Regional Update – August 2025

From Wolverhampton’s DCS and our Adoption and Special Guardianship Sponsor:

As we begin this new academic year, there is a palpable sense of renewed purpose across our children’s services. September always brings a natural moment to pause, reflect, and set our sights on the priorities ahead — but this year feels particularly significant.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional achievement of our colleagues in Shropshire, whose recent Ofsted inspection resulted in an Outstanding judgement. This recognition is testament to years of sustained commitment, thoughtful leadership, and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children and young people. The lessons from Shropshire’s journey — their emphasis on stable leadership, strong relationships with schools and communities, and a culture of continuous improvement — will continue to inform and inspire practice right across the West Midlands.

The start of the academic year also coincides with an important moment in the national agenda: the continuing programme of SEND reforms. These reforms are not simply about structural changes; they represent an opportunity to embed a culture where every child and young person with special educational needs and disabilities is enabled to thrive, and where families feel genuinely listened to and supported.

In our region, we are taking forward this ambition with renewed energy through the recently awarded Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliance (RIIA) grant for 2025/26, totalling £1.6 million from the Department for Education. This funding follows the submission of our comprehensive Delivery Plan, which outlines a series of targeted “packages” of work across both children’s social care and SEND.

For SEND specifically, our regional plan will see us delivering:

• A peer challenge programme that provides robust, constructive challenge to leadership teams, drawing on the ISOS framework to ensure our improvement efforts are evidence-informed.

• Strengthening the voice of children and young people and building parental confidence through co-production activities tailored to local needs, ensuring that decision-making is rooted in lived experience.

• SEND diagnostics to help identify and address priority areas in leadership conditions for effective practice, with minimal additional burden on local authority teams.

• Case audit moderation to support consistent standards and reflective practice across the region.

• Shared policies on Ordinarily Available Provision and Home to School Transport, ensuring equitable access and cost-effective approaches.

These initiatives are designed not only to meet the requirements of the SEND reforms but to do so in a way that builds lasting capacity within our systems. We know that improvement is not achieved through one-off interventions — it requires sustained collaboration, peer support, and a willingness to share both successes and challenges.

Our Delivery Plan also reflects a wider recognition that the lines between education, health, and care are increasingly interwoven. Many of the most persistent challenges our children and families face cannot be addressed in isolation. That is why the plan places such emphasis on multi-agency working, co-production, and region-wide sharing of best practice.

Of course, delivering on these ambitions will require collective effort. The RIIA funding gives us the means, but the how rests with all of us — leaders, practitioners, schools, health partners, and, importantly, the children and families at the heart of our work. In the months ahead, we will be engaging with each local authority to co-design the delivery of these packages, drawing on local strengths while addressing shared priorities.

So, as we embark on 2025/26, we do so with a clear vision: that every child and young person in the West Midlands should have access to excellent education and care, regardless of their needs or circumstances.  I am confident we can make meaningful strides towards that goal.

Let’s approach this year with ambition, collaboration, and the belief that our region can lead the way in shaping the future for our children.

Kind regards

Alison Hinds

Empowering Change Through Language: Worcestershire’s ‘Who Cares We Care’ Group Leads the Way.

On 22nd July 2025, Worcestershire County Council’s Child in Care Council, known as the ‘Who Cares We Care’ Group, delivered a powerful and thought-provoking presentation at the Children’s Services Managers Meeting. Speaking on behalf of all children and young people in care across Worcestershire, the group challenged attendees to reflect on the language used in professional settings and its impact on those it describes.

To read more, please click here.

Inspiring Future Leaders:

Only a limited number of places remain for the Inspiring Future Leaders Programme!

There's not much time left to apply for Cohort 3 of Inspiring Future Leaders, the national programme for aspiring senior leaders in children's services.

For more details click here.

Families First Partnership Network Leaders Day:

The Regional Team will be hosting the Families First Partnership Network Leaders Day on 2nd October at The Studio, Birmingham. Chaired by Sandeep Virk, the event will bring together implementation leads and colleagues to focus on MACPTs, share progress across local authorities, and highlight the child’s journey through this process.

Recognising Autism in Children and Young People – Practitioner Perspective:

ADASS are seeking practitioners to take part in a short survey, which forms part of a wider piece of research to explore the experiences of people with lived experience of autism; including children and young people, parents, carers and practitioners working in social care, health and education.

For more details, click here.

Upcoming Conferences and Events

CareKnowledge Live Webinar – Tuesday 23rd September 2025 – FREE

CareKnowledge are inviting partners to attend a live webinar on “Children and Hoarding: Hidden Harm, Lasting Impact”

Date: Tuesday, 23 September 2025

Time: 10:00am–12:00pm (includes a ten-minute break)

Location: Zoom (Online)

This free webinar explores the overlooked experiences of children living in hoarding households, including those who exhibit hoarding behaviours themselves. It offers practical insights into recognising early signs, understanding intergenerational risks, and applying a whole-family, trauma-informed approach. Attendees will gain confidence in responding sensitively and effectively, with an emphasis on multi-agency collaboration and the consequences of poor intervention. Suitable for professionals working with children, this session supports both new and experienced practitioners in strengthening their practice in this complex area.

Register and find out more. 

PWLE Seminar: Child contact problems and the Family Court - FREE

15 Oct 2025, 09:30 – 11:00

Microsoft Teams

This unique training session explores the complex and often overlooked challenges faced by men navigating child contact issues. Through real-world insights and professional reflection, the session aims to deepen understanding and improve outcomes for families.

Deadline to register: Monday 22nd of September

For more details click here.

Empowering Black & Global Majority Social Workers - FREE

09 Oct 2025, 09:30 – 10:30

Microsoft Teams

This Black History Month, step into a powerful space designed for you. Come to be seen. Stay to be empowered. Leave recharged.

Deadline to register: Monday 8th of September

For more details click here.

Regional Safeguarding Conference 27^th November – FREE

This year’s Regional Safeguarding Network Annual Conference will be at the Worcestershire County Cricket Club on 27th November and will be themed around neglect. Come and join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and expert speakers. This in-person event is the perfect chance to connect with professionals in the field and stay up to date on the latest topics and best practices in safeguarding. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Please contact your Regional Safeguarding Network representative for booking information.

Participation Conference – FREE

We are just finalising plans for this years Participation Conference, but please look out on next months Regional Update for full details.