Client Services Support for Schools

Client Services Secretaries and Bursars' Full Day Conference - 26 May 2010

S&B's Day 26 May 10

Many thanks to delegates and speakers who attended our full day conference for Secretaries and Bursars' on 26 May 2010. We had a great turnout and the event hosted 68 delegates from 60 MK Schools!

Inputs from speakers included advice and updates on Safeguarding in Schools (ISA Vetting & Barring/CRB/Single Central Records), Natwest Bank, Banner Business Services, an update on the DFE 'OPEN' eprocurement tool and a brief introduction to the Common Assessment Framework (CAF).

Finally a fun and lively session from Jo Eadie (Laughter Network) demonstrating the health benefits of laughter, which showed that laughter really is the best medicine!

Thank you to delegates and speakers for taking the time to attend. The feedback received via evaluation forms was very positive. We welcome any requests about any future topics of interest for next years events. If you have any suggestions about this please e-mail:ClientServicesSchools@milton-keynes.gov.uk


School Secretaries and Bursars achievements rewarded


Secretaries and bursars from 11 Milton Keynes Schools have been officially congratulated by the council's Children and Young People's Services for achieving the Certificate in School Business Management. Director of Children's Services Gail Tolley presented certificates to staff who received the award at a conference held at the Kents Hill Hilton last week by the Client Services Team who provide support to schools across the city.

Congratulations went to Ingrid Brocklesby from Cedars Combined School, Jill Eales from Russell Street School, Alison Hedges from New Chapter School, Julie Newton from White Spire School, Marie Goodyear from Oxley Park School, Lindsay Steadman from St Bernadette's School, Debbie Hawkins from Wavendon Gate School and Allison Barby from Penwith School.

Other school bursars who have achieved the certificate but were not at the event are: Gill Ashley from Emerson Valley School, Jacqueline McManus from The Hazeley School and Diane Taylor from MK Academy.

Jeannette Leadbetter, Client Services Team Manager said: “Secretaries and bursars play a vital role in the running of any school. We are delighted that so many are keen to develop their skills and we were thrilled to be able to celebrate their achievement as part of our conference.”

The Certificate of School Business Management provides school business managers with the expertise required to perform the role to the best of their ability, and ultimately improve school effectiveness and management. It is a world-leading programme, accredited by the Institute of Administrative Management.

Previous news.......

OPEN – the E-Marketplace for Schools – is coming to Milton Keynes !

The DCSF's Educational Procurement Centre (EPC) is working with the Client Services team on a national programme designed to free up administrative time.

By using OPEN you can access suppliers in one place and the system links with SIMS FMS, so your school retains financial control. It is also completely FREE.

In summary, these are the key features and benefits of OPEN:

Features

• Staff can create their own orders – saving the need for double entry
  
• Suppliers catalogues are up to date
  
• Access to more suppliers
  
• Ability to raise a request for a quote electronically

Benefits

• Fully auditable
  
• Time Saving – helps staff to be more efficient
  
• Save Money – by exploring other suppliers
  
• Links with SIMS FMS
  
• Quotes printable for approval

To view more information about OPEN, visit Dcsf OPEN

To register your interest in using OPEN complete this form OPEN Interest Form

A more in-depth presentation about OPEN will be hosted by EPC is Milton Keynes - see the below letter to all schools.

Letter to Headteachers about OPEN March 2010

For more information contact the Client Services Team.

The Client Services function has been established to work on behalf of schools on service provision matters. The 7 key responsibilities are:

• to establish and maintain strong links with school staff and governors to understand their service requirements and issues regarding service provision;
  
• to offer advice and guidance to schools on the purchasing of MKC, Mouchel and external providers' services;
  
• to act as the Client Officer, on behalf of schools,where this is desired by all schools or a group of schools and to liase closely with the Mouchel Contracts and Procurement team. (This does not take the place of the service provided by Mouchel Contracts and Procurement, but complements it);
  
• to provide the legally correct Terms and Conditions required by schools when entering into contracts;
  
• to inform schools about, and evaluate on their behalf, all Milton Keynes Council (MKC) services for schools, including those provided by organisations that MKC works in partnership with and external organisations;
  
• to act as an intermediary between a school and a service provider, where the school requires assistance in resolving issues (e.g. poor performance), which the provider has failed to resolve to a school's satisfaction;
  
• to ensure the LA has adequate separation between its role as service provider and its role in providing independent advice on service provision and quality.

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