How local authorities can request support from sector-led improvement partners and the result of the bidding process.

Overview

Sector-led improvement (SLI) is designed to help local authorities support each other to improve their children’s services. Local authorities encourage collective responsibility for the performance of the sector by:

  • working collaboratively
  • sharing good practice
  • providing constructive challenge

Changes to the sector-led improvement programme

To date, SLI has been delivered only through the Partners in Practice programme.

We have now separated SLI delivery from the Partners in Practice programme.

We will expand the number of local authorities delivering SLI. This will increase capacity and geographical coverage across all 9 English regions.

We will also be trialling support to help improve local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services alongside services for children’s social care. This will be with a limited number of local authorities.

Results of bidding process

We invited local authorities to submit proposals to work with us as sector-led improvement partners from July 2021.

The bidding and evaluation process is now complete. We have notified successful local authorities.

The following local authorities will deliver sector-led improvement support:

  • Achieving for Children (Kingston, Richmond, and Windsor and Maidenhead)
  • Bi-borough (Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster) with Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Cheshire West and Chester
  • Cornwall
  • Essex
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight
  • Hartlepool
  • Hertfordshire
  • Islington
  • Leeds
  • Lincolnshire
  • North Tyneside
  • North Yorkshire
  • Salford
  • South Tyneside
  • Stockport
  • Telford and Wrekin
  • Warrington
  • Wiltshire

Trial support for SEND services

Subject to final grant agreements, the following local authorities will trial the delivery of support for local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services:

  • Bi-borough
  • Islington
  • Warrington

The trials will take place where local authorities are experiencing cross-cutting issues.

How to access support from a sector-led improvement partner

Local authorities wishing to access support for children’s social care can discuss their requirements with:

  • their Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliance (RIIA)
  • their Department for Education (DfE) children’s social care Regional Improvement Support Lead (RISL)
  • the relevant SLI partner

For support with SEND services, local authorities should contact their DfESEND case lead.

Contact

If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].

Published 16 December 2020
Last updated 4 June 2021 + show all updates

  1. Updated with information on how local authorities can request support from sector-led improvement partners and the result of the bidding process.

  2. First published.

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