education update - issue nine
Introduction
Welcome to the autumn term 2009 edition of our
education legal update, an easy and convenient way for you to stay
up-to-date with legal developments affecting the education sector.
I hope that you will find the contents informative and useful.
As well as advising the full range of education providers on all
their legal issues, we are committed to participating in an
extensive programme of education sector training events. This
update contains details of some of the seminars and conferences we
will be involved in during the autumn term.
Should you require any further information on any of the issues
or events in this edition please feel free to contact us. We would
also be very pleased to hear from you with any views you have in
relation to the update generally.
Articles in this issue
The Independent Safeguarding Authority and
updated Vetting and Barring procedures – your new legal
duties
On October 12 the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)
published guidance on 'The Vetting and Barring Scheme' and
'Referral Guidance'. Dai Durbridge considers the extent to
which the new system affects schools and colleges and whether it
will work.
Read the full
article...
All things being equal
Sarah Houston looks at the changes on the horizon in
respect of discrimination law as a result of the proposed Equality
Bill and the implications for schools and colleges.
Read the full
article...
Delivering diplomas
As a result of the diplomas programme, there
is growing interest in partnerships to deliver education. Now
the Government intends to make it a legal requirement for schools
to collaborate. Nick MacKenzie explains why partnerships are
becoming so important and how collaborations can be made to work in
law.
Read the full
article...
What are shared services?
The current economic climate is putting the public and private
sector under increasing pressure to find ways of cutting
costs. Establishing a shared services arrangement is an
attractive proposition. Dominic Swift explains what is
involved and how it can work.
Read the full
article...
New DCFS guidance on handling allegations against
staff
Recent publicity has caused concern in the education
sector about “soft information” being passed to the ISA following
allegations of abuse against staff. Dai Durbridge considers
whether this issue will be addressed in the guidance for handling
such allegations.
Read the full
article...
Tier 4 management system: are partnership agreements
the answer?
The next stage of the government’s overhaul of
the way students from non-EEA/Switzerland gain entry into the UK
went live in October 2009. Helen Rideout looks at the
implications for schools and colleges and whether partnerships
could go some way to reducing the burden.
Read the full
article...
Carbon reduction commitment
The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is the UK’s first
mandatory carbon trading scheme. The aim of the CRC is to
reduce the level of emissions produced by larger low energy
organisations. Laura Hughes looks at how this will affect
schools and colleges.
Read the
full article...
Exempt charities: to regulate or not to
regulate
Vicki Hair looks at the position of ‘exempt’ charities pre and post
Charities Act 2006.
Read the full
article...
Recovery of school
fees
Nikki Prater looks at the implications of the
recent insolvency of The Fees Company Limited.
Read the full
article...
What is
coming up?