SSE GOVERNANCE
Advice, Support and Development for School Governance Boards
Introduction SSE Governance is just one of the services provided by Support Services for Education (SSE), a trading unit within Somerset County Council. We as an organisation offer a wide variety of services and training to all education providers such as Schools, Academies, Further Education Colleges and Universities. Our Governance service team provide an award-winning comprehensive range of advice, support and training to those volunteering in governance within all educational settings. Through the vital services we provide for professional clerks, governors and trustees, we offer support in delivering educational excellence to all children and young people.
Here are just some of the services our Governance team offer:A helpline via phone and email for specific guidance regarding statutory responsibilities of governance boards. Advice on best practice, procedures and Governance policies. Guidance on complaints and exclusions processes and panels. Immediate access to a diverse range of resources to support the work of governance boards. Our training programme offers continued professional development and reflects current national initiatives, facilitated through e-learning and in face-to-face sessions to both new and existing Governors. Provide access to guidance documentation and toolkits. We ensure that all school boards are kept informed via half-termly electronic news bulletins. We assist in the recruitment and appointment of Governors and Clerks. Meeting attendance if required. Assist boards with Head Teacher performance management reviews. A complete list of all our Governance services and packages can be found on our website www.supportservicesforeducation.co.uk
Support and Advice for Schools The following details list the offers that we can make to both maintained schools and stand-alone academy trusts. Schools can either choose from our Gold, Silver or Bronze package with the addition of any of the further options (excluding the ‘briefing package’ as this offer is already including within the Gold and Silver packages). Schools can choose not to purchase our Gold, Silver or Bronze packages but take a pick and mix from the further options we have available. This offer is also available to multi-academy trusts; however, they may wish to create a more bespoke package. So, we ask that they contact us directly to discuss their exact needs so that we can then provide a bespoke quotation.
Our support and advice packages for all schools Our silver package offers advice and support via email and telephone and includes: Board composition and advice on drafting of Instruments of Government/Articles of Association. Advising on the processes in the appointment of Members, Trustees, Governance volunteers and Professionals. Assist in the recruitment of ALL individuals to the governance and trustee boards. Governance practices, procedures and policies. Guidance on complaints and exclusions processes and panels. Access to service resources and publications to include guidance documents and toolkits. ½ termly electronic newsletter. School organisation advice and support i.e. joining or forming a MAT/Federation/Partnership with another Maintained School. Termly Clerks’ Briefings – attendance at the briefings for clerks to the board Termly Chairs meetings – attendance at the meeting for the Chair or other governor representative. New Governor Induction training sessions. Our Silver package ranges from £500 - £750, this is dependent upon whether you are a primary, middle or secondary school. If you would like an exact price for your school then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us ssegov@somerset.gov.uk. Our Gold service also offers access to The Key for School Governors, online articles and resources.
Training and Development 2020/2021 2-hour online learning sessions. These online sessions will offer learning and access to related resources and will cover topics such as: Complaints Data protection Exclusions HR Headteacher Performance Management Safeguarding and much more... Bookings via the SSE website. Session price per delegate: £20 UNLIMITED ACCESS to all 2-hour online learning sessions for £85 per governance board, visit our website here to find out more.
BRIEFING PACKAGE
INDUCTION SESSIONS
A package to access the ½ termly Clerks briefings and termly Chairs Meetings at a cost of £144 per board.
New Chairs – Leading the Team £53 per delegate
Clerks briefings update clerks on relevant changes in national legislation, local updates and best practice providing support to the clerk in their professional advisor role to their governance boards. Chairs Meetings are an opportunity for chairs, or any other governor representing their governance board, to meet termly and discuss local and national issues with colleagues.
New Clerks Induction £118 per delegate New Governor/Trustee Induction £53 per delegate
WHOLE BOARD DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS Whole Board Training - 2 hour session on any topic within our development programme designed and adapted to meet the needs of your board at a charge of £226.
GOVERNANCE REVIEW / SELF EVALUATION We can offer a full governance review or help the board to carry out its own self-evaluation. Price on application dependent on your specific need.
Whole Board Workshops - 2 hour bespoke session to develop best practice to ensure that your board is operating as effectively as it should at a charge of £315.
Why Choose SSE Governance?
"As a customer it is clearly recognisable that the well-being and educational outcomes of Children and Young People are at the heart of the Service."
"SSE Governance recognises the individuality of schools and academies and works proactively with them to achieve the best outcome to any issue."
"Without the clear factual guidance from the SSE Governance Team I would not be able to stay up to date and carry out the tasks required of a Clerk."
Our team members have years of experience and can keep those volunteering in governance up to date with national and local trends and initiatives. Winner of the Chartered Governance Institute (ICSA) award for Service Provider of the Year 2019, we can speedily get vital information out to subscribers effectively through our website, half-termly bulletin, social media platforms and subscriber email distribution list. Our training is always current and relevant and is led by experienced facilitators who are knowledgeable in their specialised topics. We ensure that what we offer is relevant and competitively priced, especially as we are a part of a non-profit organisation whose aim is to support young people in their education. We offer flexibility to meet individual specific needs for boards.
Key Contact Details
Ann Adams – Governance Service Manager Sarah Carter - Project and Research Manager Kate Edwards – New Business Development Manager Email: SSEGov@somerset.gov.uk Tel: 0300 7906 855 For latest news and updates follow us on twitter @SSE_Governance Website details www.supportservicesforeducation.co.uk If you would like to discuss any of our services in more detail please do not hesitate to email us SSEGov@somerset.gov.uk