ESFA Update local authorities: 13 January 2021
Published 13 January 2021
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-13-january-2021/esfa-update-local-authorities-13-january-2021
1. Latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Department for Education has published guidance about COVID-19 in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students on GOV.UK.
Please check GOV.UK regularly for updates.
2. Information: Wave 3 T Levels Capital Fund and 2020 T Level Action Plan
We have today launched a £135 million T Levels capital fund to help providers delivering T Levels in September 2022 to fund the building/facilities works and equipment needed to deliver the new qualifications. The closing date for the submission of bids is 26 March 2021 and the published guidance, application form and other information on the fund is available on GOV.UK.
In addition, we have published the fourth in our series of annual T Level Action Plans. The 2020 T Level Action Plan provides information on the delivery of the first three T Levels in September 2020, and on our continued work with a range of delivery partners towards the full rollout of T Levels. The main points include:
- the launch of the first three T Levels, including early recruitment information
- eligibility criteria and how to register for T Level delivery in 2023 and beyond
- updates on the rollout of T Level routes and pathways
- support packages available to T Level Providers; and
- progress with the Level 3 Qualifications Review and Higher Technical Qualifications
3. Information: post-16 monitoring, R04 reports for 2020 to 2021 funding year
We have published 2020 to 2021 R04 ILR data in the new post-16 monitoring reports dashboard in View your education data. This is our first data release for 2020 to 2021 and follows our initial release of the new dashboard after the 2019 to 2020 R14 ILR data submission.
The dashboard indicates which reports we will recover funding for at R14 (if you do not correct data in these reports). It also indicates the reports that we may ask you to provide supporting evidence for throughout the year to support the data.
We have included 2018 to 2019 monitoring data, so you can access the last three funding years’ data in a single place and track progress. Please leave feedback through the dashboard to help us develop the dashboard further.
The post-16 monitoring reports dashboard user guide 2020 to 2021 supports the dashboard and the monitoring plan. You can access both documents from the landing page of the dashboard.
If you need any further support, please submit an enquiry.
4. Information: funded training in school resource management
The Department for Education has funded webinars to help schools, trusts and local authorities plan for the future and ensure long term financial sustainability.
Focusing on resource management and integrated curriculum and financial planning (ICFP), delegates will receive the knowledge and tools they need to quantify areas of inefficiency, diagnose the causes and ensure effective use of resources.
The webinars will be delivered by Entrust Support Services from now until March 2021.
Full details of the training and how to book can be found on the Entrust School Resource Management portal.
5. Information: Teaching School Hubs
Teaching School Hubs (TSHs) will be school-led centres of excellence for teacher and leadership training and development, focussing in particular on the Department’s ‘golden thread’ of ITT, the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications.
We expect to announce the successful hubs late January or early February 2021. An overview of the TSH role is available on GOV.UK.
6. Information: Operation Encompass Teachers’ Helpline for children affected by domestic abuse - extended operating hours
The Operation Encompass Teachers Helpline, funded by Home Office and the Department for Education, has extended its operating hours from Monday 4 January. It is now available Monday to Friday from 8am to 1pm throughout term-time, including during lockdown restrictions and is available for all staff in educational settings.
The Helpline allows staff to speak in confidence with an educational psychologist about how best to support children experiencing domestic abuse.
More resources are available from the Operation Encompass website, including further information about the Helpline and a Handbook for Schools, which provides information about the impact of domestic abuse on children and advice on how to support them.
7. Information: violence against women and girls – call for evidence launched
The Home Office have launched a call for evidence to inform the development of the government’s next Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. Views are sought from those with lived experience of harm as well as those with expertise in working with victims and survivors, those involved in preventative activity, and those involved in providing services. This includes relevant professionals, such as those working in social care, education, law enforcement, local government, public health and healthcare.
Everyone aged 16 or over is welcome to contribute to the call for evidence, you do not have to have experienced violence or abuse to take part. The closing date for the call for evidence is 19 February 2021. You can participate in the call for evidence by completing the public survey or by providing a written submission. Further information is available on GOV.UK.