Greetings colleagues,

Welcome to the latest edition of Heads-Up. 

This week, the main news that we would like to share with you is around the Warwickshire County Council Budget and County Plan which were both agreed at the meeting of Full Council on Tuesday 8 February. 

This process is an important part of the Council's business and sets out the plans and resources for the years ahead. We know that there will be an Education White Paper for this year, currently scheduled to see the light of day before Easter and we will be working with schools and settings on the possible implications that this might have for them and how to take education forward in Warwickshire. 

The County Plan sets out some key areas of activity and has been supported by the budget which has set out additional funding to meet the increasing costs of supporting pupils with SEND and also those who are children in care, care experienced children or those with a disability. There is also some investment to support the improvements needed as part of the SEND Change and Improvement Programme and early years workforce development. 

Finally, the papers set out how Education Services across Warwickshire are expected to achieve savings as part of the Council's overall approach to ensure a balanced and sustainable budget going forward.

You can find the County Plan here and details on the budget here

Best wishes and thanks

Chris