Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard

Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard for ELC Providers Laura Hill FFt. C Policy Manager ELC Directorate laura. hill@gov. scot Janice Mac. Innes Professional Advisor ELC Directorate Jack Holden Policy Officer ELC Directorate jack. holden@gov. scot

The Aspiration “We have ambitious aspirations to help ensure that our children can realise their full potential and we hope that, by prioritising high quality ELC and unlocking choice, we will ensure that all our children have opportunities to learn, play and flourish. In our children, we see the measure of our worth as a nation. We are dedicated to providing the essential conditions of love, respect and understanding through which our children can become the happy, fulfilled and successful adults they all have a right to be. ” Maree Todd, Minister for Children and Young People and Cllr Stephen Mc. Cabe, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson

The Approach • Getting It Right for Every Child is at the centre of our approach • Increase from 600 to 1140 hours of ELC for eligible children • ‘Funding Follows the Child’ to be introduced in August 2020 • ‘Provider neutral’ • Introduction of the National Standard for all ELC settings • Created following a national consultation and through the work of the Service Models Working Group

The Key Aspects • Places choice in parents’ and carers’ hands • Can access ELC in any setting who meets the National Standard, has a space available and is willing to enter into a contract with the local authority • Not restricted by local authority boundaries • Clear and accessible information for parents and carers • ELC is free at the point of access with no top-up fees to apply

The Key Aspects • Local authorities as guarantors of quality and key enablers of flexibility and choice • Meaningful and genuine partnership working • Local setting of a sustainable rate, including payment of the real Living Wage and Fair Work Practices • Free meal commitment for every child in a funded ELC session • Commitment to simplifying the process and reducing the burden on providers to deliver the commitment

The Story So Far… • Phasing already started in a number of local authorities to implement 1140 hours before August 2020 • Different approaches have been taken helping to broaden our understanding of local models and local barriers • Recognise this is a transition phase which is allowing us to share ideas and learn about some of the ways forward that can be taken • Supported by the ELC Trials work, including the Evaluation

The Criteria 10 National Standard criteria for all ELC settings to meet in order to be a funded provider, based on research and evidence of effective ELC. These are: 1. Staffing, leadership and management 2. Development of children’s cognitive skills, health and wellbeing 3. Physical Environment 4. Self-Evaluation and Improvement 5. Parent and carer engagement and involvement in the life of the setting 6. Inclusion 7. Business Sustainability 8. Fair Work Practices, including Payment of the Living Wage 9. Payment Processes 10. Food Most criteria are supported by a number of sub-criteria and are also linked to Care Inspectorate quality evaluations.

The Guidance 3 main documents to support implementation of the approach: 1. Principles and Practice 2. Operating Guidance 3. Frequently Asked Questions for Local Authorities and Providers

Short Discussion • Take time to refamiliarise yourselves with pages 6 -9 as a reminder of the key points and principles of the approach

The Further Guidance coming soon… In collaboration with Scotland Excel, we will produce guidance on: • Transition Options • Sustainable Rates • Business Sustainability We are working with colleagues in business, legal, procurement, Fair Work and COSLA to support the transition to 2020.

The Additional Support available • Delivery Support Plan for Providers • National Induction Resource • Online CPL Directory with Care Inspectorate • National information for parents and carers • Workforce Development campaigns • Settings of Innovation • Childminding Summit and Partnership Summit

The Next Steps • Continued engagement and consultation with the sector • Develop support materials to accompany the National Standard • Focus on quality and consistency of approach • Join the ELC Partnership Forum by emailing ELCPartnership. Forum@gov. scot • Establish a Delivery Assurance Team in Scottish Government • National Event on embedding and improving quality across local authorities • Out to Play outdoor learning resource

The Q&A Session • Are there any areas of the National Standard and Funding Follows the Child that need to be clarified? • What is still unclear within the papers and needs more information or support?

The Supporting Materials • Identify key evidence to assess how setting can show they meet the National Standard • Define what further support materials would support implementation to 2020

The Task: Part 1 Workshop For each of the criteria in the National Standard given, define what key evidence could be found in individual settings to show they are meeting the National Standard. • Each group should identify a facilitator and a summariser. • We will be on hand to answer any queries and offer support throughout.

Stakeholder Toolkit For: Local authorities, providers, trusted professionals Purpose: To facilitate shared national/local messaging To include: Timeline of roll out National resources with option to include local info Explanation of FFt. C Information about provider types Case studies Parent Club website For: Parents looking for info about ELC Purpose: To help parents and carers to make informed choices about ELC; to help them to understand their entitlement and how to apply To include: Info on different provider types Case studies/user experience How to find a provider Benefits of ELC Expansion to 1140 Leaflet on Phasing For: existing users of ELC/those registering Purpose: To help parents to understand the current changing landscape, and the difference between phasing and full roll out. To include: Info on 1140 expansion including FFt. C model Very general info on phasing – that it might be certain providers or limited places, depending on local plans Advice to contact local authority for info on local plans National Campaign For: Parents and carers, those working with parents Purpose: To ensure families are aware of the expansion, the new FFt. C model and how to apply To include: Info on benefits Examples of provider types Explanation of FFt. C model How to access your child’s entitlement

The Task: Part 2 Workshop • How do we ensure parents and carers are well informed about FFt. C and NS? • What are the key messages from the policy we need to share with families? • What are the best ways to reach families and communicate effectively between now and 2020?

The Next Steps to 2020 • Identify practical support solutions to ensure implementation of the National Standard from August 2020 • Suggest topics for further engagement and consultation sessions before August 2020

The Task: Part 3 Discussion • What further materials would support us to implement the National Standard by August 2020? • Are there practical guides or other materials which would allow us to share an understanding of what the National Standard looks like across the country? • How can Scottish Government engage further with the sector to secure success in our ambitions? • Are there specific subject areas which require further support?

The Conclusion • 18 months to full roll-out of 1140 hours of ELC in August 2020 • Further engagement and consultation planned from March 2019 • Support to engage with the sector greatly appreciated, for example, identifying case studies • Offer of specific individualised support will be communicated in the Programme Update for ELC

Associated links and documents Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard: Principles and Practice Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard: Operating Guidance Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard: Frequently Asked Questions for Local Authorities and Providers Delivery Support Plan for ELC Providers Scotland Excel Analysis of Survey Findings – December 2018 Evaluation of the ELC Delivery Trials