Validity start date error
We have been made aware of an issue with the Eligibility Checking System which has caused some working parent codes to display an incorrect start date.
The error has resulted in affected parents who applied before the 31 December cut-off to have a code showing an incorrect start date.
Where families have applied before the cut off of 31 December, but their codes are dated between 1 and 8 January, please contact the EEAC team or the Finance team with a screen shot from the parents Secure Messenger Gateway account to show that the parent started the application prior to the cut off deadline date.
The Finance team will then be able to fix the code to enable the hours to be added to your funding screen.
If parents applied and can evidence that they started their application before the deadline of 31 December, parents should not lose their place for this term.
If you have any queries or are unsure of a parents' eligibility, contact the Finance team on 01785 854009 email eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk or the EEAC team on 01785 278201 eeac@staffordshire.gov.uk and we will be happy to advise.
Staffordshire SLCN network
Staffordshire County Council and the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) are pleased to announce the launch of our Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) network.
This is an exciting new way to support speech and language progression in education settings right across the county.
The free network meetings, held on MS Teams, will take place four times a year and will enable professionals to work together to improve educational outcomes by sharing good practice and developing innovative strategies.
Attendees will enjoy interesting and informative discussions, workshops that will offer practical tools and insights, and networking opportunities with peers.
The first meeting will take place on Wednesday 29 January 2025, between 2pm and 4pm via MS Teams.
This session will focus on gathering feedback from attendees, to shape the way we run future network meetings.
Upcoming sessions for 2025:
-
Thursday 3 April 2025 2pm to 4pm via MS Teams
-
Tuesday 17 June 2025 2pm to 4pm via MS Teams
-
Wednesday 1 October 2025 2pm to 4pm via MS Teams
To register for your place on the SLCN network via Eventbrite, click the link below.
Under 2's speech and language screening tool
A reminder that the recently introduced under 2's screening tool is now available on the EY SENIS webpage.
The screening tool is for EY practitioners working with children around the 12 month milestone mark and forms part of the current speech and language pathway to access specialist support.
For further support in using the tool, settings can request a call back from an EY Area SENCO by emailing EYSENIS@staffordshire.gov.uk with the subject title ‘Tuesday helpline’.
Click the link below to learn more.
Free training
Lunch and Learn: Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF)
Friday 7 February 2025 12pm to 1pm via MS Teams
This session, aimed at EY Managers/Leaders, EY SENCO's and practitioners will help you:
- understand what SENIF is and where to find further information
- understand how to apply for SENIF including deadlines and reapplications,
- understand how SENIF should be used and what the criteria is,
- understand how SENIF forms part of the graduated response and the implications of applying for, or not applying for SENIF, for EY children.
All places must be booked through the Practitioner Hub. Click the link below to book your place.
Lunch & Learn: Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Friday 14 February 2025 12pm to 1pm via MS Teams
This session, aimed at EY Managers/Leaders, EY SENCO's and practitioners will help you:
- understand what DAF funding is and the eligibility criteria
- understand how to apply for DAF funding,
- understand how to use the DAF funding effectively,
- understand how DAF funding can enable further reasonable adjustments in your setting.
All places must be booked through the Practitioner Hub. Click the link below to book your place.
Unlock the potential of every child: early years English as an Additional Language (EAL) training
This training session, suitable for childminders and practitioners in nurseries including those on a school site, aims to empower you with the knowledge and tools to support children with English as an Additional Language (EAL). It will support practitioners to:-
• gain an understanding of the complexities of learning English as an additional language,
• explore stages of language acquisition,
• support silent children,
• identify risk factors for underachievement,
• promote cultural identity,
• develop key approaches and explore practices, tools, and resources to support everyday practice.
The session will be delivered face-to-face by a member of the Stronger Practice Hub. Only one place per setting can be offered.
10 February 2025 12:30 to 3:30pm at Stafford Family Hub, Faraday Road, Stafford, ST16 3NQ
To book your place via the Stronger Practice Hub, complete the expression of interest form by clicking the link below.
Understanding parental conflict
This one-day course, aimed at anyone who works directly with children, young people and their parents including school pastoral staff, will give delegates an overview of the key principles of healthy parental relationships and the impact of parental conflict. It will provide practical tools and resources to help delegates identify, explore and support parents in conflict.
The course aims to:-
• explore the key research and evidence linked to parental conflict in the UK, the effects on children and young people,
• be able to confidently define parental conflict and understand the difference between that and domestic abuse,
• understand the key principles of conflict and how it manifests,
• have knowledge of a range of practical tools to identify, explore and support parents in conflict,
• consider the importance of our approach and how we build effective relationships with parents,
• have an understating of referral and signposting options for further support.
11 February 2025 9:30 to 4pm via MS Teams
To book, email children.families.training@staffordshire.gov.uk with the delegate name, setting name, email address, name of course and date. (Please do not contact the EEAC team).
Having courageous conversations with parents and carers
This course, aimed at anyone who works directly with children, young people and their families, provides an opportunity to reflect upon and understand why some conversations can feel difficult. It offers a same space to explore the challenges of difficult conversations and the potential barriers to having open and transparent conversations about sensitive subjects.
The course aims to:-
• explore why some conversations are difficult and the impact on practitioners,
• consider how a restorative approach can support effective discussion by us having empathy for the other parties position,
• explore how conflict can be avoided and minimised,
• discover tips to managing difficult conversations and increase confidence.
4 February 2025 9:30 to 1pm via MS Teams
To book, email children.families.training@staffordshire.gov.uk with the delegate name, setting name, email address, name of course and date. (Please do not contact the EEAC team).
Intra-familial child sexual abuse multi-agency training
The course will increase participants’ awareness of and response to protecting children who are both at risk of or currently experiencing Intra-familial child sexual abuse. It will support practitioners to:-
• understand the typology and prevalence of both intra and extra-familial child sexual abuse, including sibling abuse,
• consider how inherent attitudes and beliefs around sexual, physical and emotional development can have an influence on our ability to safeguard,
• understand and promote the importance of hearing the child’s voice and understanding their lived experience,
• overview of the legal and statutory guidance as well as local protocols in relation to safeguarding and child sexual abuse,
• learn to recognise the indicators of Intra-familial child sexual abuse including behavioural and physical markers,
• have an awareness of the perpetrator, their modes operandi, behaviour and ability to groom and deceive not only the child but the child’s family and those professionals working with the child and family,
• have an awareness of good practice and relevant agencies who can offer therapeutic support for children and families including local offer,
• promote the importance of multi-agency working and cooperation,
• understand the SSCB procedures and guidance in particular the Threshold Framework and Escalation Policy,
• highlight the lessons learnt from national and local child safeguarding practice reviews, including rapid reviews.
Click to book on one of the 3 dates available:-
Friday 24 January 2025 9.30am to 4.30pm via Zoom
Friday 28 February 2025 9.30am to 4.30pm via Zoom
Monday 24 March 2025 9.30am to 4.30pm via Zoom
To book the free prerequisite e-learning click the link below:
https://staffsscp.event-booking.org.uk/elearning-detail/%3DgDM2gjM/Intra-familial-Child-Sexual-Abuse-e-learning
Check SSCP charging policy before booking onto SSCP training
https://www.staffsscp.org.uk/learning-zone/training-costs/
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) briefings
This free session, facilitated by Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP), will cover updates from ESAS, Virtual School, CE Team and learning from Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews in relation to contextual safeguarding/abuse outside the home.
Wednesday 22 January 2025 9:30am to 11:30am via MS Teams
or Wednesday 22 January 2025 3:30pm to 5:30pm via MS Teams
Click the link below to book your chosen session on the SSCP website.
DfE's early education and childcare expansion provider roadshow
This provider roadshow, hosted by the DfE, will be an opportunity to engage with colleagues and share your ideas, concerns and challenges, as well as to listen to government’s future ambitions and visions. The Early Education Minister Stephen Morgan is hoping to come along to some of the events planned throughout the year.
This event is aimed at group-based setting managers who have an interest in shaping early years and childcare policy and delivery.
Venue: Park Regis, 160 Broad St, Birmingham, B15 1DT
Date: 23 January 2025 10:30am to 3.30pm (Registration starts from 10:00am)
Click the link below to register.
Finance news
The Spring Actual task will open on Monday 13 January and will close on Tuesday 21 January 2025.
As this task informs the Early Years Census it is a requirement that all providers registered for funding complete this claim. (If no funded children please return a nil claim or email eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk informing the Finance team that you are not making a claim.)
Unlike previous years the Early Years Census return is not yet available for completion as we are awaiting a software update, and further information will be made available as soon as possible.
To accommodate changes made by the DfE to the Census return, an additional field has been added to this Headcount Task called “Entitlement Weeks”.
Please refer to the attached guidance notes detailing how to complete the new required field. Please note that only a value of 38 weeks for a term-time place or 48 weeks for a stretched place should be input into this field. The Spring Term is 11 weeks for a term-time place and 12 weeks for a stretched place.
Statements for the Spring Forecast payments are available on the portal and any additions/changes can be made on the Spring Actual task.
Autumn Term Statements, detailing the current position for your Autumn claim, including any amendments that have been emailed to the Finance team, are also available on the portal.
As previously advised an Autumn Amendment task will be issued to all Providers on 10 February and close on 14 February 2025 and any payments will be made during week ending 4 April 2025.
If you have any queries please contact the Finance team direct on 01785 854009 or email eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk
BBC Tiny Happy People
BBC Tiny Happy People is a great, free resource from BBC Children’s & Education, designed to help parents and carers develop the speech, language, and communication skills of their 0–4-year-old children at home.
The content, rooted in academic research, is supported by experts in Speech & Language, Health Visiting, Midwifery and Early Years, and is a trusted tool to help families support their children’s development.
The website, packed with activity ideas, tips and advice, child development facts and key talking tips for any age, is perfect for sharing with families.
To discover all the resources, join the free monthly Champions Training session.
Sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on new content and seasonal tips.
Childminder start-up grant application deadlines
A reminder that new childminders who wish to apply for the childminder start up grant will need to finalise their Ofsted or CMA registration by 31 March 2025.
Click the link below for more information on Gov.uk about eligibility and how and when to apply for the grant.
|
