Newsletters
Our Regional Improvement Plan can be found here
If you would like to apply to be a SESLIP consultant you will need to register with Kent Business Portal and once you are registered, log in and navigate to “Response Manager” and the link to View Invites and Responses. The relevant Access Code is KT59CT449W which will take you to DPS – SC240046 – SESLIP – New Suppliers. Please follow the on screen instructions
Updates
EPI: Educational psychologists in England
On 16 April EPI published Educational psychologists in England
Headlines
It provides the first comprehensive national assessment of the EP workforce since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Drawing on eight years of administrative data and case studies from six local authorities, it reveals a stark disparity in provision:
- in some areas there is one EP for every 480 pupils;
- in those with the lowest levels of provision, there is just one for every 9,400.
Without urgent action, the sector faces a cycle of attrition, rising costs, and an inability to deliver on the government’s ambition to include more children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools.
Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: interim report
On 31 March DHSC published Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: interim report
Headlines
Although an all ages report there is a particular focus on young people due to evidence that psychological distress has been rising over time and is not simply a post-pandemic phenomenon.
The findings also highlight a more complex picture for autism and ADHD: population-level prevalence appears relatively stable, while diagnoses, referrals and self-identification have increased significantly
NAO: Responding to changing demand for school places
On 22 April NAO published Responding to changing demand for school places
Headlines
Demand for primary school places fell by 3% between 2018/19 and 2024/25, with DfE projecting a further 7% fall from 2025 to 2030. The proportion of unfilled primary school places increased, from 10% in 2018/19 to 14% in 2024/25.
DfE’s approach, support and funding for school places has focused on schools having enough spaces, in line with local authorities’ statutory duty.
However, it has not taken timely action to set out how it will support the sector to respond to falling pupil numbers.
As part of its recent estates strategy, DfE has begun to respond, focusing on setting out how unneeded space could best be used. .
Foundations Practice Guide: Parenting through adversity (11-18 year-olds)
On 24 April Foundations re-published its practice guide: Parenting through adversity – parents of children and young people 11-18.
Headlines
This Practice Guide focuses on parenting support for families experiencing adversities who have at least one child or young person aged 11 to 18 years old.
This Guide relates to all outcomes of the Children’s Social Care National Framework. The enablers of the National Framework (leadership, workforce, multi-agency working) have a role in supporting the delivery of this Guide’s key principles and recommendations.
This summary online version complements a full version of the Practice Guide.
This Guide should be considered alongside the Parenting through Adversity (0-10) Practice Guide.
Reminders From Previous Weeks
The DCS Leadership Programme
The DCS Leadership Programme is looking for inspiring new leaders that children can depend upon.
A strong moral purpose and passion to champion children and young people and their outcomes
At least 3 years effective senior strategic leadership and management experience in local government children’s services or related fields and sectors, though perhaps you feel you still want to consolidate your knowledge across the different component areas or be more confident in applying leadership skills to a more diverse range of services.
Webinars
If you are interested in applying for our DCS Leadership Programme and would like to know more information about what’s involved and how to apply, we will be holding online webinars in 2026:
- Webinar 1 – [already held]
- Webinar 2 – [already held]
- Webinar 3 – Monday 27th April @ 5pm
If you are not already involved in this work and would like to know more, please contact us at DCSleadership@thestaffcollege.uk
NSPCC: Race, ethnicity and culture: learning from case reviews
On 1 April NSPCC published Race, ethnicity and culture: learning from case reviews – Summary of learning for improved practice around race, ethnicity and culture
Headlines
Learning from the reviews outlines how professionals should:
- be aware of how racial and unconscious bias can affect their practice
- seek out the voices of children from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds
- understand the cultural and societal barriers that can prevent children and families from accessing services.
Education statistics for CiN and CLA: Year to March 2025
On 2 April DfE published Outcomes for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities in England
Headlines
Pupils in the key social care groups have
- lower attainment, on average, than the overall pupil population across all measures;
- higher rates of persistent absence than the overall pupil population; and
- increased suspensions and permanent exclusions
Consultation on Adoption support now open. CLOSES 5 May 11.59pm
On 10 February DfE opened a consultation on Adoption support that works for all – Reimagining adoption and kinship support: making it fit for the future
Headlines
The DfE is seeking views that relate to reforming the system of adoption support, including the operation of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.
Responses are being collected here
Responses from children and young people are being collected here
Consultation on SEND reform now open. CLOSES 18 May 11.59pm
On 23 February DfE opened a consultation on SEND reform: putting children and young people first
SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First (pdf, 132 pages)
Headlines
This consultation supports the governments white paper Every child achieving and thriving which outlines the reforms to the schools and SEND system in England.
Responses are bring collected here
- SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (CYP version)220.4 KB (PDF document)
- SEND Reform: putting children and young people first (Easy Read)5.1 MB (PDF document)
SESLIP Targeted Support
The SESLIP Targeted Support scheme is now open to enquiries from children’s services authorities in the south east.
This project is funded by the DfE’s RIIA grant and is open to both CSC and SEND.
Details
The prospectus introduces our dedicated Targeted Support Core Team, which includes experienced, ex-local authority leaders, who have worked at director, assistant director and principal programme manager levels,
The core team’s practice is enhanced by collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from across the full range of children’s services.
A bespoke package will be agreed at scoping stage.
For more information, or to become involved as a subject matter expert, contact Claire@clairewoodcockconsulting.com
Regional Improvement Plan 2025-26
On 18 July 2025 SESLIP published our regional improvement plan for 2025-26
Headlines
The new regional improvement plan has 47 projects and a budget of just under £2m.
The plan incorporates our delivery plan for DfE’s RIIA grant of £1.6m to SESLIP for the current year
Tools & Templates
We have produced a Regional Improvement Plan (July 2025)
On 24 April Foundations re-published its practice guide: Parenting through adversity – parents of children and young people 11-18.
On 22 April NAO published Responding to changing demand for school places
On 16 April EPI published Educational psychologists in England
On 2 April DfE published Outcomes for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities in England
On 1 April NSPCC published Race, ethnicity and culture: learning from case reviews – Summary of learning for improved practice around race, ethnicity and culture
On 31 March DHSC published Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: interim report
On 31 March What Works in SEND published a library of Change Programme Insights and Resources
On 26 March DfE published The Families First Partnership (FFP) Programme Guide for 2026-2027
On 26 March DfE published Guidance for LAs and others setting up a Regional Care Cooperative
On 25 March DfE published an advertisement for Panel Member, Expert Panel for National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages
On 23 March Foundations (What Works Centre for Children and Families) published Family Group Conferences: Service Design and Family Experience (pdf, 123 pages)
On 18 March DfE published Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
On 4 February DfE opened a consultation on Foster care reform: proposed changes to assessment and handling of allegations of abuse
On 21 January the Ofsted, CQC, HMIFRS and HMIProbation published a review of recent JTAI reports on children who are victims of domestic abuse
On 16 January the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons published its report Financial sustainability of children’s homes
On January 15 DfE published data reported by local authorities on children of compulsory school age in elective home education (EHE) in England.
On 13 January Foundations (What Works Centre for Children and Families) published Parenting through adversity: parents of children and young people aged 11-18
On 11 January the Children’s Commissioner published Children living in illegal children’s home
On 31 December Coram published From Surviving to Thriving key findings and recommendations from Coram Voice’s Bright Spots programme
On 26 November DfE published annual statistics for Fostering 2024-2025
On 26 November DfE published annual statistics for Children looked after in England including adoptions 2024-2025
On 24 November NSPCC published Tipping point: tackling the challenges in safeguarding children educated at home
On 24 November AEPA published Belonging and Excellence: The importance of local education partnerships.
On 20 November, Home+Future, the South East RCC, published the region’s Sufficiency Statement 2026: Building positive futures
On 10 November, the National Centre for Family Hubs published a case study from the Isle of Wight