There are warnings that the first set of official SEND training materials for schools will disappoint many in the sector, as they lack “practical strategies” and include at least one “glaring omission.” Tes magazine (formerly the Times Educational Supplement) has tested the reaction to the first wave of teaching materials, which were published on...
World Mental Health Day 2026 calls for lived experiences to be heard
Saturday 10th October is World Mental Health Day 2026, with the theme for this year’s campaign being Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change. Set by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) the 2026 campaign theme is a rallying call to listen to and engage with individuals with personal, lived experience of mental...
Neurodivergent individuals ‘face a lack of inclusive practices’ in the workplace
A recent report into neurodiversity and the workplace has found that neurodivergent individuals “continue to face a lack of inclusive practices, equitable opportunities and fair career progression.” The Expert Academic Panel on Neurodiversity published its final report and recommendations on 2nd October 2026. It says that, while some progress has been made on inclusion...
DfE sets out reasonable adjustments for SEND support in school
The Department for Education (DfE) has set out examples of reasonable adjustments that schools could make for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The draft document provides new reasonable adjustment guidance as part of the government’s plans to make mainstream schools more inclusive. The document includes examples of what could be seen...
First aid essentials in case of emergency or war
The government has been urging the public to keep emergency supplies of food, water and cash at home in case of extreme weather, cyber-attacks and war. Now, a GP has also advised that people should be considering what first aid essentials they have at home for emergency situations. The government advises that all households...
1 in 5 UK workers experiences poor mental health
A recent report from the Mental Health Foundation has revealed that 1 in 5 workers in the UK is now facing poor mental health. This equates to 7.2 million people across the country, and an increase of 66% – or 2.9 million people – since 2009. The Mental Health Foundation says that factors such...
Food manufacturing firm fined £500K for ‘wholly avoidable incident’
A major food manufacturer has been fined more than half a million pounds after a “wholly avoidable incident,” left two workers with “severe and painful scalding injuries.” Samworth Brothers Ltd, which owns the Ginsters, Soreen and West Cornwall Pasty Co. brands, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fined £594,000 over...
Campaign urges construction to focus on health, safety and wellbeing
This October, a nationwide campaign will be encouraging firms in the construction industry to pause work and focus on health, safety and wellbeing. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) will be using their long-running Stop. Make a Change campaign to highlight 3 key health and safety risks in the civil engineering sector. These risks...
Government to introduce world’s strongest online child safety laws
The UK government has pledged to introduce the world’s strongest online child safety laws as it prepares legislation on nude images. The government announced earlier this month that it is set to introduce new legislation which will force tech companies to strengthen protections on both devices and platforms to prevent young people under the...
NSPCC reveals top 5 apps linked to online child sexual abuse
The NSPCC has revealed the top 5 digital platforms and apps linked to online child sexual abuse as the government’s deadline for tech firms to introduce specific safety measures for children expired. The NSPCC says that data from Childline counselling sessions shows which platforms children referred to most often when speaking about online sexual...
New report analyses over 2,000 preventable falls
A new report has analysed over 2,000 documented falls, 853 residents and 3,000,000 transitions to learn about preventable falls in care homes. The Teton Research Report looked at 46 care-home departments to analyse each fall stage by stage, from the conditions that preceded the fall to the minutes afterwards, to identify any recurring patterns...
CQC are developing new guidance on dementia care
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is developing new guidance on what good dementia care should look like, and they are seeking the views of people providing and using services, their families, carers and the general public. The health and social care watchdog is planning to launch a formal consultation early next year, but, prior...
CQC reviews progress of mandatory learning disability and autism training
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reflected on the progress of mandatory learning disability and autism training in care, one year after the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice was published. The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice sets out the expectations placed on registered health and care providers to ensure they meet the mandatory training...
NHS failing to ‘sufficiently treat and look after’ people with learning disabilities
Baroness Casey, Chair of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, has said the NHS “are unable to sufficiently treat and look after people with learning disabilities.” Speaking to ITV News’ Dan Hewitt earlier this month, Baroness Casey said she believed that the NHS was failing people with learning disabilities and heavily criticised the...
Young people face “a real rise” in mental health problems
The head of an independent review into mental health, ADHD and autism says his report “dismisses the idea of a snowflake generation,” and insists that young people today face a “very toxic” environment and “real serious challenges.” Professor Peter Fonagy spoke exclusively to the BBC ahead of the publication of his official review and...