Tuesday 28 January 2025

A message from Sara

It's the end of January and for the council that means we're getting towards the final round of budget setting for the next financial year. Our Cabinet met yesterday to discuss the medium-term financial strategy and to make recommendations to full council on the Dedicated Schools Grant. As I've said before, we will again be applying to the DfE to transfer money from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block to help meet the exceptional demand we face for specialist places. Cabinet had a lengthy discussion on the challenges schools are facing. The full meeting is available to watch back.

On the subject of the DSG, I wanted to acknowledge the concerns raised by some SENCos and headteachers last week in relation to the tight deadline for submissions for the new Element 3 Funding indicative allocations for the 2025/26 academic year.

We have listened carefully to all the points raised and we completely appreciate the pressures you are facing. Later in Together, you will see a more detailed update on Element 3 funding, as well as a further update on the School Inclusion and Support Model, specifically around the Educational Psychology and Support Services.

In today's update you will also see the positive outcome of our recent Youth Justice inspection, with an overall rating of "good." Thank you to those of you who took part in the inspection process and to all of you for the work you do to support what is a particularly vulnerable group of young people.

We now await the publication of our Joint Targeted Area Inspection report, which looked at support for children who are victims of domestic abuse. This will be published in late February.

Thanks 

Sara Tough OBE

Executive Director of Children's Services
Norfolk County Council
Chair of the Children and Young People Strategic Alliance