Free Breakfast Clubs update

Help shape future support and resources by completing the Department for Education survey by Friday 17 July. 

The Department for Education is continuing to expand support for free breakfast clubs, with over 1,250 schools already delivering provision and seeing positive benefits for pupils and families.

Following the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act (2026), all schools with primary-aged pupils will be required to offer a free breakfast club, with a phased rollout planned across 2027–2028 alongside practical support and guidance.

Schools not yet part of the programme are encouraged to complete the Department for Education survey by 17 July to help shape future support and resources.

Further information and resources about free breakfast clubs can be found on the portal. 

Additional and Alternative Provision update

Portsmouth has a 4-Tier model for additional and alternative provision represented in this image.

Tier 3 quality assurance update
Since July 2024, Portsmouth City Council (PCC) has introduced a two-stage quality assurance process for Tier 3 providers. So far, 17 providers have been awarded assured status with a further 30 providers having submitted applications. The process is led by the AP Commissioning Manager, with input from safeguarding and health and safety, and decisions are made at a half-termly Quality Assurance Board against PCC’s minimum standards.

All assured providers are listed on the Alternative Provision Directory - Portsmouth Education Partnership. Schools are strongly encouraged to commission PCC-assured providers only.

Secondary schools
Secondary school strategic and operational leads have recently received a poll seeking feedback on which providers the local authority should prioritise for quality assurance. If your school has not yet responded, please email APCommissioning@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for a link as the deadline for completing the poll is Monday 29 June.

Primary schools
A similar poll will be issued shortly to primary school representatives, as it is important that we understand which providers primary schools would like to be prioritised. Schools are encouraged to contact Helena Kelsey at helena.kelsey@portsmouthcc.gov.uk directly to identify any providers they would like the local authority to prioritise.

Commissioning Tier 3 provision – what schools need to do:

• View assurance as a point-in-time check (similar to a car MOT) .These should not  replace your own checks
• Carry out your own due diligence to ensure the provider keeps children safe and delivers high-quality education
• Request further information if needed by emailing APCommissioning@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to access the local authority’s assessment documentation for PCC-assured providers
• Meet statutory responsibilities by ensuring compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Ensure alignment with the Ofsted School Inspection Framework when commissioning provision
• Get support or ask questions by contacting Helena Kelsey, AP Commissioning Manager at helena.kelsey@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Refer fathers to support with Dadzclub

A new Dadzclub Interagency Referral Form is now available to help professionals connect fathers and male caregivers with the right support. The form allows you to share key information about a dad’s circumstances, highlight any support or safeguarding needs, and indicate which Dadzclub services may be suitable. With consent, the Dadzclub team will review the referral and contact the father directly.

Dadzclub offers a range of support, including:

• Peer and one-to-one support
• Stay and play sessions
• Wellbeing activities
• Antenatal support
• Targeted support for young dads

Fathers and male caregivers can sometimes be overlooked when support is offered to families. A simple referral can help build confidence, strengthen relationships, and connect dads to a supportive community.

For more information or to discuss a referral, email hello@dadzclub.com.

Share with parents/carers - sensory processing in the Early Years 

Parents/carers are invited to join this online session on Thursday 2 July 2026 to learn about sensory processing and practical ways to support their child. This session is for parents and carers of children in the early years (typically babies to age 5).

What they will learn:

• What sensory processing is and why it matters
• Different sensory processing differences
• How to create supportive learning environments
• When to seek extra support and where to go

Places can be booked via this Eventbrite link

Further information, please email eysend@ncb.org.uk

Share in your newsletters and socials.

We’re offering a free lead check for schools and nurseries in the Portsmouth area to help protect children’s health and ensure safe, high-quality drinking water.

Although water at its source and within the mains is virtually free of lead, some properties may still contain lead pipework. We want to help you better understand your water quality and support you in becoming lead-free.

Taking part is simple: We’ll arrange a convenient time to visit and take a sample from the main taps in your building for testing in our laboratory.

If we do find lead, we will:

• Help you take immediate steps to reduce levels
• Investigate further and replace any lead pipework up to the first internal tap, free of charge
• Work with you to arrange this at a time that suits you
• Offer advice and potential support for any internal pipework, helping you plan longer-term improvements if needed

To arrange your visit or find out more email: Ben.Barnes@Portsmouthwater.co.uk or call 07345 487222

Flyer attached here.

Department for Education South East Prevent newsletter – June 2026

Key information for the end of the summer term, including new resources and training to support next year’s planning, alongside important reminders on Prevent referrals and online safety ahead of the summer holidays.

View the newsletter

Request your Counter Terrorism Local Profile

The Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP) provides a local overview of threat, risk and vulnerability linked to terrorism and extremism, helping schools to inform their Prevent risk assessments and action plans.

This has been shared directly with headteachers. However, if your school would like a copy, please contact charlie.pericleous@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Book your space at the Up2U Reducing Parental Conflict training

Practitioners are invited to attend this one‑day training to help them understand, identify and assess parental conflict, and develop the skills to support, challenge and create change with families. All resources and tools are included. 

The training covers three modules:

• Understanding and recognising parental conflict (pre‑birth to 19)
• Assessment of parental conflict – impact and need
• Skills to support, challenge and change in families with parental conflict 

Book your space here.

Further Family Practice training can be booked via the PSCP website: