Yesterday the schools white paper and a corresponding consultation has set out Government policy proposals with respect to SEND reform, most of which are expected to be enacted from 2029. There are some useful summaries on Schools Week.

As was shared at headteacher briefings, have already shared with schools our ongoing consultation around the shape of the Local Inclusion Support Offer from September. The ambition around supportive inclusive mainstream practice was clearly stated in the White Paper and we are keen that we ensure continuity of service/provision as the Change Programme ends in September.

We will, in due course, provide dates for leaders to engage with us to engage more closely in the consultation work around this.

We are aware that West Mercia Police Vulnerability Hub have contacted all educational settings who have signed up to Operation Encompass. The communication from the Police is based on the National Guidance on implementing Operation Encompass for Educational Settings, which we have asked all schools and settings to ensure they are aware of and following since the local Operation Encompass arrangements changed at the beginning of the academic year (and was previously communicated in Education Update - 16th September).

The National Guidance refers to Designated Safeguarding Leads requiring “Level 3” training. This use of levels in the national guidance is confusing as there are no national safeguarding training levels and we will raise this issue with the Police to request a review of the national guidance.

In the meantime and to clarify, Shropshire’s training expectations for School Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads who receive Operation Encompass notifications are:

• that they receive training that is compliant with Keeping Children Safe in Education Annex C (Schools) and/or The Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (where they have Early Years provision), which should also include awareness of the local safeguarding arrangements.  The Local Safeguarding in Education Training Offer provided by the Local Authority complies with these requirements. Please see our training statement (here) for other ways in which you can meet these requirements if you do not access the Local Authority offer above.
• That they complete Operation Encompass Key Adult Training (online and free).

We will ensure that our training statement is updated to ensure that the above is made clear when we review it in preparation for the academic year 26/27 (given that we are asking schools to review their compliance with the current version as part of the current Statutory Safeguarding Audit 25/26).

Many thanks to all those settings that have completed and submitted the online Section 11 Audit. 

A gentle reminder that the deadline is in 5 weeks time - 27th March 2026.  

If you require any assistance in accessing or completing the audit, please do not hesitate to access the support of our team. Further information as to the support available to you to complete the audit can be viewed at: Safeguarding Audits | Shropshire Learning Gateway

If you would like additional support from us in ensuring that your safeguarding arrangements are legally compliant and in line with our local safeguarding arrangements, we also offer the following services on a traded basis (please click the links below to find out more):

• Safeguarding in Education Training
• Safeguarding Consultancies

We look forward to receiving your completed audit.

Payroll Deadline/s

Please be reminded that the monthly payroll deadline is 9^th of the month regardless of which day of the week this falls on.  All Schools are encouraged to prioritise payroll related tasks and submit in advance of the deadline where possible to ensure that any actions needed as a consequence are able to be done e.g. the issuing of the contract of employment in advance of a start date.

All relevant Schools based staff need to ensure that any actions linked to staffing changes are submitted and authorised in advance of the above deadline (if this is applicable) to ensure staff are paid correctly.  Schools based staff should check their ERP notifications to ensure that submissions have not been rejected due to errors – rejected forms will need to be resubmitted and authorised in line with the above deadlines.

Payroll are unable to accept any work or tasks authorised, requested or submitted after the monthly deadline date, nor will they be responsible for any issues arising due to the result of late work being received within the Payroll team.

Schools based staff should also ensure that any staff leaving employment with Shropshire Council are aware that payslips and P60’s should be accessed (and printed if needed) in advance of their confirmed leave date.

Late/Backdated Work

Payroll continue to receive a high volume of late or backdated notifications - this is not acceptable.

Over the last 3 months there have been 186 instances of late or backdated work being received for Schools. These have all meant that staff were underpaid or overpaid and required the team to re-work payroll records which in turn impact Pension records and contributions paid by both the employee and employer and also HMRC employee and employer tax records.

Payroll cannot just process a late request/raise an urgent payment - this can compromise the whole payroll putting payment to over 2,000 employees at risk.

Whilst it may seem to others outside of Payroll that there is time to "add someone to the payroll" or 'just make a change' after the deadline there are strict controlled processes that have to be undertaken, manual checks that take place and a number of calculations before a BACS file is sent (with contingency time in case it fails) to the bank.

Payroll deadlines need to be met - this is getting the basics right and there will be consequences for Schools not complying if late work is received.  Therefore effective from 1^st March, any payroll instruction that is sent in late or is backdated (related to a prior month) will incur a £300 charge, that will be applied to the School cost centre with no authorisation needed.

As we approach the end of this financial year there will be a number of employees on FTC's or temporary arrangements - these must be dealt with now, not during March or April when it's too late.  My ask is that you review your staffing and employee records and ensure that any March/April changes are processed now, or at the very latest by March’s payroll deadline, 9^th March.  Failure to extend FTC’s past 31^st March by the March payroll deadline will result in staff not being paid in April.

Kind Regards, Maria Evans, (pronouns: she/her/hers), HR Admin & Payroll Manager - Enabling Services

maria.evans@shropshire.gov.uk

We are pleased to announce that theme of our Schools/Colleges Spring Safeguarding Leads Network this term will be Artificial Intelligence and Safeguarding.

We have several local and national speakers  (with opportunities for Q&A from attendees) including:

• Richard Fitwarine-Smith (AmazingICT): Use of AI in education
• Nicki Watts (Director of AI Use, on behalf of AI youth: recommended by the National Working Group): children's usage of AI Virtual characters
• George Davies (Shropshire's Together Reducing and Ending Exploitation in Shropshire: TREES Team): risks associated with AI we’re seeing locally
• West Mercia Police Exploitation and Vulnerability Trainers (Prevention Team): AI and Online Safety for parents and educators
• Cyber Crime Unit Prevent and Prepare Officers: AI risks associated with school cyber security
• Learning and Skills Teams relevant Safeguarding Updates.

If Safeguarding Leads have not already booked on to this pre-funded event, please do so at Schools/Colleges Safeguarding Leads Spring Network Tickets, Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Education Quality and Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding Team Information and Services | Shropshire Learning Gateway

You’re invited to attend this upcoming online Domestic Abuse Surgery—an optional drop-in session hosted by a representative from Shropshire Council’s Domestic Abuse Prevention Team. This DA surgery is a chance for professionals to receive advice and guidance on domestic abuse-related cases.

If you have any cases you'd like to discuss, feel free to join the session (using the link below). Please note that other professionals may also be attending.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/37875655293434?p=1EmsotDElBMqxkJNM6

Meeting ID: 378 756 552 934 34

Passcode: Qn365cB2

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to offer several webinar training sessions from April-June 2026. These free, 90-minute learning events are open to all frontline practitioners and managers who work with adults, children, and families.

Interactive online webinar

We will be sharing the learning from two family case reviews in Shropshire where there were significant harm and deaths. These are the first SSCP reviews which involve parents and children. For each of the families a joint Safeguarding Adult Review, and Child Safeguarding Practice Review was undertaken. The focus will be hearing and reflecting on the learning, to increase awareness and knowledge, and to understand how everyone can make a different in their everyday practice.

By working together and sharing information across adult and children's services, we can better protect families and prevent future harm.

Please note that the In-Person event is now full, however, there are several Online Webinars to chose from.

Please select the date and time that suits you from the list below to be redirected a registration page for this online event.

Online Webinars – 90 minutes

April 2026

• Tuesday 21st April 2026 11.00-12.30 Webinar
• Tuesday 21st April 2026 18.30-20.00
• Wednesday 29th April 12.00-13.30

May 2026

• Wednesday 6th May 19.00-20.30
• Thursday 7th May 9.30-11.00
• Wednesday 13th May 12.30-14.00
• Monday 18th May 10.00-11.30  

June 2026

• Thursday 18th June 11.00-12.30  

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the SSCP Business Unit: sscpbusinessunit@shropshire.gov.uk

When using the SEND portal, please upload your SEND documents to your own, secure, school IT systems and delete them from the SEND Portal.

There are currently a large amount of files on the SEND Portal that should have been uploaded by schools. The SEND portal is not intended to be a SharePoint for storage, it is only for secure exchange of information. 

We appreciate your support with this,

Sarah Court, Senior EQA

We are looking for headteachers and SENCOs to serve on our GSP panels. You will need to be free one Thursday per month. If there are sufficient attendees for the panel to be quorate, then you will only be required for morning or afternoon. Please complete the following form if you are interested.

GSP Panel - Headteacher and SENCO representation – Fill in form

Many thanks, Sarah Court, Senior EQA

Key stage 2

• Action: complete pupil registration by Friday 6 March
• Action: apply for early opening by Friday 6 March
• Action: apply for compensatory marks for spelling by Monday 20 April
• Action: apply for additional time – open until Thursday 21 May
• Action: apply for a timetable variation – open until Thursday 21 May
• Action: apply for access to adaptable modified large print test papers – open until Thursday 21 May
• Information: KS2 teacher assessment data collection – technical specification published on Thursday 12 February

Are you ready to Go All In for World Book Day? Read on to find ways you can get involved. Plus, critical literacy insights, upcoming events and a reminder to take part in our Annual Literacy Survey. 

Great for pupils aged 8 to 12 (Years 4, 5, 6 and 7, P5, P6, P7 and S1)

Ignite a love of reading in your classroom with our interactive, star-studded quiz, that includes something for everyone, whether or not they are already big fans of football or reading.

The dynamic and free online event will feature two rounds of questions (one football-themed, one reading-themed) pitched by your footballing heroes and a crew of much-loved authors. It's an inspiring and energising way to kick-off World Book Day in your classroom. 

Sign up now! ›

Alison Rae, Early Years Advisor

From 1 April 2026, our local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will move to a new service model across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

The model was shaped by extensive feedback from families, young people and professionals during the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin-led engagement in 2025 and will be delivered by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), replacing the current BeeU model.

The new model responds to the changing local needs of children and young people aged 0-25 experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties. It prioritises easier access, earlier support and more joined-up care to ensure the right help is available at the right time. It also seeks to reduce inequalities in access, outcomes and experience, especially for vulnerable groups, including children in care and those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

What stays the same

If a child or young person already receives support from BeeU, their care continues. They do not need to opt in or be re-referred.

What is changing

• One front door for information and referrals, guiding people to the right support
• Earlier help and support while waiting
• Joined‑up care so families don’t repeat their story
• Support from 0–25, with planned moves into adult services
• Fair access and targeted support for vulnerable groups
• An improved digital offer that provides greater choice to children, young people and families in how to access the support they need
• An enhanced pathway to more effectively meet the needs of vulnerable children will be developed later this year in partnership with Local Authorities as part of the ongoing transformation of the service

Autism and ADHD (Neurodevelopmental pathway)

The service will continue to improve its offer of assessment and treatment where required for children and young people who have needs relates to Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ensuring ongoing risks are managed even if therapy is hard to engage with. Crisis pathways will remain available if someone is at immediate risk.

Eating difficulties and eating disorders

Greater community-based support will be available for children and young people experiencing eating difficulties and disorders, with early help, new Day Hospital and Intensive Support at home models of care and medical monitoring in place to keep young service users safe.

Support in Schools

Mental Health Support Teams will continue to expand across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin’s schools, offering early intervention for children and young people (aged 5-16/18) in educational settings, focusing on mild to moderate mental health issues, and supporting school staff and parents/ carers. The service will seek to expand to all schools in the county by 2030.

Transitions and follow-up

Young people will be supported in their move to adult mental health services if this is required. Planning for this starts around age 16 and a transition plan will be agreed with the young person, with care and support able to restart quickly and easily if required. Where needed, support can be offered to young people up to age 25.

Supporting local children, young people and families to thrive

The new model will incorporate I-THRIVE, a national needs-led and person-centred framework designed to transform mental health services for children and young people aged 0-25, and their families, with a focus on shared decision-making and empowerment. Support will be targeted in the following ways:

Getting advice - including self-help resources for children, young people and families (online and in-person), 24/7 telephone and online advice and support for children, young people and families, and dedicated mental health support based in local communities, including social prescribing for children and young people.

Getting help – offering tailored support for children, young people and families who may be more vulnerable, a range of group and one-to-one support in community settings, and regular wellbeing check-ins.

Getting more help – including specialist assessment and support for children and young people who have had difficult or frightening experiences in childhood and relationship-based trauma, a range of specialist therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy), and mental health practitioners working within Family Connect/ COMPASS, Family Safeguarding and Children in Care.

Getting priority support – including 24/7 urgent mental health support, ongoing intensive support when mental health needs are severe and continuous, and follow-up assessment following a crisis.

How to get help (from 1 April 2026)

• Single front door: accessible via telephone, email and online – NB: these are in the process of being finalised and will be shared in a further update prior to launch
• Urgent advice: NHS 111, select the mental health option
• Emergency/ immediate danger: 999

Until 1 April 2026, please continue to contact the existing BeeU service on 0300 124 0093.

Three-year transformation – putting co-production at the centre

The new service model will continue to evolve over the next three years. Co-production will be at the centre of this transformation, with opportunities for children, young people, families and professionals to get involved. MPFT will also work closely with NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, local authorities, schools and VCSE partners to ensure the new service continues to reflect local priorities and lived experiences of families in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

What we are asking of you

• Update local websites and newsletters with the new link on 1 April
• Signpost families to FAQs and a family-friendly summary of the changes taking place available via New Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (mpft.nhs.uk)
• Send queries to involvement@mpft.nhs.uk

We look forward to updating you further prior to the launch of the new service. In the meantime, should you wish to get involved please email involvement@mpft.nhs.uk

Shropshire SENDIASS has Support by School Stage – ‘what to ask school now’. These are quick prompts families can use to prepare for meetings, capture their child’s voice, and agree practical next steps with school.

Stages covered:

Year 6→7 transition, Year 8: mid‑secondary review, and Years 10–11: exam years.

Topics include access arrangements, mocks, EBSA and reintegration, and lawful part‑time timetables. Please add the link to your SEN page, transition packs, Y10–11 exam information, and attendance/reintegration communications. https://www.shropshiresendiass.com/supportbyschoolstage

Suggested Copy for your school newsletter

Support by School Stage – quick prompts to help you prepare for meetings, capture your child’s voice, and agree next steps. For Y6→7 transition, Y8 mid‑secondary, and Y10–11 exam years (access arrangements, mocks, EBSA, reintegration, lawful part‑time timetables). Visit: https://www.shropshiresendiass.com/supportbyschoolstage