculum focus on independent living• Residential provision which provides additional opportunities

for learning, transference and application of skills and can cover respite and short breaks

Page 13: Working with Local Authorities – what does it mean to us? TdBD May 2009.

What can you do today?Basic immediate advice would be:• Contact your LA and find out what is going on with regard to

14-25 provision• Uncover any local data on the LA drivers• Contact all your local Non-maintained Specials Schools

(through NASS) and ask for help• Focus your Board on the need for change • Look at the flexibility of your management structure• Review your capacity and identify your gaps • Plan for partnership now to fill your gaps• Do not dilute your specialism