1. Somerset Schools Forum 12 th May 2015 Agenda Item 5

2. What is SSE? A newly formed internal trading unit within SCC providing a variety of support services for Education. –Gross expenditure budget for 2015/16 of £20m –Circa 300 staff Its creation supported the following County Plan targets for 2013-17 –Better Schools providing better results for our children –Work more effectively with partners for a smaller, leaner and more customer focused public sector SSEs vision is to… ‘improve outcomes for all children and young people by working in partnership with others’

3. SORLS and (Dillington) Somerset Music Resources for Learning Education Welfare Service Admissions and Entitlements Commercial Development HR H&S Finance Contract Support SCIL and (Nurseries) (SCITT) (Highbridge Nursery) Head of Educational Effectiveness (Neal Chislett) School Improvement EY Improvement Governor Support eLIM Narrowing the gap (Circles Nursery) Head of SSE (Ian Rowswell) Enrichment and Entitlement (Vicky Thomas) SEN Support Services (Rick Beaver) Ed Psych’s - including EY SENCOs STC (Learning/Sensory/ Medical/Physical) (Autism & Communication Advisory Service ) Business Services (Ian Mosley) ( ) indicates service areas that aren’t in scope but SSE provide the line management

4. Service Scope changes Agreed Somerset Total (STC) Business Support Proposed Early Years – from Commissioning April 15 Admissions and Entitlements – to Commissioning Narrowing the gap – to Commissioning (contract budgets) Managed Services Circles and Highbridge LA Nurseries – from Sept 14 pending move to schools SCITT – Review taking place Dillington - from March 15 pending decision on future Learning/Sensory/Physical/ Medical Support from Jan 15 pending proposed move in scope in April 16 Autism & Communication Advisory Service from April 15 pending proposed move in scope in April 16

5. Cabinet Decision Retain SSE within SCC as trading unit, review progress in a year and case for transferring out after 2 years Confirmed current service scope/set process for agreement of future changes Require full cost recovery in 5 years Note appointment of Commercial and General Manager to secure commercial skills Implementation of Business Improvement Plan Introduce governance to oversee performance Continue development of commissioning function

6. Transition plan Releasing commissioning capacity (change line management arrangements) Development of Service Level Agreements Budget – clarifying 14/15 position and impact of 15/16 MTFP Establishing Commissioning function Resolving outstanding scope issues

7. Business Improvement Plan 14/15 Staff integration Standardise templates and procedures for: Staff line management and appraisals Staff Training Staff awareness sessions and newsletters Task and finish groups Business Strategy Review costing, pricing, fees and charges Invoicing and SSTEPs Terms and conditions for traded services Scheme of Delegation for SSE

8. Business Improvement Plan 14/15 – cont. Customer Engagement and Marketing Branding Website – www.SupportServicesforEducation.co.ukwww.SupportServicesforEducation.co.uk Termly Customer Newsletter – linked to SSE service websites – 2 nd one has now gone out Vision and Values for SSE developed by Staff Customer feedback survey Continued commitment to involve Schools Client Group Involvement in Transition Management Board

9. Results of recent customer survey 58 different schools responded (77% LA Maintained 23% Academy) 89% rated Educational Effectiveness services good/outstanding 95% rated SEN Support services good/outstanding 97% rated Enrichment and Entitlements services good/outstanding 95% rated Business Services good/outstanding Top reasons for good/outstanding rating is quality of service, quality of guidance and contact/helpline speed of response

10. SSE Outcomes in 2015/16 Business Plan Demonstrable contribution to raising achievement and supporting vulnerable learners. Full cost recovery with clear focus on customer service Identify and respond to customer need through provision of high quality services. Plans in place to meet targets for growth and efficiencies Robust service planning, resource deployment and performance monitoring. With commissioners, resolve outstanding scope issues. Involve staff and support them through changes. Culture of regular review and development.