Extended Services to Schools FAQs

Why Extended Services for Schools?

Softlines software is a development of the Playlines software that has been used in over half of all England’s Local Authorities to create business plans for Childcare projects as part of Sure Start and National Lottery programmes. To create software for use with Extended Services for Schools programmes was a logical step. It was also an opportunity to incorporate valuable feedback and users’ suggestions into the new version.

Who is the software aimed at?

Schools will use the business planning tools, i.e. the Development Planner and the Financial Planner, to plan new projects as part of their Extended Services for Schools programme. They are designed to be easy to use and to take users step-by-step through the process, with the aim of creating successful and sustainable projects.

Local Authorities can use the Business Plans that have been created by schools as part of a reviewing or monitoring system. If a Local Authority chooses to purchase a corporate licence, they can also benefit from their own custom help and guidance built into the software. The custom guidance can help to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

In addition, a corporate licence brings the added benefit of the Management and Monitoring System, which can keep track of all the projects that have used the business planning software.