Education
Budget: Boost for preventative services
Funding for preventative services has been announced as part of the Budget in an attempt to relieve local government’s demand pressures.
ALACE warns of mental health risk from inspections
The chief executives’ trade union has revealed it already supports officers responding to inspection reports, as mental health fears grow with the emergence of watchdog Oflog.
Dream big, start small
Ann McGauran reports on the Local Government AI Summit, which was aimed at providing the sector with a deeper understanding of the technology’s potential to solve real problems.
Scots Gov should not mark own report card
The Scottish Parliament should appoint an independent external organisation to validate the National Performance Framework and regain faith in the system of assessment. George Thorley explains.
An invite to our free virtual Local Government AI Summit
The Local Government AI Summit on 18 January will showcase innovation and feature practical sessions on AI applications, governance and supplier insights. Dr Claire Darwin invites registrations.
Delivering a vital service
The flexibility given to councils to manage the provision of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme has enabled a much more cross-departmental and preventative approach, says Tom Neill
Using the past to shape our future
The UK’s youngest city has provided many important historical examples of civic leadership and pioneering spirit, and as Kersten England explains, continuing this legacy and maintaining a modern shared vision is a responsibility Bradford welcomes.
County leaders call for ‘adult education revolution’
County council leaders have urged the Government to ‘fast track’ devolution deals to help boost the number of people taking part in adult education.
Pioneering a new approach to children’s social care in Somerset
A new partnership in Somerset is supporting the county’s most complex looked-after children and could improve outcomes across the UK, say Claire Winter and Chris Luck.
Children referred to social services twice as likely to fail GCSEs
Children who have been referred to social care are twice as likely to fail an English or Maths GCSE than their classmates, a children’s charity has found.
Education and children's services top complaints to Ombudsman
The Ombudsman’s annual complaints statistics have revealed education and children’s services as the key areas of concern, making up nearly a quarter (24%) of the workload.
Tapping into the talent on our doorstep
Great Yarmouth BC's work on supported internships dovetails with its determination to have an inclusive and diverse workforce that better reflects the communities it serves, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Bristol council faces 'huge financial risk'
Bristol City Council has been warned it must take urgent action over the spiralling cost of special educational needs and disabilities.
Greater Manchester unveils skills devolution plan
The shape of skills devolution in the trailblazer devolution deals has been outlined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Pockets with potential
Centre for Progressive Policy analysis has found that if 95 areas secured levels of business investment in line with their potential it would attract £70bn into the UK economy, says Charlotte Alldritt.
A skills plan for Surrey
Michael Coughlin sets out the key elements of Surrey’s plan to create a unified and innovative skills and careers ecosystem for younger people and older career changers, and he emphasises the critical importance of partnership working to delivery.
Childcare warning after Budget announcement
Wider reform of childcare will be needed if ministers are to deliver a sustainable wraparound system for all families, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
New SEND plan fails on ‘fundamental’ issues, say council leaders
The Government’s new plan to help support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) fails to address the ‘fundamental issues’ faced by local authorities, according to council leaders.
Ban on teacher redundancies will shift cuts
A moratorium on reducing teacher numbers in Scotland will only lead to service cuts elsewhere, a think-tank has said.
We’re ready for change
If we grasp the opportunity of reforms to the education, special educational needs and social care systems ahead of us we can make big improvements to children’s outcomes, says Steve Crocker.