DFE Digital Programme: update for Daily Bulletin Wednesday 24th June
A total of 3745 devices- lap tops, chrome books and routers, have been requested from the DfE for Lancashire's digitally disadvantaged young people. This was the maximum number that the DFE had decided could be allocated to Lancashire. Children with a Social Worker: For children with a Social Worker who are of statutory school age and on a school roll in Lancashire we have been able to request delivery direct to their school. Many of these have already been delivered to schools and we anticipate the vast majority will have been delivered by the 24th June. Many thanks to all schools who have agreed to distribute these devices. Some devices for school age children have not been able to be delivered direct to school as not all Lancashire schools were listed on the DFE ordering site. These will be collected by Social Workers and delivered direct to homes. The DFE would not deliver devices for children with a Social Worker to any academies so these have been delivered to the LA and then being transported to schools. The devices for this cohort are owned by the LA and are initially on loan to the children. All parents and carers are being sent a letter to explain that they have been allocated a device though the DFE scheme, which device and information on delivery i.e. If they will need to collect from school or if it will be delivered to their home by LCC staff. The letter also contains information on the security system and software already inputted on lap tops and links to e-safety sites and free educational on line resources. Lancashire hope to be able to gift these to the children but are having to confirm this is allowed within the scheme – as it is not specifically referred to tin the guidance. If we are able to do this parents and carers will be sent an agreement to sign outlining their responsibilities.
Disadvantaged Year 10. Lap tops for disadvantaged Year 10 pupils (without a SW) have nearly all been delivered direct to schools. A small number have been delivered to Marsh Lane and these will be collected by schools. These devices belong to the school and schools may wish to provide information to the parent on acceptable use and e-safety in line with their school policy. Schools are able to gift these devices to the pupil if they choose to do so.
Routers: These had to be ordered separately for each school and are delivered separately. When devices are being delivered to schools, an email should be received from the DFE with information of the devices being allocated and that they have been despatched.