NGA comments on the Education and Skills Funding Agency transition into the DfE
In light of the recent changes announced by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), the National Governance Association (NGA) wishes to express its support for the transition of ESFA’s functions into the Department for Education (DfE).
From 1 October 2024, the ESFA’s Schools Financial Support and Oversight (SFSO) teams will move to Regions Group, ahead of the new Regional Improvement Teams launch by January 2025. The processing and allocation of funding will continue as usual until the end of the financial year before transitioning into the DfE. Other core functions will be moved into the department in March 2025.
The ESFA has played an important role in delivering essential services, and we recognise the positive impact of their work. As this transition moves forward, we will maintain close communication with our members to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed. We are committed to working collaboratively with the DfE to ensure the effective continuation of services and to gather feedback from schools and trusts as they adjust to these changes.
Emma Balchin, NGA Chief Executive, said:"We understand that navigating between different bodies has sometimes led to confusion for many schools and trusts. We hopethis consolidation will simplify things by providing a single point of contact. The ESFA has done important work, and while we recognise the value they've brought, this transition marks a positive step forward for everyone involved."
As we move through this change, our priority remains supporting you, our members, and the wider governance community. We’ll continue to listen to your feedback and collaborate with the DfE to ensure everything runs smoothly. Ultimately, we’re here to make sure this process benefits you and makes your work a little easier."