Regional Update – June 2025

From Coventry City Council’s Director of Children and Education Services:

“Time flies when you’re having fun”—or does it? The past 10 months have certainly flown by, but whether it’s all been fun is a question best left unanswered. What I can say is that my feet have barely touched the ground. From grappling with budget pressures and SEND complexities to implementing the Children’s Social Care Reforms and navigating the political landscape, the role of Director of Children’s Services has been as demanding as it is rewarding.

Last week’s 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review was met with anticipation across the public sector. Like many DCS colleagues, I quietly dared to hope for a generous settlement. The review did bring some welcome news—£555 million for social care reform, increased funding for schools, SEND, and free school meals. But while these commitments are a step forward, and there is a cautious optimism, there is also real concern about whether the funding will meet the scale and complexity of need and support long-term transformation. As always, the real test lies in how this translates into meaningful change for children, families, and the professionals who support them.

Despite the challenges, I remain an optimist. Over the past 10 months, I’ve seen the strength of the West Midlands DCS network and the power of collaboration. Our generosity in sharing the learning from the Families First Partnership Programme, the collective progress in opening a Safe Centre in the region and our ambitions to address the challenges of sufficiency by joint commissioning is positive and moving at pace in the right direction.

I feel a deep sense of privilege in being the Director of Children and Education Services in Coventry. I have experienced countless moments that remind me why I do what I do—from young children in care performing with confidence at events, to a young person in care with additional needs with the support of the music service singing on stage with Ed Sheeran. One of those moments that filled me with emotion and one that I will forever remember. In addition celebrating our UASC Team and a care leaver at the Frontline Awards and launching the Coventry Relational Social Work podcast (which has within a short period of time reached a wide audience nationally and internationally) have all been proud milestones.

Equally powerful have been the honest, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations with our workforce—particularly around anti-racist practice. These ‘continuing the dialogue sessions are driving real change and reflection, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been filled with purpose, joy, and growth. I look forward to what lies ahead—with hope, determination, and a continued commitment to the children and families we serve.

Kind regards

Sukriti Sen

Principal Social Worker Conference 2025: Thinking Family and Permanence from First Contact:

This year’s Principal Social Worker Conference took place on 19th June, centred around the theme Thinking Family and Permanence. It was a fantastic day, with brilliant speakers, including our Chief Social Worker, Isabelle Trowler. Our Principal Social Workers led inspiring workshops, sharing expertise and reflections from practice. We were especially privileged to hear from a parent with lived experience, offering powerful insights into social work processes and the difference the Dandelion project has made. A huge thank you to all involved, especially Lizzy from the WMADCS regional team, whose careful organisation made the day seamless. The event truly showcased the passion within our regional workforce.

Families First Partnerships Network:

The regions first in-person FPP network meeting took place earlier in June, with representatives from 13 local authorities in attendance. The session took a conversational approach, creating an open space for sharing learning, challenges, and examples of good practice. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with a clear appetite for greater connection and collaboration across the region. While we recognise there is still much to do, the strength of our regional identity and collective commitment provides a solid foundation for future progress. Together, we are well positioned to drive meaningful change and build on the momentum established through this initial meeting. Sandeep Virk, Senior Officer Sector Led Improvement.

SAFEBED Research:

We have also been contacted by a research team at Aston University who are investigating the use of enclosed bed designs (sometimes referred to as 'safe sleeping spaces') in children with intellectual disability.

They are looking for children aged 3-11 who have an intellectual disability/autism and/or a genetic syndrome who are on the pathway to receiving an enclosed bed.  They are also looking for caregivers who have used an enclosed bed with an individual they care for at any point in the last two years (they don't still have to be using the bed).

Caregivers who have used an enclosed bed at any point in the last two years will be invited to participate in a two-hour focus group with up to five other caregivers to discuss their experience of bed assessment and implementation.

All data will be collected by the Aston University research team, the role of the local authority will only be to identify eligible participants.  If you are able to support the research team with identifying suitable participants, please contact Sandra Prew.

Upcoming Conferences and Events

Age Assessment training – April to July – FREE:

West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership are facilitating a series of Age Assessment training sessions, delivered by the National Age Assessment Board.

Sessions will be delivered in person, at the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton, WV1 1RL.

Details can be found please find the webpage here and to book, use the links below.

Team Managers/Decision Makers Session – session is delivered in one day

Age Assessment Training - Team Managers/Decision Makers Tickets, Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Age Assessment Training Tickets, Wed 16 Jul 2025 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Reunification Conference – 26th June:                                                    Coventry are hosting a Reunification Conference Since we launched their Reunification Project in 2021, they have had lots of interest nationally and want to take the opportunity to share what has worked in Coventry, the voices of families who have been part of the project and bring together some leading voices on reunification nationally. With the focus on reunification within the Families for Children First Reforms, this will be a day which will support practice which brings families back together.

For more detail click here.