Devolved School Management Scheme provides Headteachers with allocation of resources for teaching staff, support staff, training, supplies and services, and travel. It enables Headteachers to make their own spending decisions in support of school plans.
DSM was introduced in 1993 to enhance and improve the management of resources at school level. The DSM guidance was reviewed nationally in 2006 and again in 2012, taking account of the changing economic and financial climate for both local authorities and the Scottish Government. In June 2017, the Scottish Government consulted on changes to DSM as part of the wider 'Fair Funding to Achieve Excellence and Equity in Education' consultation.
As part of this consultation, it was agreed to consult on changes to the scheme to support the empowerment of Headteachers and the closing of the attainment gap. This consultation work was concluded in 2019.
The updated 2019 DSM Guidelines, sought to build and improve on the DSM Guidelines of 2012. The new scheme will be used for budget and resource allocations to schools from April 2022.
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