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If you have information to be included in the next issue of the PEP bulletin, please send your text, image and link by Tuesday at 12pm to pep@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
A very warm welcome back to a new term and academic year; and my Facebook feed, full of first day back photos of smiling children tells me that it feels like some kind of familiar normality is returning. I trust that you have had some rest and relaxation over the summer; never before have our school and college staff and leaders deserved that break after such a challenging and disruptive year. I hope that in 2021/22 our children and young people will not have to endure another year of constant change and disruption.
The efforts made last year to provide a safe education environment for our children and to ensure children could continue with their education at home when in lockdown or in self-isolation were extraordinary. We pulled together as a city and I have no doubt that level of co-operation and collaboration will continue into this year as we emerge from the pandemic.
I very much look forward to the opportunity of visiting early years settings, schools and colleges this year and meeting colleagues who over the past 18 months I have only been able to see through virtual meetings.
Good luck to everyone in the weeks and months ahead.
Councillor Suzy Horton
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education
Preparing for study, work and life |
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Free CareerSense workshop from NatWest
NatWest are rolling out a new, free workshop and learning resource focused on employability skills and building students’ career confidence. The CareerSense exploration workshop has been developed by careers specialists and teachers for year 9 upwards.
In this free, one-hour workshop, students will complete a series of tasks supported by the virtual presence of a NatWest employee ambassador, using real-life examples. They will explore key skills, spotting when each is used and reflecting on their own capabilities. Bringing jobs to life, the workshop enables students to recognise the vital transferable skills they can develop.
Leadership, recruitment and retention |
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Apprentice email addresses required from 26 August 2021
The government has announced that from 26 August 2021, all school apprentices must have a work email address. This is because a unique email address must be used when adding an apprentice record to your apprenticeship service account. Without a unique apprentice email address, you will not be able to save or approve the apprentice record, so funding cannot be allocated.
Once the email address is added to your account, the apprentice will receive an email invitation to create a 'My apprenticeship' account. 'My apprenticeship' accounts are a new service that will improve the onboarding process for apprentices.
What you need to do
You need to collect a unique email address for each apprentice you will be adding to your apprenticeship service account from 26 August 2021.
If you require support using the apprenticeship service, watch the how-to videos, view the advice on apprenticeships.gov.uk or visit the help portal.
Curriculum and CPD |
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National professional qualifications (NPQs)
HISP Teaching School Hub is a delivery partner for the Education
Development Trust on the newly reformed national professional qualifications (NPQs) programmes.
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The goal is to offer an evidence-based and highly impactful professional development
pathway for teachers and leaders at all levels, which will make a tangible impact on
classroom practice, school culture and pupil outcomes.
An updated NPQ brochure and individual NPQ programme flyers are now available to download.
Further information, including details of costs and scholarships and how to apply, can be found on the HISP Teaching School Hub website.
Emotional health and wellbeing |
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 Sexual Health Week 2021 (13-19 September)
Brook's Sexual Health Week will take place from 13-19 September 2021 and this year's theme is Consent: Do You Get It?
Throughout the week they’ll be looking at everything from consent in digital relationships, to how to tackle sexual harassment in schools, and more.
They’ll also be providing young people, educators and sexual health professionals with a range of tools and resources to help everyone understand consent.
New campaign from Solent NHS Trust Sexual Health Service
Solent NHS Trust Sexual Health Service are running an online campaign to reach young people that is designed to support their sexual health and wellbeing. It aims to respond to commonly asked questions and provide key information young people should know.
What's new?
- Updated young person’s advice guide, helping young people access accurate, reliable information and connect with the professionals and services that can support them to be sexually healthy.
- Focus on key questions young people commonly have about sex and relationships.
- Signposting support for young people who may have worries with regards to online relationships and how they can stay safer.
- New ways in which young people can talk to the service confidentially.
- Updated information for transgender, non-binary, intersex and gender diverse service users.
A campaign pack is available for anyone supporting young people and includes social media images, a campaign poster and video, and RSE toolkit.
If you have any questions or feedback please email SHPNetworks.Directory@solent.nhs.uk
Family Support Project for families affected by alcohol use |
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Is alcohol having a negative impact on your family life? Has yours or your partner’s drinking increased as a result of the pandemic?
Then the Family Support Project could be just for you. The Family Support Project is a new service in Portsmouth providing a range of support and interventions to families affected by alcohol use.
A family worker can meet with you and your family to understand what changes you would like to make. Once you have made a family plan, your family worker will agree with you how often it would be helpful to meet. They can also agree on the type of support that would be most useful for you and your family members.
There are no waiting times, and a referral is as simple as making a call, text or sending an email. If you would like to find out more or just ask for some advice, please call or text 07584 563004 or email family.support@ssj.org.uk.
Free training courses for out-of-school settings
Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership (PSCP) is providing free online training which gives an overview of the new guidance issued by the Department for Education entitled: Keeping children safe during community activities, after-school clubs and tuition.
Places are available for anyone who is a provider of an out-of-school setting, like a sports club or language school, to help them be on top of their safeguarding knowledge.
Book your place on one of the following dates:
- Wednesday 15 September 2021, 4.30pm - 6pm
- Friday 19 November 2021, 11am - 12.30pm
To book, email pscptraining@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and provide the following information: name, organisation/setting and email address.
Past attendees have given the course top marks, saying the trainer is "knowledgeable, fantastic and engaging."
 Tips for parents in choosing a safe club for their child
With the summer holidays coming to an end, parents and carers will again be planning clubs and activities for their child outside of school. To help parents and carers choose a safe setting, we have put together some questions to ask providers, as well as positive signs to look out for when choosing a setting.
Please share this information widely with families as they return to school.
For top tips, a helpful video, example questions and the full guidance, parents and carers can visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/safeclubs
Kooth Youth Mental Health Day live event
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This year, Youth Mental Health Day (7 September 2021) will focus on how young people #StrideForward with their mental health.
To support young people and Youth Mental Health Day, Kooth's London and South East team will be providing a live webinar on Tuesday 7 September from 2pm - 2.45pm.
It will look at dealing with anxiety and stress, self-care tips, and outlining Kooth's free support with opportunities for discussion and to ask questions.
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The webinar can be accessed by any schools, youth services or healthcare professionals with their young people across London and the South East.
LA updates
COVID-19 vaccinations for 16 and 17 year olds
16 and 17 year olds can now get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, either by invitation from an NHS contact such as a GP surgery, or at a walk-in clinic.
Please share this information and encourage all children of that age, or people who look after, or work with children of that age, to get their first jab in order to protect themselves and others.
 Free 12-week weight loss and fitness programmes
Many people have gained weight during the pandemic due to the restriction on our lives. But we know there is an added risk of complications from COVID-19 if we are carrying excess body weight. So if you're over 18 with a BMI of 30-35 and are ready to commit to a 12-week programme, sign up and bounce back to lose those extra pounds.
There are three start dates for the free Let's Bounce Back healthy weight programme at venues across the city, from September 2021 to March 2022.
Sign up at portsmouth.gov.uk/bounceback, or email wellbeing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to find out more.
 Meet existing carers in-person
Foster Portsmouth are holding our first in-person foster carer recruitment event since the lifting of restrictions for people living in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas who wish to find out more about becoming a foster carer.
Held on Saturday 25 September from 10am - 1pm at Portsmouth's Holiday Inn Express, Farlington, the event will provide an opportunity to talk directly to existing foster carers and to hear first-hand about the rewards fostering can bring.
We need more foster carers from diverse backgrounds to reflect the looked after children and young people in our city. If you are 18+ and have a spare bedroom, then you can foster with us regardless of your age, gender, faith, ethnicity, sexuality, marital or work status, or whether you rent or own your own home.
Join us to learn more about the positive impact you can make to the lives of Portsmouth's vulnerable children and young people.
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