Our Attendance Service Continues to Expand: Welcome to Welfare Call
Attendance Monitoring data is a vital tool allowing Authorities to take control and react where problems arise and strive for improvements in their absenteeism and exclusion figures. We already work with more than 75% of Local Authorities to ensure that… Read more
Reflections on the NAVSH conference 2023
A massive thank you to everyone who came to say hello and chat with us at the NAVSH conference 2023. We had a fantastic two days at the event and as always it was lovely to catch up with… Read more
Cyber Essentials: Some big changes made in 2022
In January, the NCSC announced an update of the Cyber Essentials technical controls. This move was part of a regular review of the scheme to ensure it keeps evolving as the threat landscape and technologies change. That update was… Read more
Come and meet us at the NAVSH 2023 Annual Conference in Manchester, Weds 8th & Thurs 9th March 2023
This week we’re taking part in the NAVSH annual conference at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester on Weds 8th & Thurs 9th March 2023. We’re very much looking forward to seeing you all during the two-day… Read more
Electronic PEPs: their rise in popularity and the benefits of moving your PEPs online
Over the last 15 years Welfare Call has witnessed – and been a crucial part of – a fundamental evolvement in the way children’s personal education plans (PEPs) are accessed and completed. Whilst there is still a proportion of… Read more
Welfare Call accepted for the government G-Cloud 13 Framework
Welfare Call are happy to announce that we’ve once again been accepted on the latest iteration of the Government certified Digital Marketplace framework, G-Cloud 13. The G-Cloud framework is an initiative that the Government began in 2012 to provide UK… Read more
National Mourning Closure : Monday 19th September
As you will probably be aware Britain has been given an extra bank holiday for the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday September 19th. The DfE has confirmed that all schools and colleges should close on the bank… Read more
Celebrating Success: Internal Staff Changes
We have recently conducted internal interviews for two senior posts and are pleased to announce the following internal staff changes: Rebecca Fevers – Head of Product Development Rebecca has worked for Welfare Call for over ten years and over… Read more
Welfare Call Forum: Give us your views
For the last two years, we have been unable to host our annual forums (usually hosted in Leeds and central London in November) due to the impact which COVID has had. Instead, we have hosted and conducted a series of… Read more
Increased government focus on children with a social worker: how do you monitor CiN & CP attendance?
On the 6th May 2022, the DfE published a guidance document named Working together to improve school attendance. The guidance is intended to help schools, academy trusts, governing bodies, and local authorities maintain high levels of school attendance. It… Read more
Youth Justice Board to Pilot Supported Accommodation Scheme for Children In Custody
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is working with London councils to establish a specialist supported accommodation programme as an alternative to placing young people in custody. The board wants to pilot a bespoke supported setting to address the high number… Read more
Pupil Premium allocations and conditions of grant for 2022-2023
The goal of the pupil premium grant(PPG) is to raise the educational attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities to help them reach their potential. The government has just published its Pupil Premium allocations and conditions of grant for 2022-2023… Read more
Further £16.6m Funding Confirmed for Virtual Schools by Will Quince MP
Last month saw the return of the National Association of Virtual School Heads Conference as an in-person event at London’s Earls Court. It was great to catch up with virtual heads in person after working alongside them remotely for so… Read more
Where are England’s Children? Safeguarding the most vulnerable children through Attendance monitoring
This week saw the publication of Where are England’s Children? Interim findings from the Children’s Commissioner’s Attendance Audit. In order to investigate how much Local Authorities (LAs) know about children that are missing education, the Children’s Commissioner’s office… Read more
Lisa Linscott & Dorset Virtual School: Our Journey with Welfare Call
Lisa Linscott is Virtual School Head and Principal Teacher at Dorset Council. The Virtual School provides education for children in care (CiC), and also for previously looked after children (PLAC). Its mission is to improve the education and life… Read more
The use of Pupil Premium Plus to Improve Educational Outcomes for Looked After Children
A recent paper written by Bath Spa University highlighted the variations in how different virtual schools allocate and manage Pupil Premium allocations, and the need to be able to measure and isolate the impact of PP+. As identified in this… Read more
NAVSH Conference 2022: How to widen the brief without losing the plot
We are really looking forward to seeing you all in person at the NAVSH conference on 16th – 17th March 2022 at Earl’s Court, London. This year’s theme is “How to widen the brief without losing the plot” so we’ll… Read more
Does your Authority issue fines to parents of absent children? New consultation launched by DfE to end postcode lottery in how schools manage avoidable absence.
Does your Authority issue fines to parents of absent children? The issue of pupil attendance data has been talked about a lot over the past couple of weeks as the government has proposed that they are looking to set a… Read more
New Government Initiative: Support for vulnerable young people in serious violence hotspots
We’re interested to learn of a new government initiative to support young people across England who are most at risk of serious violence or gang exploitation Support for vulnerable young people in serious violence hotspots – GOV.UK The targeted… Read more
Cyber Essentials : 2021 Confirmed Compliant
“Despite the challenges and substantial changes in working practices over the last 12 months, as we all get used to a new ‘normal’ we are delighted to say that our security processes have met the everything 2020 could throw at… Read more