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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.
Independent Chair - Portsmouth Education Partnership
Frances Soul, the Chair of the Portsmouth Education Partnership (PEP) will be stepping down from the role at the end of this academic year. As such the PEP is seeking to appoint a part time Independent Chair, over a two-year period initially, in order to provide supportive leadership for continued education improvement in Portsmouth and build on the legacy of the Priority Education Investment Area (PEIA) programme.
Further details and how to apply can be found here.
Inclusion
Brand new mental health training |
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Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership (PSCP) is offering a fully funded three-part training programme for anyone working with children and families in Portsmouth, delivered in person at the Training and Learning Centre.
In session one (available to book now), explore the differences between mental health and wellbeing and how we as professionals can support children and young people to thrive within the scope of our roles. Dates for sessions two and three will be released shortly.
Bookable now via the PSCP website. Login with your existing account or create one now, it only takes 30 seconds!
Self-harm awareness training with Solent Mind |
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The experienced Solent Mind training team are offering live online (and some face-to-face) training to equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools to support young people you work with who may self-harm or be at risk of self-harming. The training and resources are designed to upskill staff and build a culture of understanding and proactive support.
Upcoming sessions
Self-harm awareness (1 hour) - basic understanding and improving confidence:
- Wednesday 7 May 2025 - 10am to 11am
- Thursday 19 June 2025 - 1pm to 2pm
Self-harm awareness (3 hour) - more in depth understanding of self-harm, suicide awareness and intervention skills as well as techniques to build resilience:
- Tuesday 29 April 2025 - 9am to 12pm
- Thursday 22 May 2025 - 9.30am to 12.30pm
Reflective practice (1 hour) - a chance to share with peers:
- Wednesday 30 April 2025 - 11am to 12pm
The Solent Mind Self-Harm Support Hub also contains a wealth of information and resources to assist your learning and understanding of self-harm and tools to enable you to support a young person who may be self-harming or be at risk of self-harm.
Pride flag competition |
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There are less than 50 days to go until Portsmouth Pride hosts UK Pride '25 and they want to get schools and youth groups from across Portsmouth involved in helping to design a flag for the parade.
They've teamed up with Official Print Partners at Hampshire Flag Company to get your ideas for flags that are given out during the parade.
Youth groups, clubs, schools, charities and more can all take part and submit designs before Friday 16 May 2025. The panel will then select a winner and print in time for Portsmouth Pride.
Portsmouth SEND Local Offer Live returns to Cosham Community Centre |
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Families who have children and young people up to the age of 25 years old with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are invited to attend Local Offer Live at Cosham Community Centre on Wednesday 30 April 2025 from 10.30am - 2.30pm.
Local Offer Live brings together community groups, organisations and services who can support families with information, advice and resources. Those who live in the PO1 - PO6 area are set to benefit from up to 20 exhibitors who will be on hand to help, along with demonstrations and workshops run by local music and dance SEND groups.
Please share this event with families who you think would benefit from attending. To register and for more information, please visit the Portsmouth SEND Local Offer website.
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School improvement
Ensuring access to the Portsmouth Sexual Health Service website |
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We recently found that a Portsmouth school's firewall had blocked access to our local sexual health service website, LetsTalkAboutIt. This site is a fantastic resource for both teachers and students, offering lesson plans, guidance, and the Young Persons Advice Guide with FAQs and information on how to access local support services.
Having access to accurate information and local guidance is really important for supporting our students' health and well-being, through enabling teaching staff to access the information or signpost, and for young people to read if they have questions or concerns.
Could you please check if the website is accessible on your school computers. If it's blocked, just reach out to your IT department to get permissions changed.
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Help us promote the Teach Portsmouth Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair |
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 Teach Portsmouth is excited to bring another recruitment fair to Portsmouth Central Library on Thursday 1 May 2025 from 10am - 2pm that focuses on support and teaching assistant jobs.
To help encourage more people to sign up and attend the event, we are asking schools in the city to share information through their social media pages and in their school newsletters. Please include the following text:
Get your ticket to the Teach Portsmouth Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair
If you want to support children and young people in a school, come along to Teach Portsmouth's next event on Thursday 1 May at Portsmouth Central Library from 10am to 11.45am and 12pm to 2pm.
- Watch short presentations on how to join a school and become a teaching assistant
- Hear from experienced support staff from Portsmouth's classrooms
- Learn about training and apprenticeship opportunities
- Explore current vacancies from schools on the jobs board
Attend one of two identical sessions at 10am and 12pm. Visit the Teach Portsmouth website and get your free ticket today! www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/TA
PEP DHT/AHT conference |
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To support the development of deputy and assistant headteachers across the Portsmouth Education Partnership, plus succession planning in Portsmouth, the next half day conference has been planned for the morning of Wednesday 18 June 2025.
Please can all school leaders alert their senior staff to this and where possible release them to attend. Previous conferences have been well attended and the opportunity to network, much appreciated.
The conference agenda can be viewed here.
Cyber security webinars for parents/carers |
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Parents and carers are invited to join an engaging and informative Cyber Security training presentation from the Thames Valley Police Cyber Protect team. The sessions will share easy-to-implement tips for parents/carers regarding theirs and their family's online behaviours and internet-enabled device usage.
This session covers key topics, including:
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Emails and mobile phones: The art of spotting a scam – lots of hints and tips to share with your children around phishing and other scams.
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Social media safety: The risks around social engineering, disinformation, AI, privacy and hacked accounts.
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Gaming: Understand what the risks are to young people when gaming, particularly online, and discover ways to monitor and restrict usage.
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Password mastery and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Helping you and your family to secure your accounts following best practice.
Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2025 |
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Hive Portsmouth is excited to announce that nominations are open for the 2025 Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards. This year's event will be bigger and better than ever before, and the award ceremony will be held at The Kings Theatre. This event is one of a kind and celebrates the amazing and essential work that volunteers do every day in Portsmouth.
Categories include:
- Individual volunteer
- Group - team of volunteers
- Young volunteer (under 25 years old)
- Trustee/committee member
- Business - community giving
Use the online form to nominate that special individual, group, or organisation that has made a difference to your life or the lives of others by volunteering. Nominations close at midday on Monday 12 May 2025.
If you have any questions, please email volunteering@hiveportsmouth.org.uk.
Can you offer Freya and Noah a fresh start? |
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We’re currently appealing for a new caring foster home for a brother and sister in our care.
13-year-old Freya and 10-year-old Noah*, who both have a great sense of humour and enjoy spending time with friends, need a foster home which will enable them to stay together.
Due to the national crisis in foster care, we've not yet been able to find a foster carer in the city or the immediate surrounding area with the time and large enough house to offer Freya and Noah a long-term home.
So, we are asking for new potential carers, or those currently with other fostering agencies, to consider stepping forward to provide these two young siblings with a loving home.
If you think you could give Freya and Noah the care and love they deserve?
*Names have been changed and library images used to protect privacy.
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