The government this week extended Capita's contract to run NationalStrategies by one year to March 2011. The value of the extension is64m. But the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)has written to councils to tell them that staff in regional governmentoffices will handle all performance targets for children's services fromnext spring.
A new specialist adviser role will be created to work with councils tohelp them make improvements. The so-called "children and learnersstrategic advisers" will act as a single point of contact.
The arrangements will be piloted in Darlington, Soli- hull, SouthTyneside and Wolverhampton this year, before going nationwide in2010.
Roy Lockwood, director of children's services for Wolverhampton, said:"We won't have to have two separate conversations with NationalStrategies and the DCSF any more. Now we can talk to the same people."He also claimed that the move would help councils establish strongerrelationships with Ofsted.
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