ESFA Update academies: 22 January 2025
Published 22 January 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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-22-january-2025/esfa-update-academies-22-january-2025
Information: Guidance on procuring SEND education placements and services
The Department for Education has published non-statutory guidance on procuring SEND education placements and services ahead of the Procurement Act 2023 coming into effect from 24 February 2025.
The guidance will help local authorities and education providers to understand how the Procurement Act 2023 interacts with the Children and Families Act 2014 and identify if educational settings are in or out of scope of the procurement legislation that applies from 24 February.
Additionally, the guidance will help local authorities, as the contracting authority, to decide:
- how to commission the provision of education placements and services for children and young people with education, health and care (EHC) plans and those who need alternative provision
- when the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations and guidance, might apply to such commissioning activity
Your feedback: Improve communications around ESFA funding
Are you responsible for receiving funding allocations and payment information for your academy or an academy trust?
ESFA is exploring the redesign and consolidation of the current funding communication process. Your feedback in this initial stage will help shape the digital service.
One-to-one feedback sessions will take place online from Friday 24 to Thursday 30 January. Sessions will be on Microsoft Teams and will last up to 60 minutes.
Fill out this form to register your interest in taking part.
Events and webinars: Q&A dial-in sessions – Academies chart of accounts and automation
Thursday 23 January 2025, 11am to 11:30am. Register on Eventbrite
Events and webinars: Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school
Tuesday 4 February 2025, 11am to 11:45am. Register online.
Events and webinars: Risk protection arrangement (RPA) members only – Property Management (including prevention of water damage and vacant buildings)
Thursday 6 February 2025, 10am to midday. Register online.
Events and webinars: Academy finance professionals February power hour – Counter fraud
Thursday 13 February 2025, 3pm to 4pm. Register on Eventbrite.