Autumn term | 17 November 2020 | Issue 3
Job Vacancy | Devon SLS Administrator
Devon SLS are looking to recruit a highly organised, self-motivated person with excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will have a strong administrative background with experience of minute taking and meeting organisation essential along with a sound knowledge of the Microsoft suite pf applications. Experience of working in the education and schools’ sector would be desirable.
For more details and links to the application pack, please visit the Devon Jobs website.
Closing date for applications is 30 November 2020.
|
Letter of Appreciation from the Council
Read the letter dated 13 November 2020 from Cllr James McInnes, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Cllr John Hart, Leader of the Council who express their thanks to school staff during these extraordinary times.
|
Devon leads £2 million bid to end holiday hunger
A major operation is under way in Devon to combat holiday hunger for children this Christmas.
Over the next few weeks a range of community kitchens, holiday clubs, charities and local businesses will be enlisted to coordinate help and support for those who need it the most in every district in Devon. They will ensure that every child entitled to Free School Meals will be able to get free food over the Christmas holiday, during the Easter half-term and the Easter holidays.
Read the full story on the DCC News Centre website (posted 11/11/20) and which also includes information about financial and food support for families and individuals in Devon.
|
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
Fire Safety Education - School visits
Message from the Schools Education Team
In light of the ongoing Covid-19 situation Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will be unable to visit schools until further guidance is given and Government restrictions lifted.
Such limitations include deployment of all Fire Service personnel, both operational and non-operational. When we have official notification that we can re-start visits, schools will be contacted by one of the Fire Service Education Team to schedule and plan a visit.
For more information and links to useful resources and contacts, please read the Primary School Bulletin from the Schools Education Team.
Contact: e education@dsfire.gov.uk
|
 Petition | Fully fund schools for Covid-19 costs and provide relief for loss of income
This term, schools are facing increasing Covid costs, in addition to those incurred between March and June.
Costs include: supply staff, materials, cleaning, ventilation systems, handwashing stations, improved IT and training to enable blended learning.
Schools have simultaneously lost income, unable to let premises. Unlike businesses, schools are not eligible for grants to alleviate such pressures.
For more information and to sign the petition | READ MORE
Stay up to date with GOV.UK
Sign up to receive emails when there are changes to any coronavirus information on the GOV.UK website.
DCC Devon Schools Key Information Website
Visit the private Education (school staff only) website which hosts all the key information and guidance in one place so it can easily be referred to by Headteachers and other senior staff. Here is the link to the website - schools are to log in via their usual DCC account.
 Guidance on school leadership support
DfE are offering time-limited, school-to-school recovery support to schools and academy trusts, to help overcome the challenges faced or exacerbated as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Support will be in the form of dedicated time with an experienced system leader for up to 5 days. Additional support to schools with particularly challenging needs may also be provided.
Support will be tailored to the individual needs of the school or academy trust and could include a focus on:
- support or planning with remote learning
- how to use catch-up funding to address gaps in knowledge
- lost leadership capacity due to coronavirus (COVID-19) circumstances
Further information on the support available, eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found in the guidance on school leadership support.
aHead Service
Meet the aHead Service Professional Partners
Read more about the aHead Service on the Devon SLS website which is part of the core offer to all Devon school leaders.
Headship can be isolating and overwhelming, particularly during these challenging times. We wanted to remind you that the team of aHead Professional Partners are here to provide free confidential support and guidance to school leaders and can be contacted via email or phone:
E aHead-DevonSLS@devon.gov.uk T 01392 380518 / 07970 905511
|
Employee Assistance Programme
Free to Devon school leaders (and option to purchase for other school staff).
- Completely confidential and independent service.
- Access available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Support for personal or work issues.
Additional to the aHead Service, Devon SLS is delighted to offer an Employee Assistance Programme to its membership of school leaders. This is a new introduction to the Devon SLS offer and is provided by Education Support.
The EAP provides members with free individual access to a confidential information, support and counselling service which is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day via a dedicated telephone number 08000 856 148 (quoting Devon Schools Leadership Services)
Read more about the Employee Assistance Programme in the EAP Leaflet - Information, guidance and support for wellbeing.
Devon SLS discounted offer for schools membership
We have negotiated a special rate for Devon schools to purchase an EAP for their own school / MAT / Federation workforce at £10.00p plus VAT per employee (normal published rate £14.50p) noting that the DCC scheme is not available to Local Authority school staff.
For more information please contact Clare Coates, Business and Operations Manager at Devon SLS - clare.coates@devon.gov.uk
|
Learner Services to Schools Contract re-commissioning
Public Consultation
Babcock LDP (External Provider) currently provides the Education and Inclusion services (Services) on behalf of Devon County Council (DCC) through a service contract (Contract). The Contract is due to expire on 31st March 2022. However, there is the option to extend it for up to a maximum of 12 months if required.
Following the schools consultation a public consultation is now being held on the way Education and Inclusion services across Devon County Council are delivered.
Here is a link to the Public Consultation and more information - the closing date for responding to this consultation is 5pm on 1st December 2020.
|
 HMCI commentary: findings from visits in October
Amanda Spielman discusses what Ofsted found in their visits to education and children’s social care providers during October | READ MORE
 S175 Safeguarding Audit
A reminder for schools to undertake the S175 audit for this year, noting that the deadline for completion is Friday 18 December 2020.
To complete the audit, please follow the link to the smart survey: Devon County Council School Safeguarding Audit 2020/2021
NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe Programme
Message from Colette Hudson, Devon & Torbay Area Co-ordinator
School Service
Due to the effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, we’ve changed the way our Speak out. Stay safe. programme is delivered and therefore our staff and volunteers won’t be delivering the programme in schools at the moment.
We are delighted however, that with the amazing support of Ant and Dec we have launched a virtual version of our safeguarding programme for the autumn term – Speak out. Stay safe. online.
This offer, available for children aged 5 to 11, includes access to video assemblies and supporting resources for use in the classroom.
A BSL version is also available for d/Deaf children, and our specially adapted SEND version of Speak out. Stay safe. remains available as usual.
Visit the NSPCC Learning website for more information and resources for schools, parents and carers.
Contact: Colette.Hudson@nspcc.org.uk
|
Read the latest DAG newsletter Issue 199 (16/11/20) HERE
Visit the DAG website to subscribe to newsletters and register for DAG membership.
|
|
