Weekly Newsletter - 5.12.2024

PLUS: Agilisys and SCIE Partner: A Game-Changer for SEND

Author

Rafe Houston
December 05, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Special Educational Needs

Welcome to UK GovTech SEND, your weekly newsletter offering the latest insights, strategies, and updates helping UK educators and leaders champion inclusivity and innovation in special educational needs and disabilities.

🎤 Agilisys on LinkedIn: A Remarkable Evening at NCASC 2024

Alongside the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) we have just concluded an inspiring panel, celebrating the launch of our strategic partnership. Together, we are paving the way for the safe and ethical adoption of GenAI in social care.
Panellists spoke about the need for the social care sector to be bold and harness the power of Generative AI to make real changes in the lives of those engaging with the social care sector.
That is why partnerships like this one between Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Agilisys are critical to driving real change – we are building solutions in conjunction with industry experts to help social care teams spend less time on admin and more time where it matters most: supporting people.

EDUCATION SECTOR

The UK government has allocated £740m to enhance mainstream schools for SEND pupils, addressing a rise in numbers since 2015. This funding aims to adapt buildings and create SEN units. Head teacher Richard Horsfield from Brighouse High School acknowledges their commitment to SEND pupils but emphasises financial constraints, such as a £250,000 lift repair.

Despite funding challenges, the school supports SEND pupils through academic and emotional help, showcasing examples like pupils Charlie and Freya, who benefit from specialist support spaces. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stresses that while funding is necessary, systemic reform is crucial for effective long-term solutions, emphasising the goal to enable SEND pupils to attend schools closer to home.

EDUCATION POLICY ANALYSIS

Wirral families report severe distress over inadequate SEND support, as alleged mismanagement by the former Conservative government left services strained and financially unsustainable. A Labour motion calls for funding reforms, with cross-party consensus acknowledging improved efforts under local leadership despite ongoing struggles and the need for systemic change.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Accessing public services often means navigating disconnected systems and outdated processes. Digital transformation efforts frequently prioritise technology over addressing the needs of the people they serve. By focusing on citizens rather than systems, governments can build trust, improve outcomes, and strengthen communities.

A citizen-centric approach to digital transformation involves engaging with citizens to co-design services and leveraging technology like Gen AI to reduce inefficiencies. For example, Agilisys’s tools for creating Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) streamline administrative tasks, allowing staff to spend more time personalising services and improving outcomes.

Key principles for successful transformation include flexibility, transparency, and addressing systemic inefficiencies. Agilisys’s expertise in integrating Gen AI and scalable solutions for public sector organisations showcases how these ideas can be effectively implemented, ultimately delivering services that meet citizens' needs while fostering trust and efficiency.

EDUCATION POLICY

Economic cold spots and educational challenges: Schools in economically disadvantaged areas face significant challenges, including recruitment issues and high pupil absenteeism. These issues, coupled with a lack of opportunities such as apprenticeships, make it difficult to improve life chances. There's a pressing need to maximise school attendance and enhance educational quality, acknowledging the role of geographical location.

Recognising and addressing double disadvantage: The double disadvantage of poverty and education is exacerbated by inadequate SEND support and alternative provision. Areas branded as Education Investment Zones received additional funding in 2022, highlighting ongoing disparities. Policymakers aim to address these challenges without lowering expectations, advocating for increased funding and systemic support. Schools must work collectively to overcome deeply ingrained educational inequalities.

Hi, I’m Ibby, Head of Go-To-Market for our Generative AI tools at Agilisys Transform. Before joining, I was experimenting with GenAI in the Mayor of Newham’s office, working to improve citizen outcomes for a bustling borough of over 300,000 people. Now, as I dive into the world of local government innovation, I’ll be sharing the cool things I discover along the way.

The SEND Crisis - Why We Can’t Wait

The SEND system is failing the very children it was designed to support. Delays in diagnosis and care leave parents, particularly mothers, overwhelmed as they navigate a labyrinth of paperwork and bureaucracy just to secure the help their children deserve. Many are forced to quit their jobs to fight for basic rights, sacrificing their own futures while the system struggles to keep up. Meanwhile, the much-needed systemic reforms are still years away. Families can’t afford to wait that long, and neither can our children.

What frustrates me most is seeing how generative AI is already transforming industries in the private sector. From improving customer service with personalised support to streamlining operations and enhancing data accuracy, I’ve witnessed first-hand how this technology unlocks efficiencies and drives innovation. There’s no reason it can’t do the same for SEND. Tools like EHCP Plus, which have been developed to speed up the drafting of Education, Health, and Care Plans, are just the beginning. By slashing the time spent on paperwork, caseworkers could focus on what truly matters: supporting children and families when they need it most.

We can’t let generative AI remain a tool of profit-driven industries while public services are left behind. The SEND crisis demands bold action now, and technology like EHCP Plus is a critical part of the solution. For families trapped in this broken system, every day matters. It’s time to ensure that generative AI isn’t just a private-sector success story but a catalyst for better lives and brighter futures for our children.

👉 Keep up with Agilisys Transform on their website or on LinkedIn.

EDUCATION POLICY

Phoenix School partners with Tower Hamlets Local Education Authority to create specialist SEND classrooms within mainstream schools. This initiative addresses the high demand for special school places, reducing costs and delivering tailored education. Phoenix's model enhances inclusion by integrating specialist resources and training within the mainstream educational framework.

PARTNERSHIP NEWS

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has partnered with Agilisys to transform social care with Generative AI. Unveiled at the NCASC conference, this collaboration promises to cut admin tasks and empower professionals to focus on personalized care.

With tools like Agilisys’s QuickAction already reducing workloads by 30%, SCIE CEO Kathryn Smith calls this a game-changer for tackling sector challenges. Together, they’re driving innovation to deliver better outcomes for those who need it most.