There are three things that DFE SEND division would like to draw your attention to this afternoon:
Summer schools: updated funding allocations and guidance
As part of the wider recovery package to support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing and to support recovery from the impact of missed face-to-face learning, £200m of funding is available for secondary schools to deliver summer schools this year. Over 80% of eligible mainstream schools have now signed up to the programme. To maximise the funding available for special schools and alternative provision settings, we have now calculated their funding allocations on the basis of 50% of their year 11 cohort being offered a two-week summer school, in recognition that these settings generally have few year 7 pupils. For any special schools or alternative provision settings whose year 7 cohort is larger than their year 11 cohort, those schools’ initial funding allocations will stand. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-summer-schools-programme-funding
Today, we published a form at https://form.education.gov.uk/service/summer-schools-programme, asking schools to confirm their arrangements for their summer school by 30 June. Schools that did not complete the initial sign-up form can still join the programme by completing the June confirmation form.
Subject to overall take-up, schools may be able to claim funding to cover additional places and can request this in the June confirmation form. Those schools will be notified quickly of any additional funding, but should plan to deliver their summer school within their published maximum allocation in the meantime.
The guidance on summer schools https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summer-schools-programme reflects the change to SEND/alternative provision funding. It also confirms the conditions of funding, has an expanded section on academic, enrichment and mental health resources and provides a link to the DfE summer schools webinar which includes input from headteachers and other experts.
If you have any questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transition to employment toolkit launched by Ambitious about Autism and the Autism Education Trust
Ambitious about Autism and The Autism Education Trust have today launched a new employment toolkit to support autistic young people into the job market. https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/toolkits Transition to employment toolkit is free to download and aims to prevent autistic young people falling out of education, employment or training when they leave school. The toolkit is not just for young autistic people to use, but also for careers professionals and employers, to help them better understand the needs and skills of young autistic people and support them into further education or work. Sections of the toolkit can be easily downloaded and edited and are designed to be used flexibly.
Launch of new NSPCC/DfE helpline for children and young people subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour in an education setting
A new UK wide dedicated helpline has been set up by the NSPCC and the Department for Education to support those who may have been subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour or abuse whilst in an education setting. The helpline is equipped to cover personal incidents or concerns for others, and for both recent and historical events.
DfE has set-up two social media resource packs on Dropbox containing assets to promote the helpline, one to target children and young people https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o8h7isy949vpncj/AABdyGYHsKgnEQq7oGCaLOnUa?dl=0, and another for adults https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y5rayfg7r51lyq0/AADTMDZEa6LSLmL4BaMMXJ9sa?dl=0 . We ask that education settings, along with wider sector organisations, use these resources on their own channels, and also cascade to their community networks. All amplification would be extremely valued, and ultimately help reach someone who vitally needs this support.