Regional Update – October 2026
From Coventry’s DCS and our Commissioning Hub host:
There is something quite special about October. As autumn settles in and the landscape changes into warm shades of gold, red and burnt orange, I have a vision and expectation that life and work will slow down but of course as we all know there is no chance of that!! October is also however a month that holds significance for many of us for cultural, religious and other important reasons.
At the forefront is Black History Month. This year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities, gives us an opportunity to celebrate the communities that shape who we are and give us our sense of identity, pride and belonging. While we will be marking the month across our region and Coventry has many events planned corporately and in children’s and education, we know there is still a long way to go in tackling racism and inequality. Our Anti-Racist Practice Conference on 4th November will allow us to look honestly at what we are doing, share our learning and consider what more is needed on our anti-racist practice journey across children’s and education services.
October also gives us the opportunity to mark Kinship Care Week, which recognises and aligns with our wider ambition for more children to remain connected and within their families and extended networks wherever it is safe and right for them. This is central to the Government’s children’s social care reform agenda and reflects what children consistently tell us matters to them: maintaining important relationships and a sense of identity, family and belonging.
A highlight of last month that I cannot go without mentioning was attending the West Midlands Team Excellence Awards for the first time. I had heard a lot about the event, but being there and hearing the wonderful stories of achievement was special. While, of course we are all winners, the nominations were exceptional and reflected the talent and commitment across our regional workforce. Whether in social care, education, early help, participation, fostering, residential care or wider support services, people are working together every day to do the right thing for children and families.
The awards also made me think about how we can do more to share our learning and celebrate our successes. Improvement is never attributed to the achievements of one person. It comes from teams working together with a shared purpose and often in challenging circumstances.
That collective approach remains one of the West Midlands’ greatest strengths. As host authority for the Regional Commissioning Hub, Coventry has the privilege of seeing this partnership working first-hand. As we progress towards the Regional Care Cooperative and Fostering Hubs, it gives us a real opportunity to improve sufficiency, strengthen placement choice and secure better outcomes for children.
We should also recognise the approval of all of our SEND Reform Plans this month, an important step in turning our shared ambition into meaningful change for children, young people and families.
There is so much happening across children’s and education services, and the pace can sometimes feel relentless. Yet, amid that busyness, there is real hope. I see it in the dedication of our workforce, the strength of our partnerships and our shared determination to keep improving. Whatever lies ahead, that common purpose gives me confidence that as a region we will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Kind Regards
Sukriti Sen CBE
Families First and SEND Reform Integration:
On 9th December, we will be holding a regional Families First Partnership and SEND Reforms event, bringing together two of the most significant reform programmes currently affecting children's services. The session will provide an opportunity to consider how these developments align locally and regionally, explore emerging practice and discuss the implications for leadership, workforce development and service delivery. It promises to be a valuable opportunity for colleagues to share learning and strengthen collaboration as implementation progresses.
Regional Peer Reviews:
Our peer review programme continues to be a key component of sector-led improvement across the West Midlands. The next regional review will take place shortly, providing an opportunity for leaders and practitioners to learn from colleagues in other local authorities and trusts, while also offering constructive challenge and support. The programme continues to receive positive feedback from participating areas. We are always keen to expand our pool of reviewers, so colleagues interested in joining future review teams are encouraged to get in touch with Sandeep Virk.
Anti-Racist Practice Conference:
Preparations are now being finalised for the West Midlands ADCS Anti-Racist Practice Conference on 4th November. The conference marks an important milestone for the region's collective commitment to anti-racist practice and will bring together colleagues from across children's services to share learning, reflect on progress and explore practical approaches to embedding anti-racist principles within organisations and partnerships. The final agenda is being circulated this week, and we look forward to welcoming a wide range of delegates from across the region.
Please note this event is now full and we cannot accept any more applications to attend.
Growing Future Leaders Programme:
Applications are now open for the latest cohort of the Staff College's Growing Future Leaders Programme, designed for practitioners who are ready to make the transition from managing teams and services to leading across whole systems. Following strong demand for previous cohorts, the programme offers a blend of residential learning, virtual workshops and action learning sets, helping participants develop the confidence, political awareness and systems leadership skills needed for future Head of Service roles.
The programme is aimed at colleagues working in children's social care, education, SEND, early help and related services who are looking to broaden their strategic leadership capabilities and prepare for senior leadership opportunities. Full details, eligibility criteria and application information can be found below.
For more details and to apply, click here.
Building Momentum: Region-Wide Commitment to SEND Reform:
This month marks a significant milestone for the West Midlands, with all 14 Local Authority SEND Reform Plans approved, demonstrating a strong and collective commitment to transformation. Engagement remains positive, with seven Local Authorities actively participating in the delivery of regional SEND support packages. We continue to see valuable involvement from key stakeholders across the region, strengthening collaboration, sharing learning, and supporting a coordinated approach to improving outcomes and experiences for children, young people and families.
Regional Secondment Opportunity – Programme Support Officer:
The West Midlands ADCS Network Regional Team is seeking expressions of interest from employees across the 14 West Midlands local authorities for a 15-month secondment opportunity as Programme Support Officer (Band D, £33,673 - £38,510).
Applicants should submit a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 500 words outlining their suitability for the role, relevant experience, and interest in the opportunity. Full details of the role, responsibilities and person specification can be found in the attached JDPS.
Closing date: 16th November 2026 (10am)
Spotlight on Your Regional Team:
Our Spotlight on Your Regional Team feature continues this month with an introduction to another colleague whose work supports collaboration, improvement and programme delivery across the West Midlands. This month, we shine a light on Lizzie White, one of the West Midlands ADCS Projects Officers. Through her work supporting a range of regional priorities and partnerships, Lizzie helps coordinate activity across the network, working with colleagues from local authorities, trusts and partner organisations to turn regional ambitions into practical delivery. In her own words, Lizzie shares a little about her role, current priorities and what she enjoys most about working across the region.
Last month marked a special milestone for me as I celebrated 5 years with the WM ADCS Network. Looking back, it's incredible to see how much both my role and our regional programme have evolved over time.
As a Regional Programme Officer, I help coordinate a wide range of regional programmes and priorities, supporting governance, meetings, events, communications, and programme delivery. I work closely with colleagues across the West Midlands on major initiatives including the Regional Care Cooperative, Families First developments, as well as our workforce programmes, and sector-led improvement activity.
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to work alongside colleagues from all 14 Local Authorities and our partner organisations. No two days are the same, and I enjoy bringing people together, finding solutions, and helping turn ideas into meaningful reality.
I am passionate about collaboration and, like the rest of the team, I believe some of the region's greatest achievements come from working together and shining a light on areas of excellent practice that we know exist in each Council & Trust.
Upcoming Conferences and Events
Save the Date: Regional Safeguarding Network Conference 2027:
Please save the date for the Regional Safeguarding Network Conference, taking place on Thursday 25th February 2027.
This year's conference will focus on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), bringing together professionals from across the region to explore key issues, share learning, and hear from expert speakers and practitioners.
To book your place or find out more information, please contact your Regional Safeguarding Network representative.
West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership:
The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership continues to offer a wide range of professional development opportunities for colleagues across the sector. Alongside a new People with Lived Experience Seminar exploring professional curiosity through the lens of lived experience, a number of additional training and development sessions are available over the coming months. These opportunities support practitioners, managers and supervisors to strengthen their skills, reflect on practice and learn from peers and experts across the region. Details of the latest sessions can be found below. Participation is available at no cost to employees of local authorities that are members of the Teaching Partnership, helping to ensure colleagues across the region can access high-quality learning and development opportunities.
People With Lived Experience Seminar: Professional curiosity, the lived experience perspective.
11th November 2026, 09:30 – 11:00 - Microsoft Teams
Are you unsure how to be professionally curious with people from different backgrounds and want help with how to have difficult conversations with them?
Practitioner-led research in social care: options, opportunities and approaches
12th November 2026, 09:30 – 11:00 - Microsoft Teams
Are you a social care practitioner who is interested in (or mystified by) research? Join us to explore exactly why social care practitioners are important to research, and what opportunities there are for you to get involved
Beyond The Hoard Champion Training
24th November 2026, 09:30 – 13:00 - Microsoft Teams
Become a “Beyond the Hoard Champion”!
Learning from People with Lived Experience Seminar: "You must have enjoyed it".
10th December 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 - Microsoft Teams
David Gowar M.A. guides us through a personal account of domestic abuse and coercive control. This session will be designed for apprentices and students, but open to all practitioners across our partner agencies.
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