School Standards Minister, Estelle Morris, announced today that the Government is seeking new providers and consultants to meet the expected increase in the number of LEA interventions.
The Government will establish contracts with a number of organisations for the provision of general management consultancy and advice related to the administration and support of maintained school education and services to pupils and parents. These services may relate to any of the current LEA functions and typically will build on OfSTED LEA inspection reports. These might include advising the LEA on how to address concerns highlighted by OfSTED, managing contracts for service delivery, provision of interim LEA management and producing financial information packs or engaging due diligence procedures for the LEAs concerned.
The Government will also establish a list of selected contractors who can perform in a cost-effective way the council’s role in supporting schools and providing services to pupils and parents. This might include, for example, preparing and implementing statutory plans such as the Education Development Plan, including support for literacy, numeracy and schools causing concern; providing pupil welfare services; providing SEN services and financial monitoring.
The deadline for receipt of expressions of interest in the provision of consultancy services is 10 March 2000. The deadline for the receipt of bids for the provision of education services is 10 March 2000.
