Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
Caseworker support for RAAC-affected schools facing operational effectiveness issues
Conclusion
DfE told us that it assigned a caseworker to each school affected by RAAC. Schools can liaise with their caseworker about buildings, finances or educational matters.28 However, we challenged DfE with evidence that the system was not working perfectly. For example, it took some time for caseworkers to be given devolved authority to take spending decisions. And there were examples of schools having to engage in protracted discussions over who would pay for basic equipment such as temporary whiteboards.29 Lack of transparency about where RAAC exists and when it will be fixed
Government Response Summary
The government states it is already funding emergency RAAC works, approving revenue cost requests, providing dedicated caseworker support to schools for bespoke plans and funding access, and has committed to permanently removing RAAC through grants or rebuilding programmes.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 The department is funding emergency capital works needed to mitigate the presence of RAAC in schools and colleges in England. This could include installing structural strengthening or temporary buildings. All reasonable requests for additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall, are being approved. 3.3 Every school or college with confirmed RAAC has been assigned dedicated support from a team of caseworkers. They have worked with them to put in place a bespoke plan that supports face-to-face education for all pupils as soon as possible based on their circumstances and provide support to access funding. 3.4 The department is working closely with responsible bodies to process requests as quickly as possible and ensure processes are not burdensome, while providing proportionate levels of assurance. The department has kept its processes and guidance under review. The department can also arrange urgent payments where necessary, if for example, a responsible body has cash-flow challenges. 3.5 The government has committed to remove RAAC from the school and college estate for good. Schools and colleges have been offered capital grants to fund refurbishment work to permanently remove RAAC, or rebuilding projects where these are needed, including through the School Rebuilding Programme.