Tuesday 04 March 2025

A message from Sara

I wanted to start this week's Together update by saying thank you to all Multi-Academy Trust and school leadership teams, including SENDCos, for providing us with the information we need to proceed with the moderation stage of Element 3 funding processes. This will help to inform Element 3 allocations to schools so that you can financially plan for the new academic year starting in September 2025. I know it was a significant task, so I wanted to acknowledge the huge effort that went in.

I also want to thank those of you that contributed to the recent Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI). The report was published on Thursday and highlighted the priority all partners give to supporting children who are victims of domestic abuse in Norfolk. The inspection team looked at our multi-agency response to unborn children and children aged 0 to 7 who are victims of domestic abuse. They recognised the implementation and monitoring of Operation Encompass as a strength in Norfolk, as well as strong strategic leadership and partnership working. As always, there is still more we can do to improve and we're working on an action plan for inspectors.

Finally, I'd like to draw your attention to the update below on the safeguarding self-evaluation tool. We're undertaking a whole system audit of school and college safeguarding practices in line with statutory guidance, so please do take the time to complete this.

I hope you all have a good week and make the most of this early spring sun.

Thanks

Sara Tough OBE

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