AP & SEND Briefing 16th October 2024
Welcome to our mid-week round-up of Alternative Provision and SEND news across the South West and beyond.
Below you'll find summaries and links of what's been in the news recently, the latest thinking and some of the great training links we think you'll find useful. Grab a coffee and take 10 minutes to get updated and through the midweek hump.
Children facing a 'lifetime cost' of council funding crisis
Dame Rachel de Souza calls for 'children must not pay the price for balancing budgets' after BBC analysis shows councils making over £3bn in savings this financial year but still facing a £5.7bn funding shortfall by 26-27. Research revealed cuts in social work, safeguarding, disability transport, playground maintenance and legal advocacy, as well as the cuts to education we are all experiencing.
Read more here.
Call for evidence: Who Is Losing Learning?
Following from last month's release of the Who Is Losing Learning Report, a new Who Is Losing Learning Solutions Council will set out how the education sector should rise to the challenge. The latest Call for Evidence asks young people, teachers, schools and those working to improve educational outcomes of the most under-resourced children to get involved. You can contribute using this form.
A Timely Reminder for Teachers
We're all well-embedded into the new academic year with seven weeks already passed and summer holidays a long distant memory. Taking time for ourselves is vital - we all know the oxygen mask analogy. Teacher Wellbeing has been nosediving over the past seven years, as shown by the Teacher Wellbeing Index. So here's your Autumn Term reminder to get ready to down tools. If you don't already have plans to take some time out and recharge, make sure you plan at least one way to unwind over the upcoming half term break.
PARTNERING WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
Next Steps is a value led organisation.
When we explored our values over two years ago, we also made a commitment to live and grow by them too. Our value, "Together we raise the bar - higher'" identifies the emphasis that we put on teamwork (students, professionals, families, everyone included). We're keen members of fantastic community forums such as the Northern Devon PINN Forum where we recently met with other services catering for teen and adult autistic service users. Through PINN we've developed great working relationships with Devon Library Service Community Outreach, a local ADHD coach and Devon's Migration and Resettlement Team amongst others. Signposting families to the right services is an important part of our work with students so it's great to make these connections.
FIND OUT SOME MORE...
1. Take a look at our website’s about us page where you can learn more about how we can work together with you and your community.
2. Find and follow us on LinkedIn
3. Book a meeting with us
Until next time, take care,
Sarah
Director, Next Steps Education
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