Local Offer Live – the big SEND activity event at Mountbatten Centre on 17 June from 2pm to 7pm

Local Offer Live is a free, fun‑filled event packed with exhibitors, workshops and activities. Join us at the Mountbatten Centre on 17 June from 2pm to 7pm for an afternoon offering advice and support for children and young people with SEND.

Over 30 exhibitors will be there, showcasing inclusive summer activities as well as offering advice and signposting. These include PPV, the Neurodiversity Team, Portsmouth SENDIASS, Portsmouth Carers Centre, and The Mental Health Hub.

Families can:

• Join workshops, including practical sessions on coping with anxiety and a family session with Kooth on managing mental health
• Take part in free activities such as multisports, dance, arts and crafts to explore what children and young people might enjoy over the summer

Here is the programme for the event. 

SESLIP event celebrates the work of children and young people on 24 June

South East Sector Improvement Programme (SESLIP) is hosting a regional celebration event on 24 June from 10am to 3pm at Reading Football Centre. A fully accessible venue with a quiet room available. Lunch and refreshments provided. 

The event celebrates the children and young people who have taken forward work to ensure that the voice of children and young people with SEND is heard.

Children and young people themselves will contribute to the day and there will be opportunity to hear what has been happening regionally to support, enable and empower CYP to be equal partners in coproducing the way forward, especially around SEND reform.

All are welcome at this event, including LA staff (from all services), health colleagues, PCFs, schools and colleges, independent organisations, DfE and, of course, children and young people themselves. If you have an interest in this area and want to be part of this work, come along!

There is a flyer attached which we would encourage you to share widely. You can sign up using the QR code above. For further information, please email Sonia Dayal at sonia.dayal@sdsa.net

Please join us in celebrating the work of children and young people and find out how you can support or be involved in this work going forward. 

Complete survey on the SEND Workforce Training page

The SEND Workforce Development Group would value your feedback on the Portsmouth Local Offer SEND Workforce Training page by Friday 26 June.

The survey will ensure the page is useful, accessible and meets the training needs of those working with children and young people.

The survey should take no more than 5–10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. We are keen to hear from both those who are familiar with, and have used, the page, as well as those who may not yet have engaged with it, so we can better understand awareness and potential areas for development. 

We would very much welcome any additional comments you may wish to share within the survey, providing this detail is entirely optional.

Share MHST updates with professionals and school community

MHST newsletter
This is the final newsletter for this academic year reflecting on the year and looking ahead to next academic year. MHST newsletter

Find out more about an exciting new resource for professionals 

Will you be attending our Mental Health Forum?
Tuesday 30 June 15:30-17:00.
Join us for our next meeting to hear about exciting new projects and planning for the new academic year. Join us here. 

Share summer workshops with parents and young people
MHST will be hosting workshops throughout the summer holidays to help support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing. The workshops will focus on understanding different elements of mental health and wellbeing, and learning CBT based skills to help us manage how we feel.

The workshops will be held once a week throughout summer, on different dates, times and locations. Please find attached an advertising poster to promote in school. Or use the QR code to sign up.

Let’s make June a month of saying thank you

Nominations have opened for the Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2026. These awards celebrate the incredible contribution volunteers make across our city every day.

Volunteers give their time, energy and kindness to support others and strengthen our communities. This is your chance to recognise and thank them. Do you know someone who deserves recognition? We would love to hear about the inspiring volunteers you know.
You can nominate an individual, group, or organisation. Every nomination is acknowledged

Award categories include:

• Volunteer of the Year
• Hidden Gem (Behind the Scenes)
• Trustee / Leadership
• New Volunteer / Group
• 100 Hours Award
• Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Education and Mentoring
• Community Award

Portsmouth City Council have fully launched an Assistive Technology Lending Library (ATLL), hosted at City of Portsmouth College, Highbury Campus

The ATLL is designed to support inclusive practice in mainstream education settings by providing access to a wide range of assistive technologies for trial in real classroom contexts. This enables staff to evaluate the impact of assistive technology as part of ordinarily available provision before making investment decisions.

The ATLL is now open for bookings. You can view the full catalogue and register via the website.

Once registered:
• Accounts will be reviewed and authorised by the Inclusion Hub team
• Users will receive confirmation when they are able to log in
• You can then browse, request and manage loans directly through the platform
• Equipment is collected from and returned to the City of Portsmouth College Highbury Campus as per the booking times

As part of the pilot, schools are asked to provide feedback on the technology. This helps build the evidence base for effective use of assistive technology and supports ongoing development of the library. A digital feedback form will be shared once equipment has been returned.

For any enquiries, please contact the Inclusion Hub at inclusionhub@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Step into learning open afternoon 

An open afternoon at The Community Learning Service on Wednesday 17 June is ideal for anyone thinking about becoming a teaching assistant or moving into a support role in education. It’s also a great opportunity for people who want to return to work, build confidence, and explore learning and career options.

Go along to the The Learning Place to discover what’s on offer in a friendly and supportive environment.

• Enjoy a short presentation about available workshops and courses
• Find out about progression pathways and where learning could lead
• Meet friendly tutors and ask questions
• Sign up for courses or join waiting lists

Event details:
Wednesday 17 June, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
The Learning Place, 6 Derby Road, North End, PO2 8HH

How to book
To book a place, call (023) 92 621860 or email thelearningplace@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Share flyer with parents, carers, and your wider school community - flyer

Take part in a fully funded research trial on early oral language for primary schools

Primary schools are invited to take part in a fully funded research trial on early oral language, starting in September 2026. With universal oral language highlighted in the new SEND Reform paper, this is a valuable opportunity to strengthen Reception provision. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) trial will assess OxEd Whole Class – a universal oral language enrichment programme for Reception pupils.

Why take part?
Evidence-based, whole-class programme to support language and communication

• Fully funded, with financial incentives of £400–£800 per class
• CPD-accredited training and expert support
• Practical, teacher-led delivery designed for EYFS

In the webinar you will learn:

• What participation is involved and what schools receive
• How OxEd Whole Class compares to and complements NELI
• A case study from Nichola Bailey, EYFS Lead at St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy

Upcoming webinars
10 June from 12.15–1pm
11 June from 6–6.45pm

If you can’t attend live, register to receive the recording.

City of Languages June update

Find out about previous and upcoming meetings in the City of Languages June update.

Complete questionnaire
Did you attend the Solent Language Network And ALL Portsmouth Primary Hub on 3 June? Please help planning for future meetings by scanning the QR code and completing the questionnaire.

Solent Languages Conference
Wednesday 8 July at Admiral Lord Nelson School. This is a completely free event, open to language professionals from across the area. Places are limited. Please sign up here.

Primary Language Show
The theme this year is The Primary Language Journey. A call for proposals is here. The deadline is Monday 6 July.

European Day of Languages 2026 writing competition
This year’s theme is “A few words that mean so much”. Pupils are invited to create a piece of writing in a language they are learning, exploring how carefully chosen words can make a difference to someone who reads them. Find out more here

Save the date!
Languages at work day on Monday 5 October hosted by Admiral Lord Nelson School. More details to follow.