ENGAGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY PROVISION USING THE EHP GRANT
(please note the recent changes to the SELT admin fee)

This information is intended to provide guidance for both participants and third parties with respect to the drawing down of funds to pay for activities and programmes which are organised by providers other than the Home Provider. This includes Local Authority provision and coaching activities as well as appropriate National College programmes.

Approval:

• The first step in the process is for the participant to obtain prior approval from the Home Provider (in this case SELT) for the use of the EHP grant to cover the costs of activities organised by third parties.
• Approval cannot be given retrospectively.
• Approval will not unreasonably be withheld.
• Approval will focus on whether the activity meets the identified leadership learning needs of the participant Head/Acting Head.
• The funding cannot be applied to programmes/activities undertaken by anyone other than the Head/Acting Head themselves.
• Funding cannot be used to cover the costs of travel, supply cover (with the exception of designated small schools where there is an additional grant to cover supply) accommodation or materials.
• Funding cannot be applied to the obtaining of academic qualifications such as an MA or Ph D
• Participants should check that there are sufficient funds remaining in the grant to cover the costs to be applied.
• An administrative charge will be levied by SELT for Personal Coaching.

Timing of payment:

• Please note that payment cannot be applied in advance of an approved activity/programme.
• A certificate of attendance or signed register will be required as confirmation of attendance on the programme.
• Where the participant arranges prior payment by the school or Local Authority, the latter should invoice SELT after the event taking into account the administrative charge that will be levied (if this applies).
• Timing of payment should be clarified at the point of approval.

Invoicing procedure for Third Party Events including Personal Coaching

Invoicing/Administrative charges:

Rationale:

As the Home Provider SELT is responsible for working with the 67 Local Authorities in the South and others to support the identification of needs in Early Headship and ensuring that there is regional provision to meet those needs. We are specifically responsible for supporting individual needs assessment, providing an information and support help-line for new Heads and providing taster activities for the New Visions programme and coaching. We are responsible for the administration of the Learning gateway at the National College. This role attracts a “one-off” registration fee of £75 for each participant.
SELT is a “not for profit” charitable organisation and is unable to sustain out of its own funds the administration required to cover the costs in administrator time, banking charges and the payment of invoices for all third party provision, especially as this is likely to entail several transactions for each participant.

The National College courses:

In some cases participants may request the use of the EHP grant to cover National College programmes or events. This may be regarded as third party provision and is subject to the advice given in this information. In some cases, however, arrangements can be made by the National College to access the grant directly, hence reducing the administration process and cost. The National College is currently investigating a unified approach to administering the grant for all appropriate programmes or events. Please contact the appropriate administrator at the National College as well as ourselves.

Coaching arrangements:

It is likely that EHP participants will identify needs that are best met by individual coaching sessions/programmes with a coach or management consultant. SELT maintains a database of approved consultants/coaches and will help participants identify an appropriate source of expertise. As with other third party activity outlined above prior approval should be obtained before the engagement of a coach/management consultant. Provided below is an indicative scale of charges for coaching sessions, including the fee levied by SELT for administration.

Indicative coaching fees:

A coaching session is defined as a single session of between 2 and 3 hours.

A 10% SELT admin fee,up to a maximum of £50, is included in each coaching session/s SELT has to process.

Please note also that SELT is VAT exempt and cannot therefore reclaim VAT. Coaches or consultants should invoice SELT inclusive of VAT. Coaches should also note the financial advantage of invoicing for a series of sessions together.

Mentoring:

Use of the EHP grant is not approved for mentoring. Traditionally some LAs have applied the additional recommended grant from Governors of £500 to the process of mentoring. Participants should satisfy themselves as to whether a particular activity qualifies as mentoring or coaching. If in doubt please contact the SELT Centre.

Third Party Activity Form

Personal Coaching Form

CONTACT DETAILS FOR APPROVAL AND OTHER QUERIES

Carly Shannon

Email:  carly.shannon@selt.org.uk
Telephone:  01795 416812