The Local Authority Directory Steering Group – or as it’s more commonly known, “LADS” – meets once a month, and is comprised of senior managers within the Buckinghamshire Early Years Service.

The role of LADS is to decide on a provider’s suitability to continue to offer the Funded Entitlement following concerns that have been brought to the Early Years Service’s attention from either our staff, partner services, or the public. These will generally relate to the safety of children or compliance with Buckinghamshire Council's contractual terms and conditions for listing in the Funding Directory.

This may include, but not limited to:

• Latest Ofsted Inspection report
• Parental concern over the delivery of the Funded Entitlement eg: charges associated with Funded Entitlement hours that, for example, do not appear to be voluntary; conditions of access to the Funded Entitlement hours imposed by a provider, for example, the creating of an artificial break. 

Further information regarding the role of LADS and its decision-making processes can be found in Section 2.12: Buckinghamshire Council Requirements for Continued Listing on the Directory of Buckinghamshire Council’s Guidance on: Local Management of the Funded Entitlement for 9 months to 4 year olds.

Appeals process for providers following funding decisions made by LADS

Providers are notified of any Directory approval changes or Funding Entitlement changes by the Early Years Service following a referral to the Local Authority Directory Steering Group (LADS).

If providers wish to appeal the decision, they need to write to the Buckinghamshire Council Early Years Manager at earlyyears@buckinghamshire.gov.uk within 14 days of receiving the outcome letter, with supporting evidence of the appeal. Providers will be notified of the outcome within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal. If providers wish to dispute the outcome of the appeal process, they can refer to the Buckinghamshire Council Corporate Complaints Procedure.  

Further information regarding the appeals process can be found in Section 2.13: The Appeals and Complaints Process Following a Decision by LADSG, in Buckinghamshire Council’s Guidance on: Local Management of the Funded Entitlement for 9 months to 4-year-olds.