A better life for every young person : Reform

What are we trying to achieve? Skills :continuing to improve the skill levels of young people and adults for economic growth Employers / IAG : young people with the skills employers need, making choices based on excellent IAG Achievement of young people : will only improve further if we focus on the hardest to reach – every young person succeeds Vulnerable young people : are better in learning – and employment – than not

Who are ‘vulnerable’ Those with special educational needs (16-19) or a learning difficulty or disability (16-25) Looked after young people (16-21 (or 25?)) Young Offenders in the community (16-19) Young people in custody (10-17/18) Teenage Parents (16-19) Those affected by drug or alcohol misuse Homeless Young People Those receiving mental health needs Travellers Refugees

Some History Incorporation of colleges Separation of assessment of young people with additional needs from funding of provision Careers services > careers companies > Connexions Accountability and responsibility fragmented Split between SEN and LLDD development despite this, provision for young people aged over 16 with additional needs is better

Raising of learning participation age Every 16 year old must remain in learning until they are 17 (2013) Every 17 year old must remain in learning until they are 18 (2015) Learning = Full time in a school or college Employment with one day a week training Volunteering with one day a week training Employer duty to provide recognised training

A solution Place responsibility in one place Increased role for local authority leadership – health; care; learning; economic development But in partnership through Local Area Agreements, Children’s Trusts & Partnerships Duties on LAs and providers to work together Increased local democratic accountability

Funding & Planning £7 Billion transferred to LAs to commission learning LA duty to secure provision but YPLA duty to fund LAs LAs to commission the provision for learners in : FE colleges, 6 th form colleges and 6 th forms New 6 th form college sector SEN / LLDD commissioning up to 25 Offender learning – year olds in custody Working through 43 sub regional partnerships Young People’s Learning Agency – national and regional body, also commissions academies New role for Government Offices

Commissioning All learning, within the context of sub- regional planning, including learners with learning difficulties / disabilities For every young resident and for every young person learning in their area learner choice is paramount LAs need to ensure a range of providers to make choice possible, including specialist colleges New provision to ensure an appropriate offer for every young person LAs responsible for contracting with every provider located in their area

Impact of the ASCL Act on Young People with Additional Needs LAs are now responsible for commissioning education provision for young people aged with a learning difficulty / disability with or without a learning difficulty assessment or aged with a learning difficulty assessment commissioning from specialist providers located in their area, on behalf of all local authorities (host LAs) (from 2012/13) Developing a seamless transition from SEN > LLDD > adult (post 25) provision Undertaking learning difficulty assessments (2008 Act)

National Commissioning Framework May- September Strategic analysis by Partnerships, children’s trusts and SRGs; LAs forecast LLDD needs September onwards Learning Difficulty Assessments Carried Out October – December National and Regional Statement of Priorities ; local commissioning statement; national funding rates January – March Establishing Learner Numbers, moderation at SRG, RPG and national levels; YPLA approval of SRG / LA plans, indicative allocations agreed March – August Any national appeals undertaken, final adjustments made.

YPLA functions Inform and support SRGs/LAs in commissioning provision for learners with LDD Bring together data and planning information from LAs to ensure that LAs are funded to meet learners’ needs, yet remaining within the overall national budget Agree commissioning plans Contract with ISPs (initially) Convene the national appeals panel Support the development of innovation and spread good practice Integrate planning and support for vulnerable groups/learners

The benefits : Improved long term outcomes for young people with additional needs, including increased access to employment Brings the planning of provision for learners with LDD into line with that for all other provision, including special educational needs, through the partnership and children’s trust Provision planned through strategic analysis Ensures not only coherence and affordability but also identifies any gaps in provision to inform discussions about the development of new provision to meet learner need Enables the development of more tailored provision which is jointly planned and funded with other agencies

Challenge 1 For the new system to work LAs and the YPLA need to work in close partnership to : Match local need to the national budget Better integrate planning and funding for all of the young person’s needs, including contributions from social care, health and other bodies Reduce and remove the numerous barriers which reduce the outcomes for young people with LDD, easing transition at 16, 19 and 25.

Challenge 2 - LAs Radically transform structures and staffing in preparation for RPA Ensure focus on post 16 learning Establishing relationship with providers – as their champion as well as commissioner Develop partnership role with other LAs and the voluntary sector Acting as the host contracting body Ensure proportionate performance management

Challenge 3 : Independent Specialist Colleges How many do we need? National, regional and local relationships Which LA is best for you? Build local relationships Join up pre and post 16 and post 25 Provide long term solutions Re-define the role of residential learning Develop even more outreach work Spread your good practice and learn from good experiences in LAs Play a full part in Partnerships and Children’s Trusts

The Future Election uncertainty Ofsted Review of SEN Foundation Learning Move from 1 year funding Personalised budgets Different local / specialist / residential mix Less money More provider collaboration – and competition

React : Contacts React Programme Local Government Association Local Government House Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ