Home Access Programme Supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable learners Terry Waller Inclusion Manager, Becta

Home Access - overview The journey so far – why and how Home Access Programme – pilots informing national Targeted groups approach: – who will benefit – guidance ‘highlights’ – sharing practice Contacts

Becta Vision A world where technology and innovation enable learners to achieve their potential Next Generation Learning What we want parents to know: Inspired learning resulting in better achievement

Background In June 2006, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) asked industry for proposals on how to achieve home access for all school age learners. In January 2007 Jim Knight announced Home Access Taskforce to advise on ways in which home access to technology could be delivered Taskforce commissioned - Research, modelling and impact analysis - Public consultation - HA proof of concept trials in 37 schools with 3 suppliers Final report was issued and pilots are taking place in two local authorities (Oldham and Suffolk) before National Rollout

“To ensure that all pupils aged 5 to 19 in state maintained education in England have the opportunity to have access to computers and internet connectivity for education...at home” Jim Knight Minister of State for Schools and Learners Home Access - the vision System wide and education led Learner and parent focused Minimising the burden to schools and LAs Sustainable and long term More joined up across departments and initiatives Funding targeting the disadvantaged Home Access Taskforce principles

The evidence

The challenge - narrowing the gap Three quarters of a million households with children lack an ICT device and even more homes lack high quality connectivity Lower income households are most likely to lack home access reducing opportunities to support parental engagement and compounds social exclusion Schools find it to difficult to build on existing ownership and access Evidence demonstrates that penetration is slowing The digital divide is not reducing fast enough.

Audiences and benefits Disadvantaged Part/whole funding or more relevant offer Specific support for particular needs Removal of barriers to access Without access Economic benefits Flexible access to online services Improved links and communication Benefits for all Improved educational services e.g. real time reporting, ‘anytime, anywhere’ learning Increased educational attainment Improved parental engagement Access to guidance and support Confidence in suitable and safe home access equipment Better signposting to services Can afford HA but yet to be convinced Have home access Cannot afford Home Access

Five key strands in the programme The Next Generation Learning campaign to: – encourage parents/carers to engage with their children’s learning – stimulate interest from all families to obtain home access to technology if they do not yet have it – illustrate how all can derive real benefits from home access for learning more effectively, accessing public services & making savings An approved supplier scheme with functional specification Services to ensure eligible low income families can apply and receive support effectively and efficiently Support for learners and their parents Support for schools and local authorities All aligned to other activities – joining up government

Pilot approach Oldham and Suffolk – pilot approach Note: the slides in this section apply to the process in the pilot LAs only and will inform the National Rollout of Home Access.

Timeline 12 January: approved suppliers for the pilot announced 2 February: ‘soft launch’ of the pilot in Oldham and Suffolk – application processing began 27 February: full pilot GO-LIVE and approved suppliers begin to operate 2 March: independent evaluation of the pilot commences Late autumn 2009: National Rollout of Home Access across England

The offer All supported by Home Access working in partnership with Local Authorities, schools and colleges, key stakeholders and the third sector to deliver the educational benefits Home Access Grants for low income families to cover the cost of: - a computer - service and support - 1 years internet access Approved suppliers who provide these Next Generation Home packages which are designed to support learning

Packages for all All the Next Generation Home packages have: - a computer that’s been pre-set up so its quicker and easier for families to get started - 3 years technical service and support - enhanced warranty and re-instatement service - installed office productivity suite - pre-set parental controls - firewall and an Anti Virus package with a 3 year licence - the award-winning e-safety guide, Know IT All, preloaded onto every machine

Customer Journey DiscoveryApplicationPurchasing Ongoing Learning and Development

Targeted Groups – building on existing expertise

Support the home access needs of groups who might otherwise be at risk of being overlooked in a ‘parent’ focused programme. Learners for whom local authorities have direct or additional responsibility All LAs had the opportunity to receive Standards Funds through an expressions of interest process Opportunity to develop/refine guidance and support materials for parents/carers, learners, schools and LAs and gain insight to inform national programme. Targeted Groups

Maximum flexibility to reflect local priorities Input to Home Access national rollout Additional opportunity for National Challenge Schools Procurement support available if required* – Mini-competition to secure value for money – Capitalise connectivity costs Potential further funding in subsequent years * Note the procurement approach builds on that used for Computers for Pupils and not the accreditation/approved supplier route Targeted Groups (2008-9)

Scale and scope of the Targeted Groups 110 local authorities responded with expressions of interest £17.8 million allocated 20,850 learners targeted Looked After Children Alternative Provision 4000 National Challenge 1850 Young carers 900 GRT and very mobile 850 Young Offenders 650 Minority Ethnic/EAL 550 Disabled 350 Special projects 300

Some examples of the targeted groups that will be supported Looked after children - virtual schools Young carers – support centre Children of abused women – access at ‘home’ Complex needs – meaningful access

Supporting targeted learners and also informing the national programme Procurement Monitoring Networking and support – Online community – Guidance and case study development Research

QUESTIONS?

Further details DCSF press notices - Sept/Oct Taskforce report Home_Access_Report.pdf Home_Access_Report.pdf Becta home access site Next Generation Learning Contacts: (Policy) Terry Waller, Phil Boyle, (Mini-competition, Monitoring) Doug Woods (Procurement/Suppliers) Samm Parker, Regional Delivery Team local contact Terry Waller Becta switchboard: ]