SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT 2017 2018 1. PURPOSE OF THE SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT. 1.1. The purpose of this (SLA) is to define the relative rights and responsibilities of purchasing organisations and the London Borough of Lambeth s Educational Psychology Service (LEPS). 1.2. This SLA sets out the details of the psychological service that will be provided by LEPS, the performance standards, who will provide it and how it will be monitored. It will also give information about responsibilities that would be met by the school/educational setting. 1.3. Schools are advised to use the SLA arrangements to purchase the level of service needed at the beginning of the financial year (April 2017 to March 2018) to guarantee access to the Educational Psychology support. 1.4. Schools (and other education providers) who commit to purchasing Lambeth Educational Psychology services will have their time guaranteed within the financial year. Requests for ad hoc or additional services later in the year will be subject to availability and dependent upon the allocated EPs availability. 2. CONTACT INFORMATION Sharon Synmoie (Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist) e-mail: ssynmoie@lambeth.gov.uk Lambeth Educational Psychology Service 10 th Floor International House Canterbury Crescent LONDON SW9 7QE Phone: 020 7926 9658 Email: LEPS@lambeth.gov.uk Website: http://www.lambethschoolservices.co.uk/services/74 1
3. REQUESTING EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY INVOLVEMENT 3.1. LEPS services are commissioned by a school/educational setting. Activities undertaken as part of the SLA will be planned in consultation with school/setting SENCo, school staff and practitioners as appropriate. 3.2. This SLA is a contract for the financial year April 2017 March 2018 (beginning of summer term 2017 to end of spring term 2018). This should be read before purchasing sessions on the Lambeth Schools Services website http://www.lambethschoolservices.co.uk/services/74 NB: By purchasing sessions on Lambeth Schools Services Website you are agreeing to the content of this. 2
4. PURCHASING OPTIONS & COSTS (1ST APRIL 2017 31ST MARCH 2018) Type of session Statutory work Critical Incident support EP Consultation sessions Description Statutory Assessment, Tribunals (directed by SEN) Support for SMT in schools in managing CI; Support with identification of vulnerable pupils and staff. Support for schools in developing policies and preventative approaches in relation to Critical incidents This model of sessions allows for EP time to be used flexibly following negotiation with the school. Following initial consultation, EP work often includes assessment, systemic work (parent/ staff groups etc); therapeutic interventions or packages and training Each sessions consists of 2.5 hours direct contact time (cost is inclusive of travel and associated administration). Where schools require extra sessions that are additional to what they have already requested we cannot guarantee consistency of EP allocated to deliver your sessions. Max Number of Cost sessions per term N/A 0 N/A 0 To be negotiated 75 per hour 15 400 per session Bespoke training Bespoke training is available for schools where a school has not negotiated training via allocated EP time and require additional training sessions. Please also refer to SLA on line for centralised training that we will be offering from September 2016. via www.lambethschoolservices.co.uk 1 hour presentation 2 hour presentation Whole morning (3 hours) Whole day (5 hours) 160 300 400 560 All our training is bespoke and tailored to the organisation s needs (Prices include travel & preparation time). 3
5. Use of Doctorate Trainee Students The Educational Psychology Service has strong training links with a number of London Universities and has a history of supporting and encouraging the professional development of Doctoral Trainee Educational Psychologist. As a result of this we often allocate Trainee EPs to school to provide an EP service. Trainees are highly regarded as offering an efficient and effective service to schools and receive a high level of supervision and guidance. To reflect this we will be charging school 350 per session instead of 400 a discount of 12.5%. 6. EP Consultation time: what you are paying for? Costs are made up of 2.5hrs (direct contact) on site, plus travel costs to and from the site as well as non-contact time or administration time. This latter time will routinely be conducted off-site and consists of: record keeping, research, liaising with parents/carers and other professionals, scoring of tests, preparation for INSET/ training and the writing of advice and consultation records as appropriate. 7. PURCHASING SESSIONS HOW:All Educational Psychology sessions must be purchased online, via Lambeth Schools Services website: www.lambethschoolservices.co.uk Each school will have a back office team. In the team there will be a member who has the permissions to purchase traded services from this site. If you are not sure who can do this in your school please contact Gillian Douglas of Lambeth Schools Services Traded Team gdouglas@lambeth.gov.uk and she will be able to inform you of the person to speak to. WHEN: Schools will be able to purchase sessions from 1 ST MARCH 2017 UNTIL 31 ST MARCH 2017. During the first two weeks of April (school holidays) we will be allocating Educational Psychologists to schools based on this purchase information. We cannot guarantee you delivery of all sessions requested or continuity of Educational Psychologist if you book after FRIDAY 31 st MARCH 5PM PURCHASES AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A 5% ADMINISTRATION FEE AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE THE NUMBER OF SESSIONS REQUESTED/ PURCHASED. PRICES WILL RETURN TO NORMAL FROM 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017. WHILST WE WILL DO ALL THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY OF SERVICE BY NOT CHANGING YOUR ALLOCATED PSYCHOLOGIST, REQUESTS RECEIVED AFTER OUR DEADLINE DATE ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO REVISIONS. 4
Additional or ad hoc sessions can still be purchased throughout the financial year where we have availability. However, we urge schools to commit to purchasing during the month of March so that we can allocate Educational Psychology time efficiently and recruit additional support if there is a need. In this way we can make the best offer to all of our schools and maintain a continuity of service to you. 8. PAYMENT SCHEDULE 8.1 School will be charged IN ADVANCE three instalments, a third of total sessions purchased on line, as follows: April 2017 for Summer Term September 2017 for Autumn Term December 2017 for Spring Term 2018 8.2. Any adjustment due to non delivery of sessions by Educational Psychologist will be made at the end of March/ April 2018. You will not be charged for sessions that our service has not been able to deliver. 9. OVER PURCHASING AND NON USE OF REQUESTED SESSIONS 9.1.1. We will be monitoring termly uptake and usage of visits and will support schools in managing a timely and efficient delivery of these visits. 9.1.2. We will however reserve the right to charge schools for visits requested but not used. This will be up to 50% of the total cost of unused visits where this exceeds 3 sessions. 9.1.3. We also reserve the right to cap those schools who have historically tended to over request but not use them. 10. EQUALITIES 10.1. Use of interpreting services: 10.2. For non-statutory work there is the expectation that schools will provide interpreters for parents or carers where English is not the first language. This will ensure equality of access to our service and transparency of process. 10.3. Access to thebigword.com interpreting and translating services can be accessed via the link: http://www.thebigword.com/engb/solutions/interpreting settings can set up an account and arrange an interpreter 10.4. In negotiation with the school we will at times provide interpreters (also via thebigword) but will charge the school the cost of this. 5
10.5. Reviewing & monitoring referrals As part of ongoing monitoring and management of data we recognise that it is good practice to review types of referrals we as a service receive over a school year. This management enables us to review issues around disproportionality and areas of growing need across the borough. As a part of this process we will be holding yearly reviews with schools along with service evaluation processes. (See section 15 below). 11. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF DELIVERY AND DETAILS OF SERVICE 11.1. An enhanced level of involvement from LEPS provides schools with a range of work aimed at promoting inclusion, psychological well-being and raising achievement across the full range of age and abilities. 11.2. We will : Provide a Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registered Educational Psychologist or doctoral trainee, highly supervised. All EPs and Trainee EPs will have enhanced DBS checks and will provide schools with DBS certificate numbers when assigned to a school and whenever requested by the school Minimise any changes to your designated EP that are due to staff turnover, changes in working hours, maternity or long term sickness. Provide a standardised way of working across the Service through a consultation model. Provide paperwork such as a Record of Consultation, Consultation Review and Record of EP Involvement, as negotiated and agreed with school. Give timely notice of the need to cancel or reschedule visits. The purchasing Organisation is responsible for identifying a key person- normally the SENco/ Inclusion Manager who is responsible for planning and agreeing what activities are undertaken in discussion with LEPS. Schools can decide in consultation with the Educational Psychologist how the time is to be used across the financial year. 11.3. The Educational Psychologist will be able to work in your school: at the individual level. at the group and class level, including staff support and supervision. at the strategic, systems and organisational level, including policy development, whole school teaching and learning, preparation for Ofsted and support following Ofsted. 12. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTIES ENTERING AGREEMENT 6
12.1. Early Years, Schools and FE settings: Identify a SENCo or members of staff for consultation, liaison and planning of LEPS work and activities and release key staff to consult with the Educational Psychologist. Discuss with and obtain informed, signed consent from parents/carers/young people as appropriate, prior to any Educational Psychology involvement. This is a legal requirement. A copy of the LEPS Parents/Carers Leaflet can be given to those involved. Plan the visit with the allocated Educational Psychologist in advance. Ensure appropriate preparation is made prior to an EP interviews, assesses or observes children and young people. Provide an appropriate space for the Educational Psychologist to work. Facilitate the arrangement of appointments and promote attendance, by liaising with parents/carers, child/young person as discussed with Educational Psychologist. Provide access to relevant pupil work and records. Gather data, such as SEND Support Plans, IEPs, provision maps, to support collaborative assessment. Implement agreed action from consultation. Feedback outcomes, scores and agreed actions to involved staff and parents Engage in LEPS evaluation processes to support on-going improvement. 12.2. Lambeth Educational Psychology Service Psychologists will: Agree and jointly plan the most effective and efficient use of the purchased time with an identified member of staff. Arrive punctually for planned visits, informing the school of any unavoidable delay. Endeavour to consult with members of staff who work directly with the child or young person to clarify problems and agree way forward. Provide paperwork such as a Record of Consultation and a Record of EP Involvement with a young person, as negotiated and agreed with school. Be responsible for recording and storage of records and documents. This will be organised through the usual LEPS processes in accordance with the London Borough of Lambeth and LEPS. Both parties will meet their responsibilities in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Endeavour to improve our service (e.g., through moderation and managerial checks, supervision, service evaluation forms completed by school SLT and CPD). 13. APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE 13.1. LEPS requires as much notice as reasonably possible in the event of a cancellation of appointments so that staff can be reallocated to other work. We will attempt to be flexible but in the event of a last minute cancellation we may have to charge the purchasing organisation for an hour. However, there will be 7
no cost or loss of allocation of your time where more than 24 hours notice is given. 13.2. LEPS will attempt to reorganise a further visit within three weeks of the initial cancellation. Every effort will be made to provide services in accordance with the terms of the agreement. 13.3. However if the Educational Psychologist is unable to fulfil the terms of the agreement on the agreed date due to illness or other unpreventable circumstances, LEPS will seek to offer an alternative Educational Psychologist in order to carry out the agreed work. If this is not possible, arrangements will be made to re-schedule carrying out of the required services with no loss of time to the educational establishment. 14. CHANGES TO THE SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT 14.1. Any changes to the agreed number of sessions can be discussed with the EPS by educational settings. Where possible, an increase in sessions will be accommodated although there is no guarantee due to our existing capacity which is agreed following the original requests at beginning of year. 14.2. Termination If either party wish to cancel or terminate the SLA they should do so in writing giving 3 months/ 1 term s notice. Any outstanding monies should be paid/ returned 15. EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK OF SERVICE DELIVERY 15.1. We also endeavour to improve our service through an annual evaluation of LEPS by way of a questionnaire for school SENCOs, Head teachers and Heads of Inclusion. All individual EPs aim to review their practice through informal feedback requests to children and parents. 15.2. All EPs receive regular supervision and moderation of their work. 16. COMPLAINT PROCEDURES 16.1. The Lambeth Educational Psychology Service follows the British Psychological Society Code of Practice and the Health Professions Council s Professional Guidelines. We always maintain Lambeth Council policies as well as our own agreed policies, which reflect the diverse needs of Lambeth communities. 16.2. If the school/setting is concerned with any aspect of service delivery, they should discuss their concerns with their allocated EP. Many concerns, as opposed to complaints, can be easily resolved through discussion with the individual psychologist. You may request such a meeting either by letter or 8
by phone. You may also raise the issue with the Lead Educational Psychologist Sue Frankin, by phone or email: Sue Franklin Lead Educational Psychologist 10 th Floor, International House Canterbury Crescent LONDON SW9 7QE Phone: 020 7926 9658 Mobile: 07887 508 414 Email: sfranklin@lambeth.gov.uk If however you wish to make a formal complaint, please contact the Lead Educational Psychologist, Sue Franklin, in writing. Subsequent investigations will follow formal Council complaint procedures. We will acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days and respond formally to you within 15 working days. 9