1. Options for Future Delivery of Learning Services Brin Martin and Richard Barker 23 rd October 2013 1

2. What we hope to cover in the session…  A reminder of the journey taken;  Recent activity;  High Level cabinet priorities, and where we fit in;  What will come next in the process;  Answer any questions. 2

3. Why are we here? 3

4. 4 Traded work Discretionary Functions Members Strategic Priorities Statutory Duties

5. What exactly will we be commissioning?  We currently have £4.9M from the council and considerably more for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to deliver services;  The new service will only commission statutory functions and a small amount of strategic duties on behalf of WSCC;  However, we will continue to work with schools and other partners who directly influence the achievement of the outcomes for young people. 5

6. 6 Members Strategic Priorities: Start of Life Economy Later Life Satisfied Residents Efficient Council Stronger Communities Statutory Functions

7. Mutual/social enterprise 7

8. Working with another authority 8

9. Joint venture 9

10. Managed contract 10

11. Possible outcomes 11  As an eventual result of this programme, by April 2015, it is likely that the County Council will enter into some form of formal agreement to commission and monitor strategic outcomes from an alternative source/s of provision by a third party.

12. What’s new (ish?) 12

13. 13 Every parent* will be positively engaged and involved with their child’s learning from the start, enabling them to be confident that their child will enjoy school* and achieve their full potential as a person. They will have easy access to a fair system which identifies a school of their choice for their child* within their community. This will be in a good or outstanding school. Although we will be less directly involved, our role will be to challenge schools to drive up achievement through very effective provision. Their child will feel safe, valued and included, recognised for what they can achieve. If their child is finding school difficult, we will work with them as early as possible to agree how to meet their needs in the best way. When their child moves on, they will have the resources, skills and ambition to cope with the transition into adult and working life, and to contribute to the West Sussex economy. They will want to continue to learn from then onwards.

14. 14 1.All schools will be good or outstanding 2.Improved standards of attainment in all maintained schools 3.Learners are properly equipped for the transition to adult and working life 4.Easy access to an appropriate school 5.Learners are safe and included 6.Early identification to ensure the needs of vulnerable learners are met 7.The gap in attainment for vulnerable groups is closing 8.Parents will be positively engaged with their child’s learning 9.We will challenge schools, including academies, to ensure they address underperformance or inequality quickly 10.Parents and other partners will be clear about what they can expect from us

15. 15

16. Peter Evans Cabinet member Children – Start of Life 16

17. Where we are…  The Select Committee is recommended to support the proposed approach to developing options for the future operation of the Learning Service as set out in this report. In considering the proposals, the Committee is asked to comment on the following aspects of the proposals:  1.The criteria designed to identify an appropriate vehicle to supply the provider services required by West Sussex County Council.  2. The models considered to remain viable vehicles, to deliver the Learning Services’ statutory and strategic responsibilities.  3.The timescale to deliver the proposals to deliver the County Council’s lifelong learning and skills aspirations by April 2015. 17

18. Where we are…  1.The Learning Service ensure all schools are engaged in consultation.  I have asked officers in the Learning Service to ensure all schools are invited and encouraged to take part in the consultation. The service is also considering what role schools may play in any eventual evaluation of a procurement process.  2.The service give further consideration to the criteria and how they are weighted.  I have asked officers in the Learning Service to reconsider the criteria as requested. These considerations will be confirmed as part of the procurement evaluation process.  3.The service provide a written briefing to the Committee before the New Year to update them on progress of the options being considered.  Officers will provide an update as requested. 18

19. Where we are…  4. The Cabinet Member gives consideration to the concerns of the staff including the impact of TUPE and pension entitlement, in making his decision.  I will consider this not only when taking the decision on the options, but also the decision on the selected option in 2014.  5.The service undertake further detailed investigation into the option of forming a joint venture.  I have asked officers to look at this option in more detail, along with the other options that more closely meet the identified criteria.  6.The needs and attainment of Special Schools be taken on board as solutions for delivery of the SENI service are developed.  I have asked that this be considered. A significant number of services provided directly to Special Schools are likely to remain, as in generally they are statutory obligation on the Council towards its most vulnerable learners. 19

20. The project…  The LSR Project spans four phases. These are: Start-Up – to carry out the preliminary work to establish the viability of the project (January – July 2013) Initiation – the detailed planning activity (August 2013 – March 2014) Delivery – securing the preferred solution (April – October 2014) Implementation – implementing the chosen solution (October 2014 – March 2015) 20

21. What is happening now?  For the remainder of this calendar year the LSR Project Team’s focus is on preparing a Specification of Requirements in readiness for any activity to secure a strategic partner to deliver future learning services.  That Specification will be required irrespective of the decision made next year about the preferred partnership option.  In parallel with this activity the team will continue to explore the options, with the intention of coming to a view about a preferred direction by the end of the year.  This will then be put to the various internal governance bodies within the local authority prior to any recommendation to members. 21

22. And then…  In the first few months of 2014 we will make recommendations about the delivery model best suited to meet the project’s objectives.  These recommendations will be referred to various internal governance bodies but the ultimate decision lies with the Council’s Members.  The Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee will review any proposals in March, and the final decision with rest with the Cabinet Member later that month. 22

23. If…  If the chosen route involves procurement, then that activity would commence in April.  The local authority would adopt a competitive dialogue approach to procurement, inviting bidders to discuss with us their proposed solutions so that there is a measure of co-design in the final outcome.  A contract might be awarded in October following this timetable.  Whatever the chosen delivery model, we expect the new arrangements to be in place by April 2015. 23

24. The spec…  The Specification will comprise details about the service we currently provide, and a lot of work has been carried out to accurately document that service.  It will also include details about our requirements for the future: our shared ambition, the outcomes we expect, the Key Performance Indicators against which any partner will be measured, and other conditions that we consider important for success service delivery. 24

25. Impact on schools  In the short term schools will not notice any difference in the services delivered to them. Even once the new arrangements are in place for the first year schools should notice little change, although those services will be delivered by our new strategic partner.  In the longer term, as a result of the reductions in funding required by both Central Government and the local authority, the Learning Service will no longer be able to provide all of the functions that it currently provides at no cost.  In any future arrangement our strategic partner will meet all of our strategic priorities, including statutory obligations, but some of the services that we currently provide, and any other discretionary services, will have to be delivered at a price.  Precisely which services, currently falling in this category, will be affected is in the process of being determined, and will be reflected in the final Specification of Requirements – the key input to shape any discussions with a future strategic partner. 25

26. Where to find out more.  LLT Member  Learning Update  LSR Home page  https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/learning/west_sussex_grid_for_learning/ management_info__services/learning_service_review.aspx  Webcast and papers  http://www2.westsussex.gov.uk/ds/cttee/cyps/cyps241013i2.pdf  http://www.westsussex.public- i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/113844 26