This week I highlight additional DfE funding for governor and trustee training, research into effective anti-bullying practices with case studies from schools and funding to deliver national pilots trialling high quality mental health assessments for children and young people entering the care system.

Plans to boost training for governors and trustees
The Education Secretary announced at the recent NGA annual conference that governors played a vital role in providing the highest standard of education and opportunity for children and young people to fulfil their potential.

He recognised the need to boost governor recruitment and retention and a new recruitment video online for social media is being produced which he asked Governors to add their voice to.  He is writing to the members of the Institute of Directors urging them to encourage employees to take on the role and give them the time it requires.  As well as increasing the funding for governor and trustee training (£6 million) up to 2021 and working with organisations to develop and improve the guidance and other materials available to governors, trustees and clerks.

Approaches to preventing and tackling bullying
This week the DfE published research into anti-bullying practices used by schools to prevent and tackle bullying, including a range of case studies. The report contains common themes found throughout the research and its intended to be used as a resource by schools and other stakeholders looking for examples of anti-bullying practices.

Improved mental health support for children in care
The DfE has awarded £240,000 to a group of organisations (led by the Anna Freud Centre) to deliver up to 10 national pilots over two years, trialling new high quality mental health assessments for children and young people as they enter the care system.  It is hoped that these will ensure young people are assessed at the right time, with a focus on their individual needs as they enter care. The pilot areas will also benefit from a share of £650,000 to deliver the scheme.

A consortium led by SQW, an economic development and social research organisation has been awarded £150,000 to carry out an independent evaluation to look at the effectiveness and impact of the pilots.