Dear all
For those of you who are interested in/concerned about this issue (the SLC
becoming the payment body for DSAs), as discussed on dis-forum last week, I
have some further information to impart. Following the reports I received
from people outlining their concerns I contacted officials at the DfES
summarising the issues.
As a result I have received further information from the DfES which allays
some, though not all, of the concerns raised. The gist of it was as
follows...
Following the change (ie SLC becoming the payment body for DSAs) the
responsibility for tracking and chasing payments will remain with LEA staff
and students will not have to contact the SLC direct.
The second point to make is that this modernisation change is just a small
part of a larger overhaul of the system. The changed role of the SLC would
be made alongside the introduction of a single IT system to be accessed by
all LEAs and the SLC. This would improve difficulties relating to
communication of information between the two. Processing speed will be also
improve.
Perhaps still an issue to keep an eye on as the new system comes in, but
some of the grounds for concern have been removed.
Best wishes
Caroline
Caroline Lewis
Policy Officer
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