Letters to the Editor: Questions over review independence

There are concerns about his lack of experience and about his independence as he is within a small network of favoured politically-connected government advisers and his Frontline social work education company has benefitted from significant government funding.

The alarm calls about the independence of the review are also ringing loudly as the “MacAlister Review” is embedded in the Department for Education with a team of government civil servants assisting MacAlister. The review report will be the “MacAlister Report” authored by MacAlister aided by the civil servants appointed by the DfE.

It heightens the fears that this review is only within the control of the government and is not cross-party or independent, and with MacAlister as the government’s appointed agent. He, with the civil servants will determine with whom he engages and what views are given attention.

It is not too late for the government to rethink, reset and restructure its commitment to what it calls a “once in a lifetime review” rather than ploughing ahead and digging a hole into which the hopes of so many are already tumbling.

Ray Jones, emeritus professor of social work, Kingston University and St George’s, University of London

Free early years training on SLCN

As part of the EYSEND Partnership, I CAN is offering free online training sessions for early years SENCOs, managers and practitioners until the end of March 2021.   

Interested participants wishing to advance their learning and develop new skills should visit www.ican.org.uk and watch I CAN’s core-level webcasts, before booking a place on a follow-up coaching webinar.  

I CAN have two pre-recorded core training webcasts designed to introduce viewers to speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in the early years and help participants explore its impact on young children.  

Participants that have already had SLCN training can book a place on I CAN’s in-depth training webinars instead, to encourage exploration and identification of new strategies and interventions for children with SLCN and ways to monitor their success.  

Once participants have completed their training, they will be eligible to receive an EYSEND certificate. 

For more email eysend@ican.org.uk. 

Kate Freeman, I CAN – EYSEND Partnership lead

Report highlights need to invest in childcare

The women and equalities committee has published its report, which found that the economic impact of coronavirus has affected men and women differently because of existing gendered economic inequalities, the over-representation of women in certain types of work and the actions of the government. It recommends “reviewing childcare provision to provide support for working parents and those who are job seeking or retraining”.

The childcare sector has been underfunded for years. Since the first lockdown we have been calling for more support for childcare providers.

Our recent survey showed that 58 per cent of nursery businesses were not confident they would survive until Easter. The Chancellor needs to be aware that any plan for jobs needs a plan for childcare. It is essential to enable parents to work or study, but also to give all children early education which is vital for their future prospects.

More than nine out of 10 nursery workers are women, mostly carrying out their vital roles without employers getting the funding they need to be able to properly recognise their contribution. It’s time the government took responsibility for that and reviewed funding for “free” childcare places so it takes account of rising operational costs.

Purnima Tanuku CBE, chief executive of NDNA