- Your LGA
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- High-Level Guide
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- LSC Staffing Transfer - FAQs and Answers
- React Bulletin
- React Evaluation
- React Presentations
- The Training & Development Programme
- Up-dates on staff transfer from LSC
- About React
- Archived Items
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About React
What does the React programme do?
1. As the detailed policy is developed, the React Programme will provide support to the DCSF by:
- facilitating discussion between national and local experts on technical issues such as funding, staff transfer, planning and commissioning;
- providing advice to Ministers and officials on the development of the legislation and associated guidance and its impact on local government;
- informing the DCSF of good practice in local authorities.
2. The React Programme supports local authorities with the transfer of responsibilities by:
- working to develop local understanding of the positive impact of joing up 16-19 education with other services for young people;
- working to ensure that the transfer of responsibility for 16-19 education is considered as a cross-council activity;
- providing a unified network for effective communications and the provision of authoritative advice and guidance across the local authority sector, including to council leaders, lead members for children and young people, chief executives, and directors of children’s services;
- working with council finance officers as they prepare for the transfer of funding and duties;
- ensuring a clear focus on integrating support for young people aged up to 25 with additional needs;
- ensuring an effective focus on learner support, including transport and maintenance, particularly for vulnerable young people;
- gathering information from across the country, providing and disseminating examples of effective practice;
- through regional arrangements, support local councils as they prepare their plans for the transfer of duties.
3. The React Programme works to develop and sustain effective working between national organisations including:
- Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS)
- Association of Colleges (AoC)
- Sixth Form Colleges Forum (SFCF)
- The 157 Group of Colleges
- Association of Learning Providers (ALP)
- Local Government Association (LGA)
- Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)
- The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and its successors
and between local and regional agencies and partnerships including:
- Local Authorities:
- Local Strategic Partnerships
- Children’s Trusts
- 14-19 Partnerships
- Education-Business Partnerships
- Secondary schools
- Sixth Form Colleges
- Further Education Colleges
- Training providers
- Chambers of Commerce
- Regional Development Agencies
- Third sector providers
How is the React Programme doing this?
The React Programme comprises only a small team and is not able to provide regular advice or support to each of the 150 local authorities with children’s services responsibilities in England. However, we work as a priority with the small number of sub-regions who need, or have requested additional support to prepare for the transfer. We provide frequent communication and updates to local and sub-regional organisations. In partnership with LGA we provide and support national and regional events to ensure effective networking.
The React Programme maintains a website and publishes a fortnightly buletin giving up-to-date position statements, advice and guidance.
The React Programme represents local councils in national discussions, calling on the LGA, IDeA, Local Government Employers and specific experts when required.
Who is involved in the React Programme?
The initial team comprises the following colleagues, on a mixture of part-time and full-time arrangements; the team will be fully operational in January 2009, and will be strengthened by further appointments over coming months, including a senior secondment from the The Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
John Freeman, Director
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John Freeman will start full-time with the React Programme in January 2009. Prior to that he has been Director of Children's Services for Dudley MBC since 2005, where he was appointed as Director of Education in 2001. John had previously worked in Birmingham, Hertfordshire, London, and Somerset. John has had a keen interest on 14-19 education since his post as Director of TVEI in Birmingham. In 2007/08 John was one of the inaugural Joint Presidents of the Association of Directors of Children's Services. john.freeman@lga.gov.uk |
Alison Miller
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Alison is leading for React on relationships with the third sector, councillors and links to the LGA. In her LGA capacity Alison works on child poverty and a number of issues on performance management and assessment of councils. |
Donald Rae
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Donald Rae is Assistant Director in the Children and Younger Adults Department with Derbyshire County Council. He is responsible for the outcomes for young people aged 11-25 in Derbyshire, ensuring the co-ordination of provision made by a wide range of organisations especially those involved in education, health, social care and youth justice. Donald worked in schools and colleges for ten years before joining Derbyshire where he has continued to work in partnership with agencies involved in post 16 learning, including representing local authorities on LSC national groups. He is a board member of Lifelong Learning UK. |
The React Programme is being coordinated by:
James Huke
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James is the Project Co-ordinator for the React Programme. He is responsible for the organisation of the programme including conferences, publications and team logistics. |
Paul Ogden
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Paul is the Programme’s Business Manager and is responsible for managing the business of the Children and Young Peoples Board, financial and resource management, and for work that falls outside specific policy officer areas. |
The React Programme
Local Government House
Smith Square
London SW1P 3HZ
Publications
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React Prospectus Download the prospectus to find out more about the React programme.
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LGA, AoC and ADCS protocol The Protocol makes ten suggestions for building a new and impoved relationship between local government and colleges. It is an expression of the shared commitment between LGA, AoC and ADCS to working together nationally to promote young people's outcomes.