This project page is to support the Connect Digitally programme on the take-up of Online School Applications and Online Free School Meal Applications in North West Local Authorities.
Regular updates, news items and case studies will be posted here.
Funded by the Connect Digitally Programme, these sessions are open and free of charge to all public sector authorities in the
OFSM: Why remove the need for paper proof of benefit at application and renewal?
- What are the benefits?
- August 26th (AM)
- Hosted by: Trafford MBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=531
OFSM: My Project,
- Where do I start, Who, Why and How
- September 23rd (AM)
- Hosted by: Trafford MBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=532
OFSM: Communications working with schools staff and headteachers
- How can I enlist the support of schools to promote OFSM?
- October 26th (AM)
- Hosted by: Trafford MBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=533
OFSM: Engaging other key stakeholders
- How can my local authority engage with other key stakeholders within the authority to maximise take-up of OFSM?
- November 23rd (AM)
- Hosted by: TBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=534
OFSM: One step further:
- How can I offer a citizen-facing online forms service?
- December 14th (AM)
- Hosted by: TBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=535
OSA: Communications - working with schools staff, headteachers and engaging with parents and carers.
- How can my local authority improve its engagement with parents/carers to maximise take-up of OSA?
- How can I enlist the support of schools to promote OSA?8th September 2010
- Hosted by: TBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=536
OSA: Engaging other key stakeholders
- How can my local authority engage with other key stakeholders within the authority to maximise take-up of OSA?
- 22nd September 2010
- Hosted by TBC
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=537
OSA: Business Process Change
- How can my local authority streamline existing business processes to improve take-up of OSA?
- October 19th (AM)
- Hosted by Paul Rankin –
- To book onto this session go to: http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=538
Connect Digitally is funded by the Department of Education (DoE), and is being led by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). HCC was successful in the delivery of the eAdmissions National Project and are using this experience to work with other LAs through the Connect Digitally Programme.
The Connect Digitally vision is that by 2011 all parents/carers in
To help LAs improve the OSA/OFSM service, the Connect Digitally team are undertaking discussions with a number of stakeholders including LA’s to outline best practice, overcome barriers, realise benefits.
Benefits of OSA/OFSM for local authorities
· Online admissions helps simplify the process
· Online forms ensure that parents/carers complete all the relevant fields
· Accuracy of data captured from parents/carers can be improved using data validation
· Less storage space is required to keep online applications
· Data input errors caused by transfer from paper applications to the allocation engine are eliminated
· Overall data entry costs are reduced
· Removal of paper proof of benefit at application
· The amount of paperwork created by repeat, revised or duplicate applications is reduced
· There are overall savings in ‘Cost to Serve’ for local authorities through online allocation and web based admissions booklets
