Revised 01/02/10
December Update
Home Access programme
Briefing note for TESS and others working with Traveller families
The information contained in this briefing has been collated for NATT+ by Ken Marks as part of the ELAMP project. Every effort has been made to check accuracy but please note that you should check details which are important in your own working context. In addition please note that some details may still change in the run up to the programme launch. A final briefing note will be issued in January, 2010. Ken can be contacted via email
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Part 1: Rolling out the programme
Overview
The Home Access programme will gather momentum from January, 2010 with a launch at BETT 2010 and associated publicity. The programme is intended to encourage families to invest in the educational benefits of having a computer and internet access in the home. In addition families on a low income with at least one child at school (or in alternative provision) will be able to apply for a grant to purchase a Home Access package which includes a computer and internet access. 270,000 such grants will be available and the scheme is initially targeted at families with at least one child at school and in Year 3 through to Year 9.There is more about eligibility in Part 2 of these notes and this part of the scheme will have its own ‘Grant Administration Service’ which is currently being set up by Capita with close involvement from Becta. There will also be other packages available for eligible pupils with additional needs (again see Part 2).
The basic specifications of this package are described in Part 3 and there are currently six ‘provisionally approved suppliers’:
- Bli Education
- Centerprise
- Comet
- Misco
- Positive IT Solutions
- XMA
Other suppliers may be added to this list during December and details of retail outlets being used by these suppliers should prove to be well publicised from January.
- Note that approved suppliers can add extra features to the package, over and above the basic specifications, so it is important to advise families to shop around and look at the comparative offers.
- Note also that the package (Computer plus internet access, service and support) is a good way for any family to get started with a computer and the internet, and it will be offered for sale to everyone by the approved suppliers; with an additional charge for the ‘Assistive Technology’ software mentioned in the specifications (see Part 3).
Information for schools and LAs
Three Home Access conferences were held in the autumn and over 100 of the 152 English LAs were represented. Three LAs (Durham, Hull and Shropshire) have also opted to run ‘aggregation schemes’. This means that eligible parents can apply and choose to ask the LA to order the package on their behalf if they wish to. At this stage it would be well worth finding out how YOUR LA is supporting the scheme.
Initial information about the programme has also now gone out to all schools via the DCSF through its fortnightly email missive to head teachers, and further information is available to schools via the Home Access website
[Note that any academy, and any other state-maintained school not within Durham, Hull and Shropshire, can also register to set up an aggregation scheme. Registration/application packs to do this are available on request and the closing date for such applications is 28th February, 2010. Schools, other than academies, wishing to set up a scheme will need to affiliate to the e-Learning Foundation which will provide help and support. Further guidance about this will be given in the application pack. Schools can visit the Becta Home Access website to find out more about aggregation and to request an application pack.]
Part 2: Eligibility
Families with pupils in KS2 or KS3 will be able to apply provided they didn’t receive a computer from the ‘Computers for Pupils’ scheme or already via the Home Access programme. Eligibility is based on the national free schools meals criteria, and will normally be based on evidence of receipt of a relevant benefit1. [Low income families who have had use of a computer and internet access via E-LAMP can apply]
Pupils must be in state-maintained education (including academies) and the current eligibility list includes:
- Free school meals (FSM) [Children currently receiving FSM under the national rules. However children receiving FSM as parts of the pilots in Durham, Newham and Wolverhampton will not be eligible for a Home Access grant unless they also meet the national criteria for receiving FSM]
- Income Support
- Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance,
- Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and an income below the threshold (currently £16,040)
- Guaranteed Pension Credit
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act.
Note that Child Benefit evidence will also be required as part of the application process in order to confirm the identity of the child and family.
There will be a well-publicised helpline for all types of further information and advice. Applications will be paper-based. Once an application has been approved the family will receive a ‘payment card’ and pin number which they can use with any of the suppliers/retailers who are participating in the scheme. They will also receive a list of suppliers/retailers.
Children with additional needs
There will be a space on the application form where parents can ask for special hardware devices such as adapted mice, adapted keyboards and keyboard stickers if they feel that the additional devices are needed to address particular learning needs; this is known as Assistive Technology package 1. There will be a list of options on the form. If the family application is successful, they will receive such requested items directly from a separate supplier (Keyboard Tools Ltd).
If a family has children in Y3 to Y9 with other types of additional need then they can apply for Assistive Technology package 2 for each of those children. If they also have other children in Y3 to Y9 without additional needs they can apply separately on behalf of one of those children.
In applying for a child with such additional needs they will need to give supplementary information on the normal application form, and also provide related evidence of the needs (e.g. from the SENCO at school). Additional information may be requested at this stage. Their application will then be passed on to a separate agent who will make an assessment and liaise with the family about the necessary enhanced package. This second-stage process will start from April.
Part 3: The package
The package
There is a basic package with agreed specifications which approved suppliers have to meet, but suppliers can offer enhancements. Examples might include covering the cost of an additional year in terms of connectivity or an improved warranty.
In broad terms, families will be supplied with a computer (probably a laptop in the Traveller context) which has been pre-set for all user accounts in terms of e-safety controls and the firewall. [The required controls include content filtering and can subsequently be re-configured by the parent. Note that the filtering provided will not automatically block access to social networking sites, although the specifications require that parents will be able to block or permit access to specific URLs.] The basic package will have a three year anti-virus facility and a one year warranty (which may be extendable to three years for an additional payment), There is also a one year replacement agreement in the event of theft of equipment; but note that insurance against accidental damage is not a specification requirement.2
The basic specification also includes the costs of internet connectivity for 12 months.
Pre-loaded software and materials will include:
- Becta’s ‘Home Access How To Guide’ (with on-screen tutorials),
- The ‘Know IT All for Parents’ e-safety materials
- An office suite for word processing, working with spreadsheets, and making presentations
- ‘Assistive Technology’ software including a text to speech facility, a mind-mapping tool and a screen magnification facility.
Approved suppliers will also have to provide a clear back up service, with phone contact points and mechanisms for covering warranty obligations. They are also required to provide some form of introductory materials.
Part 4: Some issues of particular importance for Traveller families
(i) Waiting lists.
A pupil named on the application form for a grant needs to be registered with a school or recognised education provider. This is an integral part of the process so that checks can be made. If the pupil is on an LA waiting list it will be important to encourage the family to apply as soon as they have secured a school place.
(ii) Addresses
As some mobile families use a ‘safe address’ in some circumstances, it is important to note that the address given on the application form needs to match the address used for any benefit which is noted to confirm eligibility. In addition note that the address given on the application form will be the address used for delivery of the Home Access package (if required) and connectivity checks made by any approved supplier approached by the family (see below)
(iii) Connectivity for eligible families
Suppliers and their retail partners can only make preliminary checks on coverage at the home address (as given on the application form). If these checks are positive but there are problems with connectivity when the family first uses the equipment at home some suppliers may offer alternative wireless broadband options as part of their package, but they are not required to do so. The grant scheme also offers an important built in safeguard so that the family can return the whole package within 14 days if they find that the broadband service is not available at their home address, although if the family chose Comet as their supplier they may find that they have to pay a 10% handling charge. The grant recipient should be informed of this option by the provider. [Note that they must return the whole package including the computer. Their payment card will then be re-credited so that they can look for an alternative].
(iv) Connectivity and families purchasing their own packages.
Families who are not eligible for the scheme, and are making their own direct (money) purchase of a package should explore their options at the point of sale. This is important as they do NOT automatically have the right to return purchases within the 14 day period if there are found to be connectivity problems at home, although some suppliers may offer alternatives or even give this commitment.
Part 5: Potential TESS roles
Info and applications
- Getting information out to parents, especially those on a low income. This needs to include ‘additional needs’ information.
- Finding out if your LA is taking any special measures to publicise the scheme and encourage applications.
- Finding out if local schools with Traveller pupils (Y3 to Y9) are taking any similar supportive actions.
- Being aware of issues which may affect families: e.g. must be on a roll (not a waiting list), consistent address used during the application process, potential connectivity problems.
- Further familiarizing yourself with the scheme as it emerges. See, for example, www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess
- Helping with the application process
Ongoing support
- Finding out what support is available locally (LAs, schools, etc.) and encouraging families to make use of it
- Where necessary and possible supporting families in using the helpline facilities set up within the scheme (applications and grant administration plus suppliers if there are problems with equipment)
- Where practicable direct support to families….including help with any introductory and training materials and reinforcement of e-safety advice.
In terms of e-safety you could familiarize yourself with the ‘Know IT All for Parents’ e-safety video. It will be loaded on the computer which the families receive but you explore it yourself right now online at:
www.childnet.com/Kia/parents/CD/
Notes
- Looked After Children and their foster parents or carers will follow a separate process.
- Any theft will need to be reported to the Police and a crime number obtained.
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