Skills for Care recently published an updated framework to define and support great leadership in adult social care. The workforce development charity has refreshed its Leadership Qualities Framework (LQF) to set out the behaviours, skills, and mindsets that represent great leadership across adult social care. The framework is aligned to the Care Workforce Pathway...
New schools whitepaper aims to ‘transform life chances’
The government published the 2026 Schools Whitepaper last month, promising that it will transform “life chances for disadvantaged children and children with SEND.” The Every Child Achieving and Thriving whitepaper, published 23rd February 2026, sets out generational reforms to the schools and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) systems in England to help “improve...
All school staff to receive mandatory allergy awareness training
Schools in England must now provide allergy awareness training for all staff, following the introduction of new statutory guidance. Earlier this month, the Department for Education announced that allergy awareness training and a stock of spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergencies will be compulsory for all schools in England. The plans will come into force...
7 in 10 neurodivergent pupils face severe mental health issues
A new report has highlighted how up to 7 in 10 neurodivergent pupils experience severe mental health issues at school. The report’s authors argue that mental health support for neurodivergent pupils should be viewed as a “reasonable adjustment” to help prevent escalating needs. The charity Centre for Mental Health recently released a report, Strengths-based...
Experts consider new autism diagnosis to improve support
Experts are considering the introduction of a new autism diagnosis to help ensure that people with the highest support needs are provided with targeted services, focused research and funding. A panel of international experts, commissioned by the Lancet, has proposed the introduction of a new diagnostic category of “profound autism”. This new diagnosis would...
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: move from awareness to action
It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16th – 20th March 2026), which celebrates different minds and challenges the negative stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding neurological differences. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative founded in the UK in 2018 by Siena Castellon MBE, who has campaigned to support young people with special educational needs (SEN) from a...
AI Transcription in Health and Social Care
Learn how AI transcription tools, AI scribes, and ambient voice technology (AVT) are transforming healthcare and social care. This free guide helps clinicians, social workers, and care staff understand: How AI transcription can reduce administrative burden and free up time for patient and client care The efficiency gains and improved documentation accuracy achievable with AI scribes Key risks and challenges,...
First Response Training staff step up to Walk for Autism
First Response Training (FRT) have signed up a team of 22 staff members to raise awareness and funds as they Walk for Autism. The leading national training provider, which delivers a range of training on autism, neurodiversity and learning disabilities, is pleased to be supporting the annual fundraising challenge which encourages participants to walk...
Help children feel they belong this Children’s Mental Health Week
It’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 in the UK and the focus this year is on supporting children and young people to feel that they belong. Started by UK charity Place2Be in 2015, Children’s Mental Health Week takes place every February to raise awareness of children’s mental health and wellbeing and give a voice...
The Complete UK Guide to Mandatory Compliance Training for Staff
This comprehensive UK guide explains what training is legally required, what regulators expect, and what best practice looks like across: General workplaces Early years settings and schools Health and social care services The guide helps employers understand what is recommended by regulators such as Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and the Information Commissioner’s...
Happy New Year: Supporting learning and development in 2026
The start of a New Year often refocuses the mind, sparking us to consider our priorities and objectives for the months and years ahead. For many organisations, and individuals, these will include key learning and development goals. Supporting and promoting staff learning and development is essential for businesses, enabling them to build a skilled,...
Tackle workplace stress in 2026
As we kick off a New Year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched a new mental health campaign webpage to help employers tackle workplace stress. Forming part of the HSE’s long-term Working Minds campaign, the new webpage provides employers with essential information about how workplace stress develops and why it’s important to...
HSE inspections tackle health risks of flour dust in bakeries
The latest inspection drive from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is focusing on the health and safety risks posed by exposure to flour dust in bakeries. Britain’s health and safety watchdog is conducting a series of inspections at large bakeries across the country to check that they are properly protecting their workers from...
Firm fined over £400K after worker suffered life-changing head injuries
A packaging company has been prosecuted and fined over £400,000 after an employee suffered life-changing head injuries in an “entirely preventable” incident. Multi Packaging Solutions UK Limited manufactures paper packaging and Matthew King was working at their East Kilbride site when a 4.5-ton machine fell on him on 31st October 2023. The 39-year-old had...
Temporary accommodation ‘like torture’ for neurodivergent children
A new report has warned that neurodivergent children placed in temporary accommodation are often subjected to conditions “comparable to torture.” The report, entitled ‘It’s like torture: Life in Temporary Accommodation for Neurodivergent Children and their Families’ was based on a UK-wide call for evidence and forms part of the Sensory Lives Project. Supported by...