Regional Update – September 2026
From Sandwell’s DCS and our commissioning sponsor:
As we move into the autumn, I hope colleagues have been able to enjoy at least some time away from work over the summer. Whilst many of us will have taken the opportunity to recharge, activity across the West Midlands children's services system has certainly not stood still.
You'll forgive me if this month's introduction is slightly more focused on one particular area than is perhaps usual, but recent weeks have marked a significant milestone for the region, and it feels important to reflect on what has been achieved collectively.
Following confirmation earlier this summer that the West Midlands Regional Care Cooperative (RCC) had been approved by the Department for Education, a huge amount of work has been taking place behind the scenes to move the programme from a successful bid into an operational reality. Governance arrangements are now being established, key leadership appointments are being made, and we are beginning to build the foundations of what could become one of the most significant developments in children's social care across our region for many years.
The RCC is not an end in itself. Its purpose is to help us tackle some of the challenges we all face around sufficiency, placement stability, market pressures and ensuring that more children can receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. What gives me confidence is that we are not starting from scratch. The RCC is building on strong existing foundations, including the West Midlands Commissioning Hub, the Regional Placement Portal, our developing Sufficiency Strategy, and the many collaborative relationships that already exist across the region.
Alongside the RCC, there has been more good news for the West Midlands. The Black Country Fostering Hub has now begun implementation, creating exciting opportunities to strengthen foster carer recruitment, support and retention. More recently, we have also received confirmation that our Home Again application has been successful. These programmes are distinct in their own right, but growing regional maturity and an increasing ability to attract national investment and influence reform.
What strikes me most about all of this is the spirit of collaboration that sits behind it. Whether through commissioning, fostering, youth justice, SEND, sector-led improvement or wider partnership working, the region continues to show that we are at our strongest when we work collectively. The scale of the challenges facing children and families means that no single organisation holds all the answers. The willingness of colleagues to share expertise, support one another and commit time to regional solutions remains one of the defining strengths of the West Midlands.
None of this would be possible without the contribution of colleagues at every level. From frontline practitioners and operational managers, through to senior leaders, elected members and partners, the commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people continues to be evident in everything we do.
There is, of course, still a great deal of work ahead. But as we move into the next phase of delivery across a range of programmes, I believe there is good reason to be optimistic about what we can achieve together.
Thank you for your continued support, challenge and commitment. I look forward to working with you all in the months ahead.
Kind Regards
Sally Giles
Team Excellence Awards 2026
Colleagues from across the West Midlands came together in September for the fifth annual Team Excellence Awards, celebrating the outstanding teams making a difference to children, young people and families every day. With nominations spanning social care, SEND, education, early years, fostering, residential care and participation, the event highlighted the breadth of excellence across the region. Congratulations to all fifteen nominated teams. Read the full event brochure and learn more about this year's nominees here.
Families First Partnership Update
Colleagues from across the West Midlands recently came together for the Families First Partnership (FFP) Leaders and Partners Day, providing an opportunity to strengthen relationships, share learning and explore common priorities. A Challenge Circle session enabled local authorities and trusts to discuss current challenges and draw on the collective experience of peers from across the region. The event also included consideration of the latest MACPT evaluation findings and an update on developments within SEND, helping to shape future areas of focus and support ongoing improvement through shared learning and collaboration.
Staff College – Women in Leadership Programme:
The Staff College's Women in Leadership Programme offers a valuable opportunity for women aspiring to take the next step in their leadership journey. Delivered across three sessions, the programme provides time and space to reflect on career progression, explore the barriers women can face in leadership roles, and build the confidence, networks and insights needed to move forward. Participants will learn alongside women from a range of sectors and backgrounds, benefiting from shared experiences, practical development and lasting professional connections. Applications are now open for the next cohort.
Growing Future Leaders Programme Returns for a Third Cohort
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.
Spotlight on Your Regional Team:
Our Spotlight on Your Regional Team feature continues this month with an introduction to another colleague whose work plays an important role in supporting improvement activity across the West Midlands. This month, we shine a light on Natalie Bevan, the West Midlands SEND Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliance (RIIA) Coordinator. Through her work bringing together local authorities, partners and practitioners, Natalie helps create opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and collective improvement in SEND and Alternative Provision.
Hello, I'm Natalie Bevan, the West Midlands SEND RIIA Coordinator. I work across the region to support collaboration, shared learning and improvement in SEND and Alternative Provision.
I have worked in local authorities for the past 21 years, with a particular focus on SEND and the management of SEND services.
At the heart of my role is bringing colleagues together from across local authorities and partner organisations to identify common priorities, share effective practice and explore opportunities to address challenges collectively. The RIIA provides a valuable forum for learning from the expertise that already exists across the West Midlands, while also encouraging innovation and new approaches to service improvement.
My role is to help make those connections happen, ensuring that regional conversations translate into practical learning, meaningful collaboration and tangible opportunities for improvement.
Ultimately, my work is about building on the strengths that exist across the West Midlands and supporting our shared ambition to improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND, and their families.
Upcoming Conferences and Events
West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership: Upcoming Learning Opportunities
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.
People With Lived Experience Seminar: Professional curiosity, the lived experience perspective.
Wednesday the 11th of 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?
Cultural Humility and Safety Training
Monday the 5th of October 2026, 10:00 – 17:00, Council House, Council House, Birmingham B3 3SD
How can we move beyond cultural awareness to truly inclusive practice? This in-person Cultural Humility and Safety session will support you to reflect on power, bias, and lived experience while developing practical approaches to fostering respectful and inclusive environments.
On Site/Work Based Supervisor Training (½ Day)
Wednesday the 21st of October 2026, 09:30am – 12:30pm
MS TEAMS
Exploring the role of the onsite supervisor for BA and MA social work students for practitioners in Local Authorities and private, voluntary, and independent organisations who provide placements for one of our partner HEIs.
Save the Date – Anti Racist Conference:
Please save the date for our Regional Anti Racist Conference on Wednesday 4th November.
This event is aimed at senior leaders across the Children’s Services and will provide an opportunity to come together to strengthen our collective commitment to anti racist practice, share learning and explore how we can continue to lead meaningful change across our services.
Attendance at the Anti-Racist Conference will be via DCS nomination and each Council/Trust has 10 spaces.
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