[senco-forum] query

Thanks Ruth - feel slightly more secure in post (although less positive
about the impact I can make) So do we really rely on people being moral
and ethical? Is there no big stick I can shake at the Head? Aren't there
any legal precedents? Or examples of schools being sued by individuals?
Surely this provision (and the students) must be better protected than
reliance on people being moral and ethical (call me cynical, but they're
a disappearing breed)
Thanks for making me feel a bit better though!
Jessica

-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Newbury [mailto:rmnewbury at ntlworld.com] 
Sent: 01 October 2007 14:38
To: Cannon - Miss J; senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Cc: 1 - Ruth Newbury
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] query - where does the buck stop?[Scanned]

Your Governors are the people who "approve the budget" - the school
manages
it.

Too much ring fenced money is never audited - and I am afraid that
schools
get used to doing what they choose with money that should rightfully be
spent somewhere else.

When I had a line manager  and SEN Governor who had a dead straight
moral
and ethical view of what money was SEN - I got every penny I should
have.

When they moved on I am afraid that I got dodgy people and had nearly
half
my budget removed to bolster up the schools budgetry deficit!

You need to spell out to your SEN governor exactly what is happening.
The
responsibility here is the schools - and the governing body - not you.
You,
I am afraid, will suffer the "Moses" syndrome - you are required to make
bricks without straw!

Regards

Ruth - who has to admit that she has not been a governor for some years
-
but that is what the situation would have been - and in my eyes -
morally
still is!

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Cannon -
Miss J
Sent: 01 October 2007 12:11
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senco-forum] query - where does the buck stop?

WARNING!
Slightly rambling hastily written email!

A hypothetical situation

SEN funding (100% of it derived via Audit) all spent up! Some heated
discussion between SENCo and Head about what it 'should' be spent on and
what it is spent on.
Yr 9 Student - BESD Statement quantifying 15hrs TA support. SEN dept can
only provide 2.5! (If we re-direct support, it would leave a 'support
class' with 3 statemented students without any support).  BESD student
very much at risk of permanent exclusion.
SENCo highlights dilemma to Head. Also points out high likelihood of any
exclusion being overturned because of the school failing to meet his
Special Ed Needs. 
Head moans..."I can't magic money from no-where...." 
SENCo replies "fine - just to alert you and 'pass the buck'; I can only
work with the resources I'm given."
Head replies "we share the buck - we are jointly responsible"
Heads suggestion was to move BESD student (average ability) into support
groups to access support. SENCo declined suggestion!

Questions
1. Is there anything stronger than 'should' in any guidance about where
SENCos / admin support is funded from?
2. Any ideas on how to support this young man - to make his life chances
a bit more positive and to avoid perm. excl.?
3. Anyone found any effective ways to squeeze money and put it back
where it belongs?
4. Am I legally / professionally responsible for the failure to meet
this students needs?

Any equally rambling advice appreciated!
Thanks
Jess