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
Red flags we don’t see: Missed signs and missed support in teenage relationships
On 27 September The Children’s Society published Red flags we don’t see: Missed signs and missed support in teenage relationships
Recommendations
To improve the national and local response to TRA, we make a series of recommendations.
First and foremost, the government must develop a definition of TRA which is shared consistently across local areas. Dedicated pathways for identification and response must then be established, building on this joint understanding.
Guaranteed access to effective, specialist support – which can flex to meet the complex needs of young people – is essential to both prevent and limit harm. Genuine early action must go beyond educational initiatives for young people, and instead focus on upskilling the workforce, supporting parents and carers, and investing in open-access youth provision where teenagers can explore their identity and relationships with others safely.
Importantly, we are clear that the government must prioritise this systemic reform before changing the age threshold for domestic abuse in the Domestic Abuse Act. Young people’s voices must be at the front and centre of this work. Meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with and co-produce the support systems that are designed to keep them safe must be established, recognising their expertise in their own lives.
Evaluation of Ofsted’s renewed approach to education inspection: summary of interim findings
On 6 October Ofsted published an independent report from IFF, Evaluation of Ofsted’s renewed approach to education inspection: summary of interim findings
Headlines
Positive experiences, in particular a more collaborative approach and the ‘secure fit’ model, were reported, however there were significant concerns about continuing negative wellbeing difficulties as a result of being inspected: with half (48%) of schools reported that mental wellbeing had been negatively affected a fair amount or a lot. 4 out of 5 early years settings agreed that inspection teams sought to understand their context, whilst the figure was two out of three schools.
Universal RISE grants 2025 to 2026: case studies
On 1 October DfE published Universal RISE grants 2025 to 2026: case studies
Of 25 case studies, three feature south east authorities and/or schools
Children’s homes workforce: knowledge and skills
On 24 September 2026 DfE published Children’s homes workforce knowledge and skills Rapid evidence assessment
Headlines
The report summarises findings from a rapid evidence assessment of recently published literature and stakeholder interviews.
It examines the purpose and use of children’s homes, highlighting a lack of shared national understanding of the role of children’s homes.
The report sets out the knowledge and skills needed by children’s home workers to support and safeguard children and young people.
Reminders From Previous Weeks
New statutory guidance on Kinship Care
On 2 October DfE published updated statutory guidance for Kinship Care
The new version reflects new duties on local authorities contained in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and new national kinship standards
New Standards
- Standard 1 – Local authorities provide needs-led support and take a whole-family approach, working with kinship carers, parents and the wider family network to understand and support the child or young person’s best interests.
- Standard 2 – The voice and experiences of kinship children and young people are at the heart of all decision making.
- Standard 3 – Anti-discriminatory and inclusive practice underpin all support provided to kinship families.
- Standard 4 – Local authorities prioritise the safeguarding and wellbeing of children in kinship care, providing appropriate support to kinship carers to help them manage complex family dynamics and arrangements.
- Standard 5 – Local authorities work with a diverse range of kinship families to develop an approach to kinship care and a clear, accessible, comprehensive kinship local offer that serves the entire local kinship community.
- Standard 6 – Integrated, multi-agency support for kinship families is delivered through collaborative practice and system-wide learning, and across local authority boundaries where necessary.
CSPRP Q4 rapid review analysis: January to March 2026
On 29 September CSPRP published Q4 rapid review analysis: January to March 2026
Headlines
- 60 rapid reviews submitted
- 50% death incidents
- 48% children under 1
- 30% Hidden males identified as a theme
Children and young people’s alcohol and drug services: framework
On 1 October DHSC published Children and young people’s alcohol and drug services: framework
Headlines
This national framework was developed in consultation with stakeholders, including young people with lived experience. It sets out clear expectations for how local areas should design, commission and deliver high-quality alcohol and drug interventions. It covers interventions for:
- children (aged 17 and under) delivered by children and young people’s specialist drug and alcohol treatment services
- young people (aged 18 to 24) as part of transitional arrangements in children and young people’s alcohol and drug services or in adult alcohol and drug treatment services
Foundations webinar: Reunification Practice Guide
On 10 November 2026 Foundations (What Works Centre for Children and Families) is hosting a webinar Reunification: learning from evidence, practice and lived experience
10:00-12:00 Tuesday 10 November
This interactive webinar will:
- Hear from a practice leader bringing learning from working with parents following removal of a child, highlighting how this can strengthen reunification support and services..
- Explore the key principles and recommendations from the Reunification Practice Guide developed by Foundations
- Engage with the voices of experience that the National Children’s Bureau listened to in developing the evidence review underpinning the Guide
This session is designed for practice leaders who are responsible for supporting and developing high-quality reunification practice in local multi-agency Family Help, child protection, safeguarding, children in care, and leaving care teams.
Regional Improvement Plan 2026-27
On 14 July 2026 SESLIP published our regional improvement plan for 2026-27
Headlines
The regional improvement plan has 43 projects and a budget of just over £2m.
The plan incorporates our delivery plan for DfE’s RIIA grant of £1.5m to SESLIP for financial year 2026-27.
Tools & Templates
We have produced a Regional Improvement Plan (July 2025)
On 6 October Ofsted published an independent report from IFF, Evaluation of Ofsted’s renewed approach to education inspection: summary of interim findings
On 2 October DfE published updated statutory guidance for Kinship Care
On 1 October DfE published Universal RISE grants 2025 to 2026: case studies. Of 25 case studies, three feature south east authorities and/or schools
On 1 October DHSC published Children and young people’s alcohol and drug services: framework
On 29 September CSPRP published Q4 rapid review analysis: January to March 2026
On 27 September The Children’s Society published Red flags we don’t see: Missed signs and missed support in teenage relationships
On 24 September 2026 DfE published Children’s homes workforce knowledge and skills Rapid evidence assessment
On 16 September IPPR published A better deal: tackling the NEET crisis
On 14 September 2026 DfE published upodated guidance on School Food Standards
On 4 September 2026 DfE published Enduring Relationships
On 4 September 2026 Ofsted (and others) published new guidance on JTAI of the response to younger children living with neglect
On 25 August 2026 DfE published ‘You really are on your own’: a study of the early deaths of young people who were in care
On 20 August 2026 MoJ published Turnaround Programme Guidance version 5
On 19 August 2026 DfE published School belonging and attainment at key stage 4: linked data study
On 13 August 2026 DfE published updated guidance for LAs on Care Leaver Local Offer
On 5 August 2026 DHSC announced Major expansion of community mental health support across England
On 4 August 2026 the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published updated technical guidance on data submission for the universal health visiting service: 2026 to 2027
On 26 July 2026 FRG published an evaluation of Dorset’s re-imagining pre-proceedings pilot and a new journey guide local family justice areas
On 23 July 2026 CSPRP published Adolescent Suicide. The child behind the story:understanding cumulative harm through lived experience
On 17 July 2026 Moj published Consultation on the oversight and funding of youth justice services. Online response form
On 15 July Ofcom published Use of Age Assurance Report 2026
On 14 July 2026 DSIT published Children’s circumvention behaviours online
On 14 July 2026 SESLIP published our regional improvement plan for 2026-27
On 13 July 2026 LGSCO published its annual report 205-2026 on local government (including children’s services) complaints
On 9 July DfE published Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England for AY 2024-2025
On 9 July Foundations (What Works Centre for Families andChildren) published a Reunification Practice Guide
On 8 July the Law Commission launched a consultation on Kinship Care
On 7 July Become published Gone Too Far: How being moved far away puts care-experienced girls at risk