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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.
Inclusion
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:
- Thursday 13 November 2025 - 11am to 12pm
- Wednesday 26 November 2025 - 1.30pm to 2.30pm
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 18 November 2025 - 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Thursday 4 December 2025 - 9.30am to 12.30pm
Return to School document |
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The Return to school planning document aligns with our citywide commitment to relational and restorative practice in our schools.
In 2024, School attendance: the tip of the iceberg was shared with all schools. This document provides detailed insight into the many factors that can impact school attendance and explores a number of evidence-based approaches to improve it.
Following this guidance we are pleased to share the 'Return to school planning document', co-produced by Jonathan Swales (Supervisor - Wellbeing in Education Team - Early Help), Fran Shaul (Supporting families manager, PCC), Neil Stevenson (Attendance, Admissions, Exclusions and Reintegration Service Manager) and Kezia Crichton (Clinical team lead for the Mental Health Support Team). This document was produced to be used alongside the Portsmouth 'School attendance: the tip of the iceberg’ guidance for schools and is intended to be an easy to use tool that can be used by anyone working with a family where school attendance is an issue.
We hope that this document brings the guidance to life in the form of a practical tool for schools. The document has been designed specifically to support schools to have robust conversations about the barriers to attendance, to make plans around addressing the child’s needs, whilst also holding relationships at the very centre.
For training on how to use the document, schools can contact Hannah Youell at Hannah.Youell@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Transforming social care newsletter - 3-minute read |
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Portsmouth Children’s Social Care Partnership (PSCP) is delighted to share with you the inaugural edition of the Transforming Social Care newsletter.
Portsmouth Children’s Social Care is embarking on a period of positive change. This newsletter is designed to keep you informed about what’s happening, why it’s happening, the approach we’re taking, and what’s coming next.
You can expect to receive these updates every three months, with further insights and developments as we move forward together.
Support for Royal Navy and Royal Marines families |
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Home-Start Portsmouth are working in partnership with the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity to provide confidential support and care to Royal Navy and Royal Marines families whilst they navigate the military lifestyle.
Home-Start offer home visiting support to any Royal Navy or Royal Marines family with at least one child aged 10 and under, where a trained volunteer will visit a family once a week to support them in whichever way they need. The volunteers are overseen by expert help from our coordinators.
Home-Start also offer the Nurturing Programme, which is a 10 week parenting group which empowers parents to build on positive relationships, this course includes a free creche for under 5s.
Finally, Home-Start run a Stay and Play group where parents and carers can meet other RNRM parents in a friendly, social atmosphere. This runs on a Tuesday at the Phoenix Community Centre on Salerno Road, Hilsea. PO2 9PP.
The Wellbeing Club Podcast |
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The Council for Social Responsibility (CSR) and #BeeWell have joined together to support young people to create and deliver their own podcast that focuses on wellbeing.
'The Wellbeing Club' is for young people by young people, and they are looking for secondary students from Portsmouth to join the club and record more episodes.
A flyer with more details can be downloaded here. For further information, interested pupils can contact Siobhan at CSR at siobhan.butt@portsmouth.anglican.org.
Mental Health Leads Forum |
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Portsmouth Mental Health Support Team (MHST) invites all educational settings to this year's first instalment of the Mental Health Forum on Tuesday 11 November 2025, 3.30pm - 5pm at Admiral Lord Nelson School. The forum offers a unique opportunity for education professionals to come together to explore mental health best practices. It also gives time to discuss shared challenges.
Webinar: Improving school attendance for children with chronic fatigue |
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Join Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for a training session on helping improve school attendance for children with chronic fatigue. The session will take place on Thursday 13 November 2025, 3.45pm - 4.15pm via Teams and everyone in the school is welcome to attend.
If you have children in school:
- Who have a diagnosis of chronic fatigue
- Who struggle staying awake
- Who often miss lessons
- Where your usual support is not enough
We want to help:
- Support these children to get back to school and stay in school
- Improve your understanding of the condition
- Share what other education settings have told us helps
- Answer any of your questions
For more information, please contact Rachel Burden at rachel.burden@nhs.net.
Mental health services join forces for special event |
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Portsmouth’s first community event led by local mental health services in partnership with community organisations across the city arrives on 16 February from 9am - 5pm at Priory School.
This special event is designed to make mental health services more accessible to young people and their families, while also providing valuable information to those who support them.
What to expect:
- A full programme of workshops and presentations throughout the day
- Opportunities to connect with professionals and community partners
- Resources and guidance for parents, carers, and young people
Whether you're a parent, carer, or someone working with young people, this event is for you.
School improvement
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 Wednesday 19 November 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 Wednesday 19 November 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
Secure final space at Teach Portsmouth Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair |
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With strong interest from schools and training providers across the city, this is your last chance to showcase your vacancies, connect with motivated job seekers, and promote pathways into education careers.
Don’t miss out on being part of an event that's connecting people with jobs and training. If you would like to exhibit at the event, please email: teachportsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and a member of the team will be in contact.
Understanding service-connected learners |
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Schools wishing to deepen staff understanding of the needs of service-connected people and service children can request a free in-school workshop linked to the We See You initiative (University of Portsmouth) and the work of the SCiP Alliance.
The session explores the educational impact of mobility, deployment and transition, offering practical strategies for inclusion and use of the Thriving Lives Toolkit.
To arrange a workshop or find out more, contact David Mather, We See You Academic Lead, University of Portsmouth, at david.mather@port.ac.uk.
Update from Portsmouth City of Languages |
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We’re pleased to share the recording of our recent webinar, “Where can languages take me? hosted by Portsmouth City of Languages on 16 October. If you missed the live session or would like to share it with students, you can now watch it on Vimeo.
Although the session was designed for KS3 learners, the second and third speakers may also be of interest to older KS2 pupils.
We’ve also attached a short update covering local and national developments in languages education.
Highlights include:
- GCHQ National Language Competition
- NCLE's Languages Education Online – how to sign up and what’s in store
- Institut Français' Video Pop Star Competition
- WolloW: World of Languages, Languages of the World
- MOOC on Future Learn: Challenge, creativity and empathy: Skills for primary language teaching
- Progression in Primary Languages newsletter
- Information about Leeds, City of Languages and Careers in Languages webinar
- British Council webinars on applying for the International Schools Award
- Publications of interest on current languages education issues
We hope you find these resources useful and inspiring. Please feel free to share them with colleagues and students.
Celebrating Supported Lodgings Week |
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Supported Lodgings provides accommodation and support to young people taking their first steps into independence, including those leaving our care.
Supported Lodgings carer Helen believes it's a brilliant option for people who want to make a difference but may not be able to commit to full-time fostering:
“There are so many young people who really need that support. It’s lovely having someone else around the house; celebrating their achievements and helping them build confidence. It's incredibly fulfilling.”
If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and some life experience, and enjoy spending time with young people, you could be a Supported Lodgings carer.
Why not join us at our drop-in event this Supported Lodgings Week (9-16 November) to discover more and have any queries answered?
Our experienced team and one of our carers will be on hand at The Greenhouse Community Hub in Victoria Park on Thursday 13 November between 12-2pm and 6-7pm.
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