1. Joint Improvement Support Plans

2. The Improvement Cycle 2008/09 (DRAFT)
Cross-government guidance published on local performance management arrangements for 2008/09
LAA targets signed off by Ministers
Consultation on CAA by inspectorates (to October 08)
KEY to colours
Red opportunities for policy teams to input
Blue inspectorate activity
APA self assessment completed by LAs
NS/GOs produce APA briefings for Ofsted, informed by policy teams
DCSF Guidance on statutory target setting published
Ofsted field work for final batch of JARs completed
Final negotiation of LAA targets and target levels by GOs with local areas
June 08
July 08
Ofsted on site meetings with LAs re APA (NB Ofsted may not visit every LA
May 08
Aug 08
First RIEP strategies published
Apr 08
Sept 08
National Strategies meeting with all Local Authorities to discuss achievement against statutory targets to date and targets for 2010 (between 15 September and 24 October)
Mar 09
Oct 08
Changes to LAA targets finalised – and agreed by Government .
Feb 09
Nov 08
Jan 09
Dec 08
GO reviews local area’s progress against LAA targets and as part of that discussion
Draft APA letters sent to LAs and copied to GOs, for restricted use only
Renegotiation of LAA targets – to agree final set of up to 35 (minimal change expected in 2010)
any changes to priorities for improvement, and subsequent changes to support need to be agreed
DCSF policy teams input to GOs (via LAIT) to inform LAA reviews
Audit Commission publishes Comprehensive Performance Assessments
CAA arrangements due to be published
LAs submit statutory targets to DCSF by
31 January
APA letters published
Final JAR reports published

3. LAA refresh/review
CSA discussions with DCS and local partners focused on LAA targets relating to C&YP and wider priorities agreed last year
Discussions considered: 
Progress of local areas over the last year
Any risks that remain to achieving the targets and priorities
Any new priorities identified through APA, JAR, LAIT, SCRs etc
Improvement support that is likely to be needed

5. Joint Improvement Support Plans
provide a concise and joined up forward look of planned improvement support for the Children’s Trust;
drive the tailoring of support to the authorities’ priorities and plans and improve the way in which the impact of that support provided is evaluated;
identify areas of high performance/best practice to facilitate cross-authority learning;
build a picture of regional and national improvement needs based on analysis of local needs.

6. Example of Support Requests
National Strategies (as already agreed)
Teenage pregnancy (ongoing)
Breastfeeding support - from Vicky Head, Obesity Manager (infant feeding) GONE
Targeted Youth Support
Taking forward "Narrowing the Gap"
GONE support to implement You're Welcome quality criteria - Mandy Cheetham?
Any support / advice or sharing of good practice that could be provided regarding:
- Thresholds
- Safely reducing Child Protection and LAC numbers
- Successful child obesity interventions
- Improving school attendance
- Reducing exclusions