Deb Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29123 There's a letter in the May edition of Early Years Educator concerning the above petition from Jenny Barber, Early Years Consultant and trainer in London. The DfE Surestart Grant given to local authorities was ring fenced and thus used for the purpose in which it was intended i.e. supporting our youngest children and families, by providing quality affordable childcare, children centres, raising the quality of the workforce, narrowing the gap and early intervention. This grant has been replaced by the EIG and the ring fence has been removed. Local authorities are now not using it for the purpose to which it was intended. The government should therefore bring back the ring fencing. Please visit the site to sign the petition if you want the government to debate the issue in parliament. Quote
Guest Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 Have just signed the petition but at this moment in time there are only a few signatures on there. Need more xx Quote
Cait Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) Going to do it now! Done, was number 92 Edited April 4, 2012 by Cait Quote
sunnyday Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 All done - thanks for bringing this to our attention Deb Quote
finleysmaid Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 debs ...can i ask why you are in support of this petition? it seems to me that the information from the department of education makes sense (http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare/delivery/funding/a0070357/eig-faqs#faq1) Our area is not welll supported by childrens centres and sure start hardly exists but more money spent on childrens mental health would be very welcome. The problem with ring fencing is that it allows very little freedom for councils to support some more unusual groups. Quote
Inge Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) debs ...can i ask why you are in support of this petition? it seems to me that the information from the department of education makes sense (http://www.education...7/eig-faqs#faq1) Our area is not welll supported by childrens centres and sure start hardly exists but more money spent on childrens mental health would be very welcome. The problem with ring fencing is that it allows very little freedom for councils to support some more unusual groups. not all areas are using it for those things though.. not being ring fenced it can be used for any purpose , it is not audited and this What can the Early Intervention Grant be spent on? The Government has made clear that the most effective use of this money is for local authorities to determine. stands out to me that it can be diverted to any area they choose.. the list of uses allows it to be used for childrens mental health amongst other things.. so why not ring fence it for that purpose ? Edited April 4, 2012 by Inge Quote
Deb Posted April 4, 2012 Author Posted April 4, 2012 debs ...can i ask why you are in support of this petition? it seems to me that the information from the department of education makes sense (http://www.education...7/eig-faqs#faq1) Our area is not welll supported by childrens centres and sure start hardly exists but more money spent on childrens mental health would be very welcome. The problem with ring fencing is that it allows very little freedom for councils to support some more unusual groups. Of course, Finleysmaid, ask away! As Inge has said, with the ring fencing being removed the letter in the EYE claims that 'the Early Intervention Grant is being put into main local authority budgets so it can, and is, being used to offset reductions to the Area Based Grant that local authorities received from central government and is being used for general purposes. Children are missing out as the strands of funding designated by government for them are being sidetracked to be used in other areas - for example, repairing roads and maintaining parks.' The petition needs 100,000 signatures! There was an article in the November issue of EYE by Purnima Tanuku of the NDNA about this non-ringfenced Early Intervention Grant (EIG). The EIG has a wide remit and is intended to ensure local authorities support children and families, from strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy to help for families with disabled children, to graduate leadership funding, funded places for 2 year olds etc. Because the money is not ringfenced however it has the potential to be spent on anything the local authority identifies as a priority, including services outside of those for children. The government has published a spreadsheet indicating how much each LA has been given under the EIG. www.ndna.org.uk/funding-links Just in case anybody is interested in discussing with their LA what the EIG is being or has been spent on! Quote
sunnyday Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 Of course, Finleysmaid, ask away! As Inge has said, with the ring fencing being removed the letter in the EYE claims that 'the Early Intervention Grant is being put into main local authority budgets so it can, and is, being used to offset reductions to the Area Based Grant that local authorities received from central government and is being used for general purposes. Children are missing out as the strands of funding designated by government for them are being sidetracked to be used in other areas - for example, repairing roads and maintaining parks.' The petition needs 100,000 signatures! There was an article in the November issue of EYE by Purnima Tanuku of the NDNA about this non-ringfenced Early Intervention Grant (EIG). The EIG has a wide remit and is intended to ensure local authorities support children and families, from strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy to help for families with disabled children, to graduate leadership funding, funded places for 2 year olds etc. Because the money is not ringfenced however it has the potential to be spent on anything the local authority identifies as a priority, including services outside of those for children. The government has published a spreadsheet indicating how much each LA has been given under the EIG. www.ndna.org.uk/funding-links Just in case anybody is interested in discussing with their LA what the EIG is being or has been spent on! In Kent we have been very lucky and PVI settings have received money that was set aside for CCs and Sure Start.........this has been very much appreciated and has kept some very small settings such as mine 'afloat' and able to continue to support staffs CPD etc. etc. - I certainly don't want to see Early Years Budget being spent on road repairs :blink: - there still only 99 signatures so 'come on' everyone! Quote
anju Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) signed (106) Edited April 4, 2012 by anju Quote
Guest youngrisers Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 whoop missed this one will sign away... Quote
Guest youngrisers Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 now done up to 119 ps love the poem about the BABIES. Quote
eyfs1966 Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 signed, but it still shows as 119. Confused!! Any chance we could add this to the homepage so that it catches the eye of all users of the forum? Quote
calicojo Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 Signed up. I wasn't aware of this, so it could do with regular bumping to ensure more people see it! Jo Quote
Guest Posted April 29, 2012 Posted April 29, 2012 I've signed and it shows 121 but also shows this as the closing date? 07/02/2013 11:11 Nona Quote
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