Education Noticeboard

Education Noticeboard - 12 May 2022

12 May 2022 Welcome to the Education Noticeboard. A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.

Included in this update

Included in this update:

Director Update

Dear Colleagues

Hope you are all having a good week. We had a little tease of summer for a few days and then the rain decided to remind us who is in charge!

Another jam-packed Education Noticeboard this week with a lot to share with you, including a few lovely news stories! Please remember to send through details and photographs of the exciting things you get up to in your setting. You can use the education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk email address.

There are also DfE updates and CPD opportunities as well as updates from SEND, the multi-cultural development team and plans for the upcoming Platinum Jubilee. There are a number of community events planned and schools have already started to get in the spirit of things, including Haughton School who have planted a commemorative tree.

We have shared a number of interesting resources for you this week, including mental health and social media, the upcoming Walk to School week and Foster Care fortnight. As always, please take time to have a look!

Wishing you all a great week and (hopefully) sunny weekend!

Simon

Simon Wellman
Director: Education & Skills

Safer, Stronger Communities set to launch

A project that provides specialist early intervention work in schools for some of the most vulnerable young people in the borough is set to launch as part of a Telford & Wrekin Council initiative.

The “Safer and Stronger Communities” project is set to deliver an educational programme over the next 12 months, aimed at supporting young people under 18 years old through preventative sessions so they can stay safe and make positive choices.

Young people will receive talks on a range of topics, including healthy relationships, and self-esteem. There will be similar sessions for parents and professionals to help them stay aware of how to help young people stay safe.

The “Safer and Stronger Communities” project is a joint initiative between the council and Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion where £2.5m (£2m from Telford and Wrekin Council and £500k from the Police and Crime Commissioner) is being invested in areas across the borough, to help reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance community safety.

The full story is available on the Telford & Wrekin Newsroom.

Old Park Primary visit Oakengates Gurdwara

Old Park pupils, from year 5, recently visited the Gurdwara in Oakengates. As part of the visit the pupils were shown how to cover their hair with a turban.

A Gurdwara is a Sikh temple, and you can find more about Telford Gurdwara, Oakengates, on their website.

Get Telford Walking 2022

There are lots of opportunities to get some fresh air, gentle exercise and good company in some of Telford's beautiful green spaces as part of this event!

From Monday 16 – Friday 20 May 2022 there’s at least one of the regular circular walks every day that you can join, to explore the Telford area, to suit all abilities, lasting from 30 to 90 minutes. For details of your local walk see Get Telford Walking 2022 - Healthy Telford

On Saturday 21 May 2022 there will be several short circular walks taking place at community centres across the borough.

On Sunday 22 May 2022 there will be exploring parts of the ‘Telford T50’ 50 mile trail on a walk that comes to an end in Telford Town Park.

For more information check out the Facebook page or email info@telfordt5050miletrail.org.uk.

National Children’s Day

National Children's Day UK (NCDUK) is all about the importance of a healthy childhood, and how we need to protect the rights and freedoms of children and young people. It's a day of celebration, but it's also a great opportunity for anyone involved with children to raise awareness about projects they are running or things they care about.

For NCDUK2022 we will be exploring how we need to create a kinder world, what makes people unkind and how everyone can choose to be kind.

More information, including 2022 ideas are available on the National Children’s Day website.

Guidance to help improve school attendance

This is an update from the Department for Education

Working together to improve school attendance has been published for schools, trusts, governing bodies and local authorities to help improve school attendance, from the beginning of the new school year, in September 2022. Subject to legislation, this guidance will then become statutory from September 2023. The new guidance covers:

the importance of working together to improve attendance
the expectations of schools, academy trusts, governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities
support for persistent and severely absent pupils
attendance legal intervention
recording in the attendance and admission registers.

To help agencies prepare and implement the changes, we have recorded a number of effective practice attendance webinars. We will be running further training events this term, focussing on different sections of the new guidance. For schools, trusts, and governing bodies, we are also running an overview training session on Thursday 19 May at 4pm – Training webinar 1: What the new guidance means for schools.Schools, local authorities and other partners should now begin to prepare to meet these new expectations from September 2022. The existing non-statutory guidance on school attendance will remain in place until the end of July 2022.

A similar series of training webinars will also run for local authorities. Information on how to sign up has been sent directly to local authority heads of service. The department’s attendance advisers will also continue to work with trusts and local authorities to support them to implement the new guidance.

Update on COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 and 12-15 year olds

This is an update from the Department for Education

The in-school COVID-19 vaccination programme ended on Friday 1 April 2022. 12 to 15 year olds are still able to access the vaccine outside of schools at a vaccination centre, pharmacy or walk-in centre.

Further information on this can be found in our new Education Hub blog post.

Healthy 5 to 11 year olds are also now being offered vaccinations outside of schools in vaccination centres, pharmacies, GPs and walk-in centres.

It remains important that those most at risk from COVID-19 are protected with vaccinations. For more information, we have updated our blog on vaccinations for clinically vulnerable children and young people.

For all 5 to 11 and 12 to 15 year old vaccinations, please signpost parents to where they can book COVID-19 vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy, or find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, to get vaccinated without needing an appointment. Parents should also have received a letter from the NHS with more information about how to get their child vaccinated.

Community events across Telford to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

A number of community groups have organised the events after receiving a grant from the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Fund, set up by Telford & Wrekin Council to bring together communities and ensure the Platinum Jubilee weekend 2 to 5 June 2022 is one to remember.

Among the groups awarded the grant are St Leonard’s Church, Malinslee, who will be hosting an afternoon tea and evening concert, Madeley Community Orchard who have organised a tree planting event and Longdon-upon-Tern Village Hall, who will have one of the Queen’s former private cars on display as part of their festivities.

Other highlights include a film festival at Wellington Orbit, a mini carnival at Dawley Baptist Church and a scarecrow festival and croquet competition around The Coke Hearth in Coalbrookdale.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Green Spaces, Natural and Historic Environment and Cultural Services, Cllr Carolyn Healy (Labour) said: “We’ve had a fantastic response from local groups and organisations and I’m delighted we have been able to support so many celebration events, which will bring together so many communities across the borough.

“Thanks to their involvement the Platinum Jubilee Weekend looks set to be a truly amazing four days as we mark and remember the seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign with an action packed programme of activity.”

Residents and visitors can keep up to date with events online. Telford & Wrekin Council will also be sharing tips on how to make your party as sustainable as possible.

Haughton School Jubilee tree

Children from the Haughton School have helped plant a special 'Royal Red' Acer tree - Red for Haughton and Royal for our Queen.

The tree has been planted to say thank you to our Queen for 70 years of hard work.

Afterwards the children waved their Union Jack flags and stood up straight as they listened to the National Anthem. Mrs McCormack was surprised that very few children knew the National Anthem and has set them the challenge of learning the first verse before their special Jubilee party for the Queen in May.

The tree is now standing proud at the back of the school and pupils are looking forward to watching it grow with its beautiful Haughton red leaves.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 17 2022 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This year the theme is ‘our bodies, our lives, our rights’. This is a theme that reminds us that many of the LGBTQ+ community live facing these issues every day.

More information is available on the May17.org website, including downloadable posters

Holiday vouchers for May and summer

The government have provided further funding via the Household Support Fund for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022.

Telford & Wrekin will be using part of this funding to provide further rounds of Holiday Food Vouchers to those in receipt of income-based Free School Meals, Service Pupil Premium and Early Years Pupil Premium for the following school holiday periods:

£15 per child for the May half-term – the aim is to issue these around Friday 20 May 2022.
£10 per week per child for the summer holiday (totalling £60 per child) – with the aim of issuing this further round on about Friday 15 July 2022.

Vouchers will be sent via email out to all applicable parents / carers that a current a current contact is held for.

The communication to parents will include contact details that can be used if they experience any problems with the voucher. In the unlikely event that a parent contacts the school with queries regarding vouchers they have not received, please direct them to winterfunding.grant@telford.gov.uk.

If the query relates to problems downloading or spending the voucher, please refer the parent to our voucher provider Select Essentials. They can be contacted on 0800 587 2294 or by completing a form online.

There are a small number of families that require assistance but not have an email address – these vouchers will again be distributed to schools. This will happen around Monday 23 May 2022 for the May half-term. Please forward these to the parents of the child each has been allocated to aid the tracking of who has received them in the event of queries.

The funding ends on 30 September 2022, so at this stage it is not known if vouchers will be provided for any future holidays.

Save the date – SENCo network meeting

The next SENCo Network Meeting will be on Thursday 26 May 2022 it will take place at the slightly earlier time of 3.30pm-5pm.

Please save the date in your diaries, invitations will be sent a week before the meeting. If you would like to update or add your contact details to the invitation list, please email SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk.

SEND review

The Department for Education has published accessible versions of the green paper, including:

a full British Sign Language version to support those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
an easy-read version to support those with learning disabilities
a guide to help children and young people with SEND or those in alternative provision to understand the green paper and respond to the consultation.

The department is committed to ensuring the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper and consultation process is fully accessible.

On the day of publication, a ‘request alternative formats service’ was made available, to provide everyone the opportunity to engage with the green paper and consultation, this includes provision of Braille, audio and other language translations. Apologies are made that a full range of accessible resources was not available from the first day of the consultation.

We are extending the consultation period by 3 weeks, to 22 July 2022, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part in the consultation.

All resources are available on the GOV.UK website.

Are you a carer living in Telford & Wrekin?

Are you an adult who is relied on by another adult for care or support - this could be a friend or family member?

The Celebrating Carers event is free and will:

Help you with the challenges you face.
Give you a chance to meet and share experiences with other carers.
Let you talk to various organisations who can help.

Anyone who considers themselves a Carer is welcome.

Visit the drop in on:
Tuesday 7 June 2022, 10.30am – 4pm.

Venue:
Telford & Wrekin CVS, Suite 12 & 15 Hazeldine House, Central Square, Telford, TF3 4JL

To find out more: 01952 240209

Or visit the Telford All Age Carers Centre Website.

Please feel free to download and share the flier.

Autism lead professional training

Gratitude is expressed to everyone who bought into the new drive for the Autism Education Trust training across Telford & Wrekin schools. There was a huge response and there is now an autism lead professional in almost 80% of schools across the borough.

The next step of the programme of professional development is to deliver training to classroom practitioners plus all additional staff. This will consist of two training inputs: The Good Autism Practice (GAP) is for classroom teachers and Making Sense of Autism (MSA) is for all additional school staff.

The Autism Standards document was distributed during the LGAP training last term, and is the document that will help you to evaluate your school. Many attendees completed an action plan at the training, and this should continue to support you in your role. The benefit of engaging in additional training will be to further equip your staff in understanding autism and how to not only adapt the curriculum, but to also adapt learning environments to further include young people and be able to understand the perspective and experiences of the young person. A positive outcome of this training will be an increase in attendance in schools as well as an increase in attainment levels, alongside improved experiences of positive mental health and wellbeing.

Jo Jenks (SENDCo, Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge CE Primary school) wrote: "In order to develop our knowledge and, more importantly, our understanding of Autism, we recently received the Good Autism Practice and Making Sense of Autism training for all the staff in school. This training has enabled us as a school to reflect upon our approaches and strategies when working with autistic children. It has given all staff the knowledge of the key areas of differences, and how these impact learning. Following the training, we have carefully considered our learning environments and have made simple adaptions so that all the children in our school experience a positive education that supports their wellbeing."

To access GAP and/or MSA training, please make direct contact with Michael Lane via email to michael.Lane@Telford.gov.uk. Either an EP or LSAT staff member will then be allocated to you.

The costs of the training packages are:

GAP £300
MSA £100

GAP is a 3 hour session which can be delivered in one whole or via twilight sessions.
MSA is 1 hour and can be delivered via twilight or otherwise depending upon your schedule.

The aim is to accept and commit to all the training by July 2022 so please take the time to assess your training needs before you make contact. If you have questions, please liaise with your link EP and/or your LSAT link. If you have not undergone the initial leadership training with AET and would like to receive the training, you can also make contact using the email address above.

Telford welcomes pupils from the Ukraine

The first Ukrainian families have begun to arrive and school applications are starting to be processed for pupils with the aim that education can begin for these children as soon as possible.

The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, Secretary of State for Education sent a letter to all schools last week outlining that schools should offer the same high-quality education to incoming Ukrainian pupils as they do their existing pupils, including delivering their usual curriculum. He outlines that:

pupils should be offered a broad and balanced curriculum, which promotes spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life
the Oak National Academy have rolled out an auto-translate function across all 10,000 of its online lessons, meaning that Ukrainian children can access education in their native language
schools are responsible for ensuring that all their pupils – including refugees and migrants who have a first language other than English – develop the English language skills they need in order to access the curriculum and achieve their potential
the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) has published the Ukrainian curriculum. Whilst schools might share these with families they should continue to prioritise delivering their usual curriculum. These resources could be used to complement pupils’ education, for example, for use at home or in supplementary schools, but should not be used to substitute for schools’ usual curriculum
where Ukrainian children and young people may be attending supplementary schools in the evenings or at weekends, schools may wish to signpost parents and carers to the guidance on keeping children safe in out-of-school settings
eligible pupils should have access to the Holiday Activities and Food programme which provides heathy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families during the summer holidays
schools lend the laptops and tablets that have been distributed as part of a £520 million government investment to support access to remote education and online social care during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to those Ukrainian pupils who need them.

The full letter from the Secretary of state can be found on the GOV.UK website.

The Individual and Annual Return Racist Incident Reporting and Recording System (IRIS) relaunch

The IRIS system has been upgraded and improved to include enhanced recording for all racist incidents, to ensure all information needed can be accurately recorded.

Reassuringly, any incident from 2003 to 2022 will be archived from 1 September 2022 but can be accessed in the event of any investigations/ claims. Schools will be able to continue to access the system in Telford & Wrekin for free.

Schools have a user login and password, which will be given to schools in September, to enable them to report any incidents when they occur. The enhanced recording has a new feature to allow the uploading of any evidence, taking into account cyber or social media based incidents. Victim & perpetration information can be more accurately recorded as IRIS now has capability for specific gender recording, extended ethnicity codes and postcode recording to ensure schools and the Local Authority have an accurate picture of school specific and local trends. These enhanced features are automatically included within the annual return.

This report enables schools and governors to analyse their data and therefore target support in the key identified areas. IRIS (individual racist incidents and annual return) information is held confidentially within the council and is used to inform council agencies to ensure that the appropriate support is put in place for schools to access.

Schools can request support from the Multicultural Development Team if they have specific concerns or questions relating to any incidents or IRIS. The free training is available to all school staff responsible for recording incidents on IRIS.

The session will be held on Wednesday 6 July 2022, 3.30pm – 5pm.

If you would like to attend or express an interest in the training, please contact the Multicultural Development Team.

Places for the training course can be booked online.

CPD courses for school staff, senior leaders and governors

CPD courses for school staff, senior leaders and governors to the end of the Summer Term 2022.

The CPD Booklet continues to be available on the Telford Education Services site.

Course bookings with a course code are made by sending a completed CPD booking form via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.

Other courses and briefings without a course code are usually booked by sending your email address name and school name to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk (unless stated otherwise).

Recently Qualified Teacher Development Programme (CPD 507)	Tuesday, May 17, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Teaching Children with SEND: Meeting the Needs. Session 5: Dyscalculia and Maths Difficulties – Identification and support (LSAT 508)	Tuesday, May 17, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Raising Awareness of Child Protection (SG 108)	Wednesday, May 18, 2022	9.30am to 11am
Effective Support and Supervision in the EYFS (EY 306)	Wednesday, May 18, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher (SG 107)	Thursday, May 19, 2022	9.15am to 3.15pm
Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) (BSAT 212)	Thursday, May 19, 2022	9am to 11.30am
Developing the Role of Teaching Assistants in Supporting SEND Part 2 (LSAT 507)	Thursday, May 19, 2022	1pm to 3.45pm
The Role of the Key Person in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EY 106)	Tuesday, May 24, 2022	1pm to 3.30pm
The Importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage in Schools (GO 603)	Wednesday, May 25, 2022	5.30pm to 7pm
Primary Science and Design & Technology Subject Leaders' Termly Update and Development Meeting (CPD 517)	Wednesday, May 25, 2022	2pm to 5pm
Verbal Intervention Training (BSAT 213)	Thursday, May 26, 2022	9am to 11.30am
Verbal Intervention Training (BSAT 214)	Thursday, May 26, 2022	3pm to 5.30pm
SENCO Network Meeting - Briefing (Cross Phase)	Thursday, May 26, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Cover Supervisors - preparing for the role (PSS 010)	Thursday, June 02, 2022	3.30pm to 5pm
Assessment - termly update (morning) (CPD 502)	Tuesday, June 07, 2022	9.15am to 10.45am
Assessment - termly update (twilight) (CPD 503)	Tuesday, June 07, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Youth Mental Health First Aid - Part 1 (PSS 001)	Tuesday, June 07, 2022	9.15am to 4pm
ECT Induction Tutor and Mentor – Termly Update (CPD 516)	Wednesday, June 08, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
EYFS: Areas of Learning and Development Session 6: Knowledge & Understanding of the World (EY 308)	Wednesday, June 08, 2022	1pm to 2.30pm
EYFS: Areas of Learning and Development Session 6: Knowledge & Understanding of the World (EY 309)	Wednesday, June 08, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Governors’ Responsibilities for SEND (LSAT 212)	Wednesday, June 08, 2022	5pm to 7pm
Talk Boost - KS2 (LSAT 511)	Wednesday, June 08, 2022	All day – times TBN
Meeting the OFSTED requirements and developing reading strategies for EAL learners at KS2 (CPD 714)	Wednesday, June 08, 2022	3.45pm to 6pm
Absence Management of Employees	Thursday, June 09, 2022	3pm to 5.30pm
The Role of the Early Years Practitioner in Supporting and Enhancing Play (EY 008)	Thursday, June 09, 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Supporting Behaviour and Learning - Children with ADHD/ODD & CD (new course – please see separate article)	Monday, June 13, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Primary ICT Coordinators' Update (CPD 512)	Tuesday, June 14, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Meeting the EYFS profile requirements for EAL learners in EYFS (CPD 715)	Tuesday, June 14, 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Awareness Raising of Emotion Coaching – level 1 (PSS 0041)	Tuesday, June 14, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Governors' Responsibilities for Exclusions (SG 104)	Wednesday, June 15, 2022	5pm to 7pm
Meeting the OFSTED requirements for British Values and Cultural Diversity in the primary school (CPD 718)	Wednesday, June 15, 2022	1pm to 4pm
Developing a Communication Friendly Environment in the EYFS (EY 307)	Wednesday, June 15, 2022	9.15am to 12noon
Safer Recruitment Administration	Thursday, June 16, 2022	3pm to 5.30pm
Raising Awareness of Child Protection (SG 108)	Thursday, June 16, 2022	9.30am to 11am
EAL Network Meeting (CPD 526)	Thursday, June 16, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Understanding Nurture (PSS 101)	Thursday, June 16, 2022	9.15am to 12noon
Verbal Intervention Training (BSAT 213)	Thursday, June 16, 2022	9am to 11.30am
Verbal Intervention Training (BSAT 214)	Thursday, June 16, 2022	3pm to 5.30pm
SEND: Building capacity in your school (LSAT 403)	Tuesday, June 21, 2022	9.15am to 3pm
Induction Training for New Governors (GO 502)	Wednesday, June 22, 2022	9.30am to 3.30pm
Early Years Coordinators – Termly Update (EY 007)	Wednesday, June 22, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Talk Boost - KS1 (repeat)	Thursday, June 23, 2022	9am to 4pm
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 1 (BSAT 201)	Thursday, June 23, 2022	8.30am to 4pm
Bright Ideas and Inspiration - for your breakfast, holiday and out of school provision (EY 303)	Thursday, June 23, 2022	9.15am to 12noon
Early Career Teacher Network (CPD 720)	Tuesday, June 28, 2022	4pm to 5pm
EYFS: Areas of Learning and Development Session 7: Expressive Arts and Design (EY 308)	Tuesday, June 28, 2022	1pm to 2.30pm
EYFS: Areas of Learning and Development Session 7: Expressive Arts and Design (EY 309)	Tuesday, June 28, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads' and Safeguarding Governors' Termly Update (SG 106)	Wednesday, June 29, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Meeting the OFSTED requirements for Equalities and Diversity in the Secondary School (CPD 719)	Wednesday, June 29, 2022	1pm to 4pm
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training	Thursday, June 30, 2022	9am to 4.30pm
Raising Awareness of Prevent (SG 101)	Thursday, June 30, 2022	1pm to 2.30pm
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 2 (BSAT 201)	Thursday, June 30, 2022	8.30am to 12.30pm
Forest School and Outdoor Learning for Practitioners Working within EYFS (EY 201)	Thursday, June 30, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Effective Circle Times in the EYFS (EY 302)	Monday, July 04, 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Solution Focussed Therapy (PSS 102)	Tuesday, July 05, 2022	9.15am to 12noon
Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher (SG 107)	Wednesday, July 06, 2022	9.15am to 3.15pm
Recently Qualified Teacher Development Programme (CPD 507)	Wednesday, July 06, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
School Duties under the Equality Act 2010 – and how to write an effective Accessibility Plan (LSAT 304)	Wednesday, July 06, 2022	9.15am to 12noon
Teaching Children with SEND: Meeting the Needs. Session 6: Literacy Difficulties (LSAT 508)	Thursday, July 07, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
ELSA Conference (EPS 106)	Thursday, July 07, 2022	9am to 3pm
Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) BSAT 212	Thursday, July 07, 2022	9am to 11.30am
Virtual School Conference for Designated Teachers and Nominated Governors for Children in Care (CPD 620) (see separate article)	Friday, July 08, 2022	9am to 3.30pm
Supporting Behaviour and Learning - Children with ADHD/ODD & CD (new course –see separate article)	Monday, July 11, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
ECT Induction Tutor - initial training (CPD 520)	Wednesday, July 13, 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 1 (SG 102)	Wednesday, July 13, 2022	9.15am to 4pm
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 2 (SG 102)	Thursday, July 14, 2022	9.15am to 4pm
Verbal Intervention Training (BSAT 213)	Thursday, July 14, 2022	9am to 11.30am
Verbal Intervention Training (BSAT 214)	Thursday, July 14, 2022	3pm to 5.30pm

Virtual school conference

The Telford & Wrekin Virtual School is running its 3rd Annual Conference, taking place on Friday 8 July 2022 from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

This year’s theme is “Belonging, Identity, Adversity & Me” and is in support of all young people with a Social Worker and Previously Looked After Children

This conference is designed for Designated Teachers, Designated Safeguarding Leads and Nominated Governors for Children in Care.

The conference will provide delegates with an opportunity to develop links with the Virtual School, Health and Social Care colleagues and with other Designated Teachers, Designated Safeguarding Leads and Nominated Governors, as we work together to increase the progress Telford & Wrekin children that are in care make in school and beyond. Even if you currently have no children in care at your school, it is important that you remain up to date with processes and expectations, should a child join you.

In addition, Ofsted is looking quite closely at the relationship schools have with the Virtual School, and information gained at network meetings has proven very useful to many schools during inspection. Educational outcomes for children in care and children in need are a key priority for Ofsted in the West Midlands Region and inspectors have told us that they will be looking closely at how a school prioritises work with children in care when making inspection judgements.

Keynote speakers:

Dr Dawn Bradley – currently an advisory Educational Psychologist for the ARC (Attachment Research Community), and introduced the nationally accredited Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) training programme in 2018. She is a member of the national ELSA steering committee, a quality assured ELSA trainer and supervisor, practitioner trainer Emotion Coach (UK) and practices as a psychotherapist in EMDR Trauma Therapy.

Tim Hill HMI, Ofsted, West Midlands Region – Tim Hill is an experienced inspector of primary, secondary and special schools, and pupil referral units. Tim also inspects local authority children’s services. He has extensive senior leadership experience as a head teacher and local authority adviser. His areas of expertise include literacy, science, behaviour management, safeguarding, and leadership and management.

Steven Russell – Steven is the founder of Elements SEMH Support. As a child, he lived with 9 foster families, was placed into two children’s homes and attended 5 schools. With this in mind, he decided to turn his “Pain to Purpose” by creating Elements. As a child, growing up in the care system, Steven has become an effective communicator with children living in care. Combining the elements of his professional and personal experiences to create “Elements SEMH Support”. Steven has been able to inspire hundreds of children to become more optimistic about their lives, despite their adverse experiences.

Workshop Choices:

All delegates have the opportunity to attend two workshop sessions. Please clearly indicate your 1st, 2nd and ‘reserve’ choice on the booking form.

Workshop A: ‘The Teenage Brain (The Solihull Approach)’ – Natalie Woodhouse, Fostering Team.

Synopsis: This workshop has a particular focus on adolescents and explores a variety of evidence based practice.
This theory was developed in 1996 by professionals including Psychologists, Psychotherapist and CAMHS. It is evidence based and provides professionals with a framework to think about children’s behaviours, this in turn develops an effective consistent approach. It aims to increase emotional health and wellbeing. The aim of this workshop is to:
- Explore brain development and the changes that happen in adolescence.
- Explore why teenagers take risks.
- Explore why teenagers sleep patterns change.
- Understand changes in behavior and why teenagers may find it difficult to understand others emotions.

Workshop B: ‘Edge of Care and Fostering’ – Jacqui Davis and Dan Chell – Social Care.

Synopsis: The workshop will enable participants to understand the impact of going into care verses children to be enabled to stay at home if it is safe to do. The session will also explore Telford & Wrekin invest to save initiative designed to use public money in new innovative ways to break cycles of behaviour and encourage families to successfully promote the welfare of their children.

Workshop C: Gangs and Exploitation – Vicki Ridgwell, Police.

Synopsis: This workshop explores the local and national landscape of exploitation and gang criminality. Participants will explore the various types of exploitation, grooming and how to identify the risk factors for young people in our care and vulnerable children.

Workshop D: ‘BeeU, the Toxic Trio and Early Clinical Experiences’ – Anna Frater, CAMHS.

Synopsis: This workshop explores the role of the Toxic Trio and Early Clinical Experiences for children in care, and the role and work of BeeU in offering support.

Workshop E: ‘Care Leavers’ Covenant and Lived Experience’ – Natalie Latham.

Synopsis: This workshop explores life as a Care Leaver and working with those who are approaching leaving care, and the challenges it brings. It explores opportunities and entitlements for those who are leaving care, including lived experience.

Workshop F: ‘Supporting Nominated Governors in interpreting data and key questions’ – Lou Aubrey, Virtual School Team.

Synopsis: This workshop explores the role of the Nominated Governor for Children in Care and how you can be a high quality ‘critical friend’ – offering both challenge and support to the Designated Teacher and School through interpreting key data and skillful questioning.

Workshop G: ‘Belonging, Inclusion and Identity’ – John Newton, Virtual School Team.

Synopsis: This workshop focuses on the importance of belonging and personal identity amongst care experienced young people and seeks to highlight strategies and systems for promoting personal reflection and self-expression within a young person’s educational journey. The workshop also seeks to explore the impact of becoming a ‘child in care’ on the development of identity and interpersonal relationships.

Delegate fees

£120 for one delegate.
£180 for two delegates.
£60 for each additional delegate, up to a total of 4 delegates per school.

To book

Please send a completed booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.

If you have any queries about the event please contact virtualschool@telford.gov.uk.

Supporting Behaviour and Learning - Children with ADHD / Oppositional Defiance Disorder and Conduct Disorder

PSS 104: Supporting Behaviour and Learning - Children with ADHD / Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) & Conduct Disorder (CD) is a new twilight online CPD course.

The course is aimed at those staff members in schools, both primary and secondary, who work directly with children and young people – including teachers, learning mentors, teaching assistants, school support staff and other childcare professionals.

The aim is to raise awareness and understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) as well as, most importantly, helping staff to support children to improve their outcomes – with a focus on supporting behaviour and learning.

Delegates will understand the challenges facing neuro-diverse children and the strategies they can use to avoid isolation and exclusion.

Course dates and times:

Monday 13 June 2022 from 4pm to 5.30pm,
repeated
Monday 11 July 2022 from 4pm to 5.30pm.

Delegate fees

£85 for one delegate.
£76.50pp for two delegates from the same school on the same date.

Whole school cost: As these courses are taking place on a Monday evening, when many schools hold staff meetings, we can offer access to this online course at a whole school price of £250 per school. (Please note: for ‘whole school’ bookings please select one date).

To book please send a completed CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk – if your request is for ‘whole school’ access, please simply state this on your form, rather than listing all the staff at this stage, and we will get back to you to confirm the details.

Mentoring education professionals

Mentoring Education Professionals is an introductory session, which will reflect on the roles of mentor and mentee and on informal and formal mentoring relationships.

You might already be a mentor and/or have been mentored in your professional lives. Such experiences are always going to give you useful insights but you shouldn’t feel that you have to have formal mentoring/mentee experience in order to attend this session.

The session will draw on some small text extracts based on research and thinking in the field of mentoring and coaching. These extracts will be used in order to compare and reflect on a number of possible approaches. A quotation, a model, a theoretical concept – these are the things that will be explored together in the session activity,

The session will take place on Tuesday 17 May 2022, 5.30-7.30pm.

Places are free but need to be pre-booked. To register, please ring 01952 277777 or send an email to enquiries@uctelford.co.uk.

Alternatively, bookings can be made via Eventbrite.

What is English to me?

What is English to me?

This taster session is designed for teachers of English. Participants will start to explore language and literary autobiographies – the social, cultural, historical context, influences and perceived attitudes. There will be reflections to theorised literature and key linguistic concepts.

The session will be delivered by Pete Bennett, Senior Lecturer in Post Compulsory Education at the University of Wolverhampton, and will take place on Thursday 16 June 2022, 6-8pm.

Places are free but need to be pre-booked. To register, please ring 01952 277777 or send an email to enquiries@uctelford.co.uk.

Youth work course

The Community Team will be delivering an Introduction to Youth Work course that is free to volunteers leading and supporting youth work activities in Telford & Wrekin. It’s a great opportunity to develop skills in youth work and share experiences and ideas with others in a similar role.

It starts on Tuesday 7 June 2022 and will run every Tuesday between 5.30 and 7.30pm for six weeks at The Park Lane Centre.

The course will cover topics such as:

skills, knowledge and qualities needed for youth work e.g. communication, setting boundaries etc.
key issues facing the development of young people
safeguarding
planning sessions
resources and signposting.

For more information or to book a place contact cpt@telford.gov.uk

Exclusion Reduction Hotline

The pre-exclusion hotline is working well. It has been used by schools that are considering an exclusion.

A member of the BSAT team has been able to offer immediate intervention by discussing the exclusion in more detail, and offering a preventative solution. This support is available for both the individual child and their school.

One example of this was a school who telephoned the pre-exclusion hotline requesting support.

Contact was requested because a child had got into trouble swearing and telling staff that they were going to kill them. The issue was that this individual had previously been on a fixed term exclusion. The school had noticed that the child had complex needs and had previously utilised alternative provision.

The school felt that the information provided to them by a colleague did not evidence the complex needs and support that was previously provided to the child. As Local Authority (LA) officers, the Behaviour Support Development and Advisory Team (BSATs) were able to check the protocol system to see the extensive support that had previously been provided to the child and they were able to discuss this in more detail with the school.

A visit was planned which allowed the BSAT team to support the child and discuss the reasons for their behaviour using a restorative approach. An offer of a restorative justice session with the child and the teacher involved enabled the exclusion to be prevented. Following this, the school purchased further support sessions from BSAT.

In this instance, the ongoing support has allowed the BSAT team to check in weekly with the child, who has remained in the school and is now doing well. This demonstrates that with the right support at the right time can prevent exclusions.

The Pre-exclusion Hotline number is 07816 372459

Social media and mental health

National Online Safety have pulled together a collection of relevant resources for trusted adults to help children learn to enjoy social media and the rest of the digital world without their mental health suffering.

They also offer several mental health training courses for school staff, designed and delivered by sector experts. In addition, of course, there are many excellent organisations who can offer support in maintaining good mental health in children and young people. These include YoungMinds, Place2Be (the organisers of Children’s Mental Health Week), Kooth, the NHS and Action for Children.

Walk to school week

Living Streets five-day walking challenge is an annual celebration of the walk to school and the perfect activity to celebrate National Walking Month this May.

The fun and engaging week-long activity for primary schools has been built to make pupils experience first-hand the importance of walking to school. Through this challenge, children will be well on their way to reaching their recommended 60 minutes minimum of physical activity per day before even reaching the school gates!

Last year, a record number of over 350,000 pupils across the UK took part! Join this growing movement of children walking to school and help us make 2022 our biggest year yet!

This year’s theme of PowerUp, will engage pupils through video game-inspired design, encouraging them to travel sustainably to school every day of the week. Each day will see a level unlocked and a new mission to complete, through which pupils will discover the incredible benefits of walking for individuals, communities and the planet.

To find out more, visit the Living Streets website.

Foster care fortnight

Foster Care Fortnight™ is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. Established in 1997, the campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. It also supports fostering services to highlight the need for more foster carers. Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Running from Monday 9 May until Sunday 22 May 2022, our theme this year is ‘fostering communities’ and we will use the campaign to shine a light on the many ways people across the fostering community support each other.

Throughout the fortnight, The Fostering Network will be running events, sharing content on our social media channels and making as much noise as possible about the transformative power of foster care, and we want you to get involved too.

Whether you’re a foster carer, a social worker, young person or supporter of foster care you are part of a community making a real difference to the lives of young people, and we want to celebrate the impact you all have.

How to get involved

1. Join the conversation

Use #FCF22 and #FosteringCommunities on social media to join in with the campaign, sharing your stories and experiences of how the fostering community has supported you, or what fostering means to you and your community. Resources are available here to help you get the word out.

2. Fundraise and donate

The Fostering Network works hard to influence change, promote fostering and provide support, and every donation we receive helps us to continue this work. Join in with Foster Walk, or make a donation to support our work.

3. Join an event

The Fostering Network is hosting a number of events for our members throughout the fortnight, which you can find out about and register for via our website – we hope to see as many of you as possible!

If you have any queries about Foster Care Fortnight please contact FosterCare.Fortnight@fostering.net

Children’s publishing current awareness

An information update, provided by Shropshire Library Service is available to download.

This entry was posted by Claire on Wednesday, 11 May 2022.

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Every week during term time we publish a new update for the education community. It includes essential briefings and specialist information about education.

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