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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T160000
DTSTAMP:20261012T092108Z
CREATED:20261012T092105Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T092108Z
UID:6617-1793624400-1793635200@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Managing Allegations: Working Effectively with the LADO
DESCRIPTION:Overview \n\n\n\nManaging allegations and safeguarding concerns about adults working with children requires a clear understanding of the LADO process\, organisational responsibilities and the actions that should be taken when a concern first arises. \n\n\n\nThis live online seminar provides a practical exploration of how allegations and concerns about adults working with children should be recognised\, considered and managed. Participants will explore when the allegations process may apply\, when consultation with or referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) may be required\, and how organisations can work effectively with the LADO and other agencies throughout the process. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 2nd November\, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\nThe seminar considers the responsibilities of employers and organisations alongside the role of the LADO\, helping participants understand how to respond appropriately while protecting children\, maintaining appropriate records and avoiding actions that could compromise safeguarding\, police or employment processes\, and combines safeguarding principles with practical insight drawn from experience of managing allegations and advising organisations working with children. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Content \n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the framework for managing allegations and safeguarding concerns involving adults who work or volunteer with children. Participants will consider the circumstances in which the allegations process may apply and how to distinguish situations requiring LADO involvement from other concerns that may need to be managed through different organisational processes. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine the initial response when an allegation or concern arises\, including immediate safeguarding considerations\, what information can appropriately be established at the outset\, recording requirements and the importance of avoiding unnecessary investigation before appropriate safeguarding advice has been obtained. \n\n\n\nThe role of the LADO will be explored in detail\, including consultation and referral\, the information organisations may need to provide\, how decisions are reached and how employers and safeguarding partners work together as concerns progress. Participants will also consider their own organisational responsibilities and the importance of clear communication and information sharing. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will examine how safeguarding processes interact with employment\, disciplinary and other organisational procedures. It will also consider professional boundaries and lower-level concerns\, including the importance of recording and reviewing information where individual incidents may contribute to a developing pattern of concern. \n\n\n\nThroughout the session\, attention will be given to maintaining a child-centred approach while ensuring that allegations are managed fairly\, proportionately and in accordance with appropriate safeguarding processes. \n\n\n\nPractice Application \n\n\n\nParticipants will work with realistic scenarios and case examples to consider how concerns should be managed from the point at which information first becomes known. \n\n\n\nThe scenarios will support participants to consider immediate safeguarding actions\, what information should and should not be gathered\, when LADO consultation or referral may be appropriate\, what information should be recorded and shared\, and who may need to be involved in subsequent decisions. \n\n\n\nCommon difficulties and mistakes in managing allegations will also be explored\, helping participants develop greater confidence in working effectively with the LADO and responding to concerns in a coordinated\, proportionate and child-focused way. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes \n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose of the allegations process and the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer.\n\n\n\nRecognise circumstances in which consultation with or referral to the LADO may be appropriate.\n\n\n\nUnderstand the responsibilities of employers and organisations when an allegation or safeguarding concern arises.\n\n\n\nIdentify appropriate immediate actions while avoiding steps that could compromise subsequent enquiries.\n\n\n\nUnderstand the importance of effective recording\, information sharing and communication throughout the process.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how safeguarding processes may interact with employment and disciplinary procedures.\n\n\n\nRecognise the significance of professional boundaries\, lower-level concerns and emerging patterns.\n\n\n\nWork more confidently and effectively with the LADO and other safeguarding partners when managing concerns about adults working with children.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience \n\n\n\nThis seminar is suitable for professionals who may receive\, respond to or oversee allegations and safeguarding concerns involving adults who work with children. This may include Registered Managers\, Deputy Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Designated Safeguarding Leads\, Service Managers\, fostering managers\, senior practitioners\, HR professionals and safeguarding leads. It is relevant to children’s homes\, supported accommodation\, fostering services and other organisations working with children and young people. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator \n\n\n\nPaul James is a qualified and registered social worker with more than 25 years of safeguarding experience. He currently works as a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for a local authority in the South East of England and is Co-Chair of a Regional LADO Network. \n\n\n\nPaul has worked extensively across schools\, fostering agencies\, children’s services\, local government and the private\, voluntary and independent sectors\, including large sports\, youth and faith organisations. He previously led the development of safeguarding practice in schools for a local authority and spent several years as a lead trainer for a Local Safeguarding Children Partnership. \n\n\n\nThroughout his career\, Paul has supported thousands of professionals and volunteers to strengthen their safeguarding knowledge\, skills and organisational safeguarding culture. His approach combines extensive safeguarding experience with practical case examples\, enabling complex and sensitive issues to be explored in an engaging\,
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/managing-allegations-working-effectively-with-the-lado/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Risk, Safety & Incidents,Safeguarding
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NOV26-LADO.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T094749Z
CREATED:20261012T093016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T094749Z
UID:6631-1794304800-1794315600@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Completing Ofsted Annex A: Supported Accommodation
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nCompleting Ofsted Annex A is an important part of the inspection process for Ofsted-registered Supported Accommodation providers. The information submitted helps inspectors understand the service\, the young people being supported\, staffing arrangements\, safeguarding practice and how the provider monitors the quality and impact of its provision. \n\n\n\nThis practical live online seminar explores how to approach the Annex A request confidently\, accurately and effectively. It focuses on understanding the information requested\, identifying relevant evidence and presenting a clear picture of how the service operates\, including the support provided to young people and the outcomes being achieved. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 10th November\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will consider common challenges when gathering and presenting information\, how to avoid incomplete or inconsistent submissions\, and how Annex A can be used as an opportunity to demonstrate effective management oversight and service development. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlso working with Children's Homes? Explore our dedicated Annex A seminar for Children's Homes\, taking place on the same day. View Annex A Children's Homes\n\n\n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar begins by exploring the purpose of Annex A within Ofsted’s inspection arrangements for Supported Accommodation and how inspectors may use the information provided to inform their understanding of the service and their inspection activity. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine the main areas of information that may be requested\, including service arrangements\, young people’s circumstances and needs\, safeguarding concerns\, incidents\, staffing\, management oversight and quality assurance. The session will consider how providers can identify reliable sources of information\, maintain accurate records and ensure that responses are consistent with other organisational documents and evidence. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to presenting information clearly and meaningfully\, rather than simply completing fields as an administrative exercise. Participants will consider how to explain patterns\, identify relevant developments and demonstrate that managers understand the strengths\, risks and areas for improvement within their services. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will also explore the practical challenges faced by providers operating multiple premises\, including how information is collected\, verified and consolidated across the service. Participants will consider the respective contributions of Registered Service Managers\, Nominated Individuals and other staff involved in preparing inspection information. \n\n\n\nThroughout the session\, the emphasis will be on completing Annex A accurately\, avoiding unsupported statements and ensuring that the information submitted reflects the actual experiences of young people and the quality of support provided. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will work through practical examples of Annex A information and consider how to prepare clear\, accurate and evidence-informed responses. \n\n\n\nUsing realistic Supported Accommodation scenarios\, participants will explore how to identify the information required\, locate supporting records\, check accuracy and recognise gaps or inconsistencies before submission. \n\n\n\nThe session will also consider how managers can interpret information about safeguarding\, incidents\, young people’s progress and service performance\, using this to demonstrate effective oversight and identify areas requiring further action. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to reflect on their own systems for collecting and reviewing information and consider practical improvements that can make future Annex A requests easier to complete. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose of Ofsted Annex A and its role within Supported Accommodation inspections.\n\n\n\nIdentify the main types of information and evidence that may be requested.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how to gather\, verify and organise relevant service information.\n\n\n\nRecognise common errors\, omissions and inconsistencies when completing Annex A.\n\n\n\nPresent information accurately and clearly\, supported by appropriate evidence.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how inspectors may use Annex A information to inform inspection activity.\n\n\n\nRecognise the importance of management oversight\, quality assurance and accurate recording.\n\n\n\nIdentify improvements to organisational systems that support inspection readiness and continuous service development.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is designed for professionals involved in the management\, oversight and quality assurance of Ofsted-registered Supported Accommodation services for 16- and 17-year-olds. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Registered Service Managers\, Nominated Individuals\, Responsible Individuals where applicable\, Deputy Managers\, Service Managers\, Quality Assurance Officers\, Compliance Managers and senior staff responsible for gathering\, reviewing or submitting information to Ofsted. \n\n\n\nIt is also suitable for providers preparing for their first inspection or seeking to improve their approach to subsequent inspections. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. \n\n\n\nHis professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, quality assurance\, compliance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel works with providers and management teams to strengthen regulatory understanding\, develop effective oversight systems and translate inspection expectations into practical approaches that improve service quality and outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nHis training combines operational experience\, regulatory knowledge and practical examples drawn from children’s social care settings.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/completing-ofsted-annex-a-supported-accommodation/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NOV26-ANNEXA-SA.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T170000
DTSTAMP:20261012T094720Z
CREATED:20261012T094718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T094720Z
UID:6636-1794319200-1794330000@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Completing Ofsted Annex A: Children's Homes
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nCompleting Ofsted Annex A is an important part of the inspection process for registered Children’s Homes. The information submitted helps inspectors understand the children living in the home\, their needs and experiences\, safeguarding arrangements\, significant incidents\, staffing and how the home monitors the quality of care and outcomes achieved. \n\n\n\nThis practical live online seminar explores how to complete Annex A confidently\, accurately and effectively. Participants will consider the information requested by Ofsted\, how to gather and verify relevant evidence\, and how to present a clear and meaningful picture of the home’s practice\, management oversight and children’s experiences. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 10th November\, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThe seminar also explores common difficulties when preparing Annex A\, how to avoid incomplete or inconsistent information\, and how managers can use the process to strengthen inspection readiness and continuous improvement. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlso working with Supported Accommodation? Explore our dedicated Annex A seminar for Supported Accommodation\, taking place on the same day. View Annex A Supported Accommodation\n\n\n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the purpose of Annex A within Ofsted’s inspection arrangements for Children’s Homes and how inspectors use submitted information to inform their understanding of the home\, identify areas for exploration and prepare for inspection activity. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine the main areas of information that may be requested\, including children’s circumstances\, placement arrangements\, safeguarding concerns\, missing episodes\, significant incidents\, education\, health\, staffing and management arrangements. The session will consider how managers can identify appropriate sources of information\, check accuracy and ensure that responses are consistent with children’s records\, monitoring reports and other relevant documentation. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to presenting information in a way that demonstrates understanding of the children living in the home\, their individual needs\, the care being provided and the progress they are making. Participants will consider how to provide meaningful information without relying on unsupported claims\, unnecessary detail or descriptions that do not reflect actual practice. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will also examine the relationship between Annex A\, internal monitoring and quality assurance arrangements\, including how information from incident reviews\, children’s records\, Regulation 44 visits and Regulation 45 quality of care reviews can support management understanding and inspection preparation. \n\n\n\nThroughout the session\, the focus will be on accurate completion\, effective management oversight and ensuring that the information provided reflects the lived experiences of children and the quality of care delivered. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will work through practical examples of Annex A information and consider how to prepare clear\, accurate and evidence-informed responses. \n\n\n\nUsing realistic Children’s Homes scenarios\, participants will explore how to gather relevant information\, identify appropriate supporting records\, recognise inconsistencies and decide how best to present information about children’s experiences\, safeguarding\, incidents and progress. \n\n\n\nThe session will also consider how managers can identify patterns\, explain significant developments and demonstrate that they understand both the strengths of the home and the areas where further improvement is needed. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to reflect on their own recording\, monitoring and quality assurance arrangements and identify practical steps to make future Annex A requests easier to complete. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose of Ofsted Annex A within Children’s Homes inspections.\n\n\n\nIdentify the main types of information and evidence that may be requested.\n\n\n\nGather\, verify and organise relevant information from children’s records and management systems.\n\n\n\nRecognise common errors\, omissions and inconsistencies when preparing Annex A.\n\n\n\nPresent information clearly\, accurately and with appropriate supporting evidence.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how inspectors may use Annex A to inform inspection activity.\n\n\n\nRecognise the relationship between Annex A\, management oversight and quality of care monitoring.\n\n\n\nIdentify improvements to recording and quality assurance systems that strengthen inspection readiness and continuous improvement.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is designed for professionals involved in the management\, oversight and quality assurance of Ofsted-registered Children’s Homes. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Deputy Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Operational Managers\, Service Managers\, Quality Assurance Officers\, Compliance Managers and senior staff responsible for gathering\, reviewing or submitting information to Ofsted. \n\n\n\nIt is also suitable for providers preparing for their first inspection or seeking to improve their approach to subsequent inspections. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. \n\n\n\nHis professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, quality assurance\, compliance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel works with providers and management teams to strengthen regulatory understanding\, develop effective oversight systems and translate inspection expectations into practical approaches that improve service quality and outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nHis training combines operational experience\, regulatory knowledge and practical examples drawn from children’s social care settings.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/completing-ofsted-annex-a-childrens-homes/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NOV26-ANNEXA-CH.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T095619Z
CREATED:20261012T095615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T095619Z
UID:6646-1794909600-1794920400@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Notifications of Serious Events: When\, What and How to Notify Ofsted
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nThe notification of serious events is a critical component of safeguarding\, accountability\, and regulatory compliance within children’s social care. Providers have a legal responsibility to notify Ofsted of certain incidents and events that affect the welfare\, protection\, or safety of children and young people. However\, uncertainty often exists regarding what constitutes a notifiable event\, when notifications should be submitted\, and how organisations can use serious incidents as opportunities for reflection\, learning\, and service improvement. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 17th November\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis practical and regulatory-focused seminar explores the requirements surrounding notifications to Ofsted across children’s homes\, supported accommodation\, and fostering services. Participants will develop confidence in identifying notifiable incidents\, completing accurate and timely notifications\, and embedding effective reporting systems that support safeguarding\, organisational learning\, and regulatory compliance. The course encourages professionals to view notifications not simply as a compliance task\, but as an important component of effective safeguarding and quality assurance practice. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThis course provides a comprehensive overview of notification requirements within children’s social care and explores the purpose of serious event notifications within the wider safeguarding and regulatory framework. Participants will examine why notifications are required\, how they support transparency and accountability\, and the role they play in enabling regulators and safeguarding partners to understand significant incidents affecting children and young people. \n\n\n\nThe seminar explores what constitutes a notifiable event and examines the range of incidents that may require notification to Ofsted and other relevant agencies. Participants will consider common areas of uncertainty\, including safeguarding incidents\, serious injuries\, allegations\, police involvement\, missing episodes\, and other significant events. The session will explore practical approaches to making informed decisions when assessing whether an incident meets notification thresholds and how professional judgement should be applied in complex situations. \n\n\n\nThe course also examines how to complete notifications that are accurate\, proportionate\, and informative. Participants will explore the information that should be included\, common errors and omissions\, and approaches to ensuring notifications clearly communicate the circumstances\, actions taken\, safeguarding considerations\, and immediate responses. Practical examples and case discussions will be used throughout the session to strengthen understanding and build confidence in completing notifications effectively. \n\n\n\nThe seminar further considers how notifications should be integrated within wider safeguarding\, governance\, and quality assurance systems. Participants will explore how incidents can be reviewed\, analysed\, and used as opportunities for organisational learning\, workforce development\, service improvement\, and risk management. The course encourages services to develop a culture where notifications contribute to reflective practice and continuous improvement rather than being viewed solely as a regulatory requirement. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of this course\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose and importance of notifying serious events to Ofsted and other relevant agencies.\n\n\n\nIdentify incidents and events that meet the threshold for notification across children’s homes\, supported accommodation\, and fostering services.\n\n\n\nApply professional judgement when assessing whether an incident requires notification.\n\n\n\nComplete clear\, accurate\, and timely notifications that meet regulatory expectations.\n\n\n\nRecognise common errors and omissions and implement strategies to improve reporting quality.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how notifications contribute to safeguarding\, accountability\, and organisational transparency.\n\n\n\nIntegrate notification processes within wider quality assurance\, governance\, and risk management systems.\n\n\n\nUtilise serious incidents as opportunities for reflection\, organisational learning\, and service improvement.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis course is designed for professionals responsible for safeguarding\, compliance\, incident management\, and regulatory oversight within children’s social care services. It will be particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Deputy Managers\, Team Leaders\, Supervising Social Workers\, Fostering Managers\, Designated Safeguarding Leads\, Operational Managers\, Quality Assurance Leads\, Directors\, and other professionals involved in reporting\, reviewing\, or overseeing serious incidents. The course is suitable for both experienced leaders seeking to strengthen organisational systems and those newer to regulatory responsibilities who wish to develop confidence in notification processes. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a Social Worker\, trainer\, consultant\, and regulatory specialist with more than 20 years of professional experience across children’s social care\, education\, leadership\, and service development. His career has included roles in research and higher education\, alongside extensive operational and strategic leadership within Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services. \n\n\n\nMiguel has worked as both a Responsible Individual for Children’s Homes and a Registered Service Manager for Supported Accommodation\, where he held responsibility for safeguarding\, regulatory compliance\, incident management\, quality assurance\, workforce development\, and service governance. Throughout his career\, he has overseen the management and reporting of serious incidents\, supported services through registration and inspection processes\, and developed systems that promote accountability\, learning\, and continuous improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel provides training\, consultancy\, audits\, and regulatory support to providers across the sector. His training combines practical leadership experience\, regulatory expertise\, and reflective approaches to help professionals develop confidence in managing complex situations while maintaining compliance and a strong safeguarding culture.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/notifications-of-serious-events-when-what-and-how-to-notify-ofsted/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection,Risk, Safety & Incidents,Safeguarding
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NOV26-NOTIFICATIONS.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261118T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261118T110000
DTSTAMP:20261023T105805Z
CREATED:20261023T105104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261023T105805Z
UID:6770-1794996000-1794999600@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Introduction to Supported Learning Independence Programme
DESCRIPTION:Supporting young people to develop the skills\, confidence and knowledge needed for adulthood is one of the most important aspects of working within supported accommodation. However\, providers often face challenges in delivering independence-focused learning in a way that is structured\, engaging\, consistent and easy to evidence. \n\n\n\nTo support this work\, Social Care Skills has developed the Supported Learning Independence Programme\, a comprehensive learning framework designed specifically for young people in residential and support settings. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE – FREE EVENT\n\n\n\nVISIT PROGRAMME PAGE\n\n\n\n\nOn 18th November at 10:00am\, we will be hosting a live online session for Programme Leads from new providers enrolled in the programme. We are also opening the session to other providers who would like to learn more about the programme and see how it can be implemented within their services. \n\n\n\nThis session offers a unique opportunity to explore the programme in practice rather than through a traditional sales presentation. Attendees will gain an understanding of the programme structure\, learning materials\, implementation process\, and the support available to organisations adopting the programme. \n\n\n\nThe Supported Learning Independence Programme has been designed to help providers deliver purposeful\, evidence-based work with young people while supporting preparation for adulthood and increasing independence. The programme covers a range of themes relevant to everyday life\, including independent living skills\, health and wellbeing\, education and employment\, relationships\, financial management\, community participation\, and personal development. \n\n\n\nDuring the session\, we will explore: \n\n\n\n\nThe philosophy and aims of the Supported Learning Independence Programme\n\n\n\nThe structure of the programme and learning materials\n\n\n\nThe role of the Programme Lead and supporting staff\n\n\n\nRecording learning and evidencing outcomes\n\n\n\nMonitoring progress and supporting young people’s development\n\n\n\nPractical implementation within supported accommodation services\n\n\n\nQuestions and discussion with attendees\n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE – FREE EVENT\n\n\n\nVISIT PROGRAMME PAGE\n\n\n\n\nWhether you are already delivering independence-focused work\, looking to strengthen your current approach\, or exploring new ways of evidencing progress and outcomes\, this session will provide valuable insight into how a structured learning framework can support both young people and staff.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/introduction-to-supported-learning-independence-programme/
CATEGORIES:Care Planning & Assessment,Leadership & Management,Supporting Independence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Supported-Learning-Independence-Programme-18Nov.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261119T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261119T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T102129Z
CREATED:20261012T102125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T102129Z
UID:6653-1795082400-1795093200@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Reflective Practice and Supervision in Children's Social Care
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nEffective supervision is more than a management requirement or an opportunity to review tasks and performance. In children’s social care\, it plays an essential role in supporting professional judgement\, developing staff confidence\, strengthening safeguarding practice and improving the quality of care and support provided to children and young people. This practical live online seminar explores how reflective practice can be embedded within supervision to support meaningful professional development\, critical thinking and continuous improvement. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 19th November\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will consider how to move beyond supervision that focuses primarily on operational updates and compliance\, creating opportunities for staff to explore their experiences\, reflect on decisions\, recognise the impact of their practice and identify areas for development. The seminar combines practical approaches to reflective supervision with realistic examples from children’s social care settings\, helping managers and practitioners make supervision more purposeful\, supportive and effective. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the purpose and value of reflective practice within children’s social care\, including how reflection supports professional judgement\, self-awareness\, learning and the development of effective relationships with children and young people. \n\n\n\nParticipants will consider the different functions of supervision\, including accountability\, professional development\, emotional support and the oversight of practice. Particular attention will be given to balancing these functions so that supervision provides appropriate challenge and support without becoming solely an administrative or performance-monitoring exercise. \n\n\n\nThe session will examine practical approaches to reflective supervision\, including the use of open questions\, active listening\, constructive feedback and structured reflection to encourage deeper consideration of professional experiences\, decisions and responses. \n\n\n\nParticipants will also explore how personal values\, assumptions\, emotional responses and organisational culture can influence professional practice. The seminar will consider the importance of creating an environment where staff feel able to discuss uncertainty\, mistakes\, difficult experiences and professional dilemmas while maintaining clear expectations and accountability. \n\n\n\nThe relationship between reflective supervision\, safeguarding\, professional boundaries\, staff wellbeing and organisational learning will be explored\, including how managers can identify emerging concerns\, support professional development and ensure that reflection leads to meaningful changes in practice. \n\n\n\nThroughout the seminar\, emphasis will be placed on making reflective supervision achievable within the operational realities of children’s homes\, supported accommodation\, fostering and other children’s social care services. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will explore realistic supervision scenarios and consider how reflective approaches can be used to support staff working with children and young people. \n\n\n\nThrough practical examples and discussion\, participants will consider how to structure supervision conversations\, use reflective questioning\, respond to difficult or emotionally demanding experiences and balance supportive dialogue with appropriate professional challenge. \n\n\n\nThe session will also explore situations where supervision becomes overly task-focused\, where staff struggle to reflect on their practice or where concerns about performance\, safeguarding or professional judgement need to be addressed. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to consider their own supervision arrangements and identify practical improvements to the quality of conversations\, recording\, follow-up actions and the evaluation of supervision’s impact on practice. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose and value of reflective practice in children’s social care.\n\n\n\nRecognise the different functions of supervision and the importance of balancing support\, development and accountability.\n\n\n\nUse reflective questions and approaches to encourage critical thinking and professional learning.\n\n\n\nRecognise how values\, assumptions and emotional responses may influence professional practice.\n\n\n\nCreate supervision conversations that support openness\, constructive challenge and professional development.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how reflective supervision contributes to safeguarding\, staff wellbeing and effective decision-making.\n\n\n\nIdentify ways to move beyond task-focused supervision towards meaningful reflection and learning.\n\n\n\nApply practical improvements to supervision arrangements\, recording and follow-up.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is suitable for professionals who provide\, receive or oversee supervision within children’s social care services. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Registered Service Managers\, Deputy Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Team Leaders\, Senior Residential Support Workers\, Supervising Social Workers\, Fostering Managers\, Service Managers and practitioners seeking to strengthen their reflective practice. \n\n\n\nThe seminar is relevant to Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation\, Fostering Services and other organisations supporting children and young people. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nYvette Powell is an experienced children’s social care professional and trainer whose work focuses on strengthening practice\, supporting professional development and promoting reflective approaches to working with children and young people. \n\n\n\nHer training draws on practical experience and encourages participants to explore the relationship between professional reflection\, supervision\, staff development and the quality of care and support provided to children. \n\n\n\nYvette uses discussion\, practice examples and reflective exercises to help professionals develop approaches that can be applied within their own services.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/reflective-practice-and-supervision-in-childrens-social-care/
CATEGORIES:Care Planning & Assessment,Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261124T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261124T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T102900Z
CREATED:20261012T102856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T102900Z
UID:6659-1795514400-1795525200@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Effective Record Writing & Case Recording in Children's Social Care
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nEffective recording is an essential part of good practice in children’s social care. Records do more than document events or demonstrate compliance. They help professionals understand children’s experiences\, communicate important information\, support safeguarding decisions and provide a meaningful account of the care and support delivered. This practical live online seminar explores how to improve the quality of written records and case recording within Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation\, Fostering Services and other children’s social care settings. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will consider what makes a record clear\, accurate\, objective\, analytical and child-centred\, and how to move beyond descriptive accounts that simply report what happened. The seminar also examines how recording can demonstrate professional judgement\, explain decisions\, evidence progress and contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people. Through practical examples and recording exercises\, participants will develop greater confidence in producing records that are meaningful\, proportionate and useful to children\, colleagues\, managers and other professionals. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the purpose and importance of effective recording in children’s social care\, including its contribution to safeguarding\, communication\, professional accountability\, continuity of care and organisational learning. Participants will consider how records may be used by children and young people\, social workers\, managers\, inspectors and other professionals\, both at the time they are written and in the future. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine the principles of clear and professional recording\, including accuracy\, relevance\, objectivity\, appropriate language and the distinction between facts\, observations\, professional opinions and assumptions. Particular attention will be given to avoiding judgemental or stigmatising language and ensuring that records reflect children’s dignity\, individuality and lived experiences. \n\n\n\nThe session will explore the difference between descriptive and analytical recording. Participants will consider how to move beyond simply describing events to explaining their significance\, identifying patterns\, recording professional reasoning and demonstrating how information informs decisions and actions. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will also consider recording children’s views\, wishes\, feelings and participation\, including how to represent their perspectives accurately without allowing professional interpretations to replace their own accounts. Participants will examine the importance of recording positive experiences\, achievements\, relationships and progress alongside concerns\, incidents and difficulties. \n\n\n\nDifferent recording situations will be explored\, including daily records\, key-working sessions\, safeguarding concerns\, incidents\, significant conversations\, professional meetings and management decisions. The session will consider how the purpose of each record influences the information included and the level of detail required. \n\n\n\nParticipants will also examine confidentiality\, information sharing\, professional boundaries and the importance of timely recording\, alongside the role of management oversight\, feedback and quality assurance in improving recording standards. \n\n\n\nThroughout the seminar\, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that recording is purposeful and contributes to better understanding\, decision-making and outcomes\, rather than becoming an administrative exercise. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will work through realistic recording examples from children’s social care settings\, identifying strengths\, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. \n\n\n\nPractical exercises will include reviewing records that are overly descriptive\, unclear\, judgemental or lacking professional analysis\, and considering how they could be rewritten to provide a more accurate\, balanced and meaningful account. \n\n\n\nParticipants will explore how to distinguish observations from interpretations\, incorporate children’s voices\, explain decisions and record actions and outcomes clearly. \n\n\n\nThe session will also consider how managers can review recording quality\, provide constructive feedback and support staff to develop more consistent and effective recording practices. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to reflect on their own recording approaches and identify practical changes that can be implemented within their services. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose and importance of effective recording in children’s social care.\n\n\n\nRecognise the characteristics of clear\, accurate\, objective and child-centred records.\n\n\n\nDistinguish between facts\, observations\, professional opinions and assumptions.\n\n\n\nMove beyond descriptive recording to include appropriate analysis and professional reasoning.\n\n\n\nRecord children’s views\, wishes\, feelings and experiences meaningfully.\n\n\n\nUse professional\, respectful and non-stigmatising language.\n\n\n\nImprove the quality of recording across daily practice\, key working\, incidents and safeguarding situations.\n\n\n\nRecognise how effective recording supports decision-making\, safeguarding\, management oversight and quality assurance.\n\n\n\nIdentify practical improvements to individual and organisational recording practices.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is suitable for professionals involved in recording\, reviewing or overseeing information about children and young people within children’s social care services. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Residential Support Workers\, Senior Support Workers\, Key Workers\, Team Leaders\, Deputy Managers\, Registered Managers\, Registered Service Managers\, Supervising Social Workers\, Fostering Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals and Quality Assurance professionals. \n\n\n\nThe seminar is relevant to Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation\, Fostering Services and other organisations providing care and support to children and young people. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. \n\n\n\nHis professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, quality assurance\, compliance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel works with providers and management teams to strengthen professional practice\, develop effective recording and oversight systems\, and translate regulatory expectations into practical approaches that improve service quality and outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nHis training combines operational experience\, regulatory knowledge and practical examples drawn from children’s social care settings.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/effective-record-writing-case-recording-in-childrens-social-care/
CATEGORIES:Care Planning & Assessment,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261126T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261126T170000
DTSTAMP:20261019T084606Z
CREATED:20261019T084449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T084606Z
UID:6737-1795701600-1795712400@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in Children's Social Care
DESCRIPTION:A Four-Module Safeguarding Leadership Development Programme \n\n\n\nLive Online | 17–26 November 2026 | 12 Hours \n\n\n\nOverview\n\n\n\nThe Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) plays a critical role in promoting effective safeguarding practice\, supporting professional decision-making and ensuring that concerns about children and young people are recognised\, responded to and managed appropriately. \n\n\n\nWithin Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation and other children’s social care settings\, safeguarding leadership requires more than an understanding of policies and procedures. It demands professional judgement\, confidence in managing complex situations\, effective multi-agency working and the ability to provide appropriate oversight\, challenge and support to staff. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 17\, 23 & 26 November 2026📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £215 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £280 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis comprehensive four-module programme has been developed by Social Care Skills to strengthen the knowledge\, skills and confidence of professionals undertaking\, or preparing to undertake\, Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities. \n\n\n\nCombining regulatory and professional knowledge with practical exercises\, realistic safeguarding scenarios and facilitated discussion\, the programme explores safeguarding decision-making\, referrals and thresholds\, allegations management\, and the leadership responsibilities associated with maintaining a strong safeguarding culture. \n\n\n\nThe programme is delivered by Paul James\, an experienced safeguarding professional and Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and Miguel Valerio\, an experienced social worker and children’s social care leader. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to reflect critically on their own practice\, apply learning to realistic situations and demonstrate their understanding through a practice-based assessment. \n\n\n\nProgramme Dates\n\n\n\nModuleDateTimeModule 1Tuesday 17 November14:00–17:00Module 2Monday 23 November10:00–13:00Module 3Monday 23 November14:00–17:00Module 4Thursday 26 November10:00–13:00\n\n\n\nProgramme Structure\n\n\n\nModule 1: The DSL Role and Safeguarding Decision-Making \n\n\n\nTuesday 17 November 2026 | 14:00–17:00 \n\n\n\nThis opening module explores the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead within children’s social care organisations and the knowledge\, judgement and professional confidence required to fulfil the role effectively. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine safeguarding leadership responsibilities\, recognising and responding to concerns\, assessing information\, managing uncertainty and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken and recorded. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to professional curiosity\, safeguarding thresholds\, defensible decision-making and the importance of maintaining effective oversight of safeguarding concerns. \n\n\n\nThe module will also explore how the DSL works with managers\, staff and external professionals to promote consistent safeguarding practice. \n\n\n\nModule 2: Referrals\, Thresholds and Multi-Agency Safeguarding\n\n\n\nMonday 23 November 2026 | 10:00–13:00 \n\n\n\nThis module focuses on the DSL’s responsibilities in recognising when safeguarding concerns require external referral\, understanding thresholds for intervention and working effectively with safeguarding partners. \n\n\n\nParticipants will explore the referral process\, the importance of clear and relevant information-sharing\, and how to contribute effectively to multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. \n\n\n\nThe session will consider professional disagreement\, escalation\, communication with statutory agencies and the importance of maintaining a child-centred approach throughout safeguarding processes. \n\n\n\nPractical scenarios will support participants in developing confidence when making referrals\, responding to professional challenge and contributing to safeguarding decision-making. \n\n\n\nModule 3: The DSL and the Allegations Process\n\n\n\nMonday 23 November 2026 | 14:00–17:00 \n\n\n\nManaging allegations and concerns about adults working with children requires a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities\, professional boundaries and appropriate referral and investigation processes. \n\n\n\nThis module explores the DSL’s role in recognising\, reporting and responding to allegations involving staff\, volunteers and other adults in positions of trust. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)\, relevant referral thresholds\, organisational responsibilities and the importance of ensuring that safeguarding and employment processes are managed appropriately. \n\n\n\nThe module will also consider concerns that do not meet the allegations threshold\, the importance of accurate recording\, information-sharing\, confidentiality and learning from allegations. \n\n\n\nPractical case discussions will help participants understand how to respond appropriately while protecting children\, maintaining procedural fairness and supporting organisational accountability. \n\n\n\nModule 4: Safeguarding Leadership\, Oversight and Organisational Learning\n\n\n\nThursday 26 November 2026 | 10:00–13:00 \n\n\n\nThe final module focuses on the wider leadership responsibilities of the DSL and the importance of maintaining effective safeguarding arrangements across the organisation. \n\n\n\nParticipants will explore how to monitor safeguarding practice\, identify patterns and emerging risks\, provide appropriate support and challenge to staff\, and ensure that safeguarding concerns inform organisational learning and improvement. \n\n\n\nThe module will consider safeguarding audits\, management oversight\, staff supervision\, training needs\, professional accountability and the development of a positive safeguarding culture. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to how DSLs can move beyond responding to individual incidents towards identifying systemic issues\, strengthening preventive practice and contributing to continuous improvement. \n\n\n\nParticipants will also reflect on their learning across the programme and consider how to apply it within their own professional roles. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nPractical Learning and Assessment\n\n\n\nThe programme adopts an interactive\, practice-focused approach\, combining professional knowledge with realistic safeguarding scenarios\, group discussion and reflective exercises. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to apply their learning to situations relevant to Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation and other children’s social care services. \n\n\n\nTo receive the Certificate of Completion\, participants must: \n\n\n\n\nAttend at least 75% of the programme.\n\n\n\nSuccessfully complete the practice-based assessment.\n\n\n\nDemonstrate an appropriate understanding of the key safeguarding responsibilities explored throughout the programme.\n\n\n\n\nThe assessment is designed to evaluate participants’ ability to apply safeguarding knowledge and professional judgement to practical situations. \n\n\n\nThe certificate recognises successful completion of the Social Care Skills development programme. It is not a regulated qualification or a substitute for an employer’s assessment of an individual’s suitability to undertake DSL responsibilities. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the programme\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the role and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead within children’s social care.\n\n\n\nApply professional judgement when recognising\, assessing and responding to safeguarding concerns.\n\n\n\nUnderstand safeguarding referral processes\, thresholds and multi-agency responsibilities.\n\n\n\nCommunicate and share safeguarding information appropriately with relevant professionals and agencies.\n\n\n\nRecognise and respond appropriately to allegations and concerns involving adults working with children.\n\n\n\nUnderstand the role of the LADO and the responsibilities of organisations within the allegations process.\n\n\n\nDemonstrate effective safeguarding leadership\, professional challenge and management oversight.\n\n\n\nIdentify patterns\, emerging risks and opportunities for organisational learning.\n\n\n\nPromote a safeguarding culture that supports professional accountability\, reflection and continuous improvement.\n\n\n\n\nWho Should Attend?\n\n\n\nThis programme is designed for professionals who currently undertake\, or are preparing to undertake\, Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities within children’s social care organisations. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Registered Service Managers\, Deputy Managers\, Nominated Individuals\, Responsible Individuals\, safeguarding leads\, senior practitioners and other professionals with designated safeguarding responsibilities. \n\n\n\nThe programme is suitable for professionals working in Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation and other children’s social care settings. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nProgramme Facilitators\n\n\n\nPaul James – Paul is a registered social worker with over 25 years of experience in safeguarding and children’s services. He currently works as a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in South East England and is Co-Chair of a Regional LADO Network. \n\n\n\nHis professional experience includes safeguarding leadership\, managing allegations\, multi-agency working\, safeguarding training and supporting organisations to strengthen their safeguarding arrangements. Paul brings extensive practical knowledge of safeguarding thresholds\, allegations management and the responsibilities of professionals working with children. \n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio – Miguel is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. His professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, safeguarding\, quality assurance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel supports organisations and professionals to strengthen safeguarding practice\, develop effective leadership arrangements and improve outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nTotal Learning Time: 12 Hours \n\n\n\nAll modules are delivered live online.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/designated-safeguarding-lead-dsl-in-childrens-social-care/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Regulation & Inspection,Specialist Practice
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261201T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261201T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T104626Z
CREATED:20261012T104429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T104626Z
UID:6663-1796119200-1796130000@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Risk Assessments & Care/Support Plans in Children's Social Care
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nEffective risk assessments and care or support plans are essential to providing safe\, individualised and purposeful care and support for children and young people. When developed and used effectively\, these documents help professionals understand individual needs\, identify risks\, plan appropriate interventions and monitor progress towards meaningful outcomes. However\, assessments and plans can sometimes become administrative exercises\, containing generic information\, unclear actions or recommendations that are not consistently reflected in everyday practice. \n\n\n\nThis practical live online seminar explores how to develop\, implement and review meaningful risk assessments and care/support plans within Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation and other children’s social care settings. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 1st December\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will consider how to identify and analyse risks\, balance safeguarding responsibilities with children’s rights and developing independence\, and translate assessment findings into clear\, achievable and individualised plans. The seminar also explores how effective recording\, professional judgement\, multi-agency working and regular review can ensure that assessments and plans remain relevant\, responsive and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the purpose and relationship between risk assessments and care/support plans\, considering how both contribute to safeguarding\, individualised practice and the achievement of positive outcomes. Participants will examine how information from referrals\, placement planning\, direct work\, observations\, incidents and professional assessments can be brought together to develop a meaningful understanding of a child’s needs\, circumstances and potential risks. \n\n\n\nParticipants will consider how to identify and assess risks without relying exclusively on generic categories or scoring systems. The session will explore the importance of understanding the context\, likelihood\, potential impact and changing nature of risks\, alongside recognising protective factors\, individual strengths and opportunities for positive development. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to balancing safety\, rights\, choice and independence. Participants will consider how to avoid unnecessarily restrictive approaches while ensuring that decisions are proportionate\, evidence-informed and appropriate to the child’s age\, needs\, circumstances and legal framework. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will examine how assessment findings should inform care and support planning\, including the development of clear objectives\, practical interventions\, responsibilities\, timescales and measurable outcomes. Participants will explore how plans can be made meaningful to staff and young people\, rather than becoming lengthy documents that are rarely used to guide practice. \n\n\n\nThe relationship between organisational plans and those developed by placing authorities and other professionals will also be considered. Participants will explore the importance of consistency\, information sharing\, professional challenge and ensuring that local plans complement wider care\, placement and pathway planning arrangements. \n\n\n\nThe session will also consider the importance of dynamic risk assessment\, ongoing monitoring and timely review\, particularly following significant incidents\, changes in circumstances or emerging safeguarding concerns. \n\n\n\nThroughout the seminar\, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that risk assessments and care/support plans are living documents that inform daily practice\, support professional decision-making and provide evidence of progress and outcomes. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will work through realistic scenarios from Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation settings\, considering how assessment information can be translated into practical risk management and care/support planning arrangements. \n\n\n\nThe exercises will explore how to identify relevant risks and protective factors\, distinguish between general concerns and specific risks\, develop proportionate management strategies and formulate clear actions that staff can consistently implement. \n\n\n\nParticipants will also review examples of assessments and plans that contain generic statements\, unclear responsibilities or actions that cannot easily be evaluated\, considering how these can be improved. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to the relationship between written plans and everyday practice\, including how staff should respond when circumstances change\, how young people can contribute to planning and how managers can monitor whether agreed interventions are effective. \n\n\n\nThe session will encourage participants to reflect on their own assessment and planning systems and identify practical improvements that strengthen consistency\, safeguarding and outcomes. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the relationship between risk assessment\, care/support planning and effective practice in children’s social care.\n\n\n\nIdentify and analyse risks using relevant information\, professional judgement and an understanding of individual circumstances.\n\n\n\nRecognise the importance of strengths\, protective factors and children’s participation in assessment and planning.\n\n\n\nDevelop proportionate risk management strategies that balance safeguarding\, rights and independence.\n\n\n\nTranslate assessment findings into clear\, individualised care/support plans with meaningful actions and outcomes.\n\n\n\nRecognise the importance of consistency between organisational plans and wider care\, placement and pathway planning arrangements.\n\n\n\nUnderstand when and how assessments and plans should be reviewed and updated.\n\n\n\nImprove the quality\, practical application and management oversight of risk assessments and care/support plans.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is suitable for professionals involved in assessing risks\, developing plans or overseeing the care and support provided to children and young people. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Residential Support Workers\, Key Workers\, Senior Support Workers\, Team Leaders\, Deputy Managers\, Registered Managers\, Registered Service Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Service Managers and Quality Assurance professionals. \n\n\n\nThe seminar is relevant to Children’s Homes\, Supported Accommodation and other children’s social care settings where individual risk assessments and care/support plans are used to guide practice. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. \n\n\n\nHis professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, quality assurance\, compliance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel works with providers and management teams to strengthen regulatory understanding\, develop effective assessment and planning arrangements\, and translate professional and regulatory expectations into practical approaches that improve service quality and outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nHis training combines operational experience\, regulatory knowledge and practical examples drawn from children’s social care settings.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/risk-assessments-care-support-plans-in-childrens-social-care-2/
CATEGORIES:Care Planning & Assessment,Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DEC26-RA_SP.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261203T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261203T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T104936Z
CREATED:20261012T104932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T104936Z
UID:6676-1796292000-1796302800@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Missing from Care: Prevention\, Response & Safe Return
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nChildren and young people going missing from care remains one of the most significant safeguarding challenges within children’s social care. Missing episodes are often indicators of vulnerability\, exploitation\, trauma\, unmet needs\, or difficulties within a young person’s relationships and environment. Effective responses require more than simply locating a child; they require proactive prevention\, coordinated safeguarding action\, and meaningful support that addresses the underlying reasons why the young person went missing. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 3rd December\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis practical and safeguarding-focused seminar provides professionals with a clear framework for preventing missing incidents\, responding effectively when they occur\, and supporting young people upon their return. The course explores current safeguarding expectations\, multi-agency responsibilities\, and practical approaches that reduce risk and promote positive outcomes. Particular attention is given to the effective use of the Philomena Protocol as a preventative and collaborative tool that strengthens information sharing and police responses. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThis course explores the complex reasons why children and young people go missing from care and examines the relationship between missing episodes\, trauma\, exploitation\, peer influence\, family relationships\, emotional wellbeing\, and unmet needs. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of missing behaviour as a safeguarding concern rather than solely a behavioural issue\, helping them identify underlying vulnerabilities and respond more effectively. \n\n\n\nThe seminar examines preventative approaches that reduce the likelihood of missing incidents occurring. Participants will explore the role of relationship-based practice\, risk assessment\, contextual safeguarding\, safety planning\, professional curiosity\, and direct work with children and young people. The session highlights the importance of understanding individual triggers\, patterns\, and risks while supporting young people to develop safer coping strategies and stronger support networks. \n\n\n\nParticipants will also explore the practical application of the Philomena Protocol\, including its purpose\, implementation\, and benefits. The course examines how the protocol can be used proactively to ensure key information is available to police and partner agencies\, enabling faster and more effective responses when children go missing. Consideration will also be given to information sharing\, recording\, and partnership working between providers\, local authorities\, police\, and other safeguarding agencies. \n\n\n\nThe course further examines how professionals should respond when a child goes missing\, including reporting procedures\, escalation processes\, recording requirements\, and multi-agency coordination. Attention is also given to return home processes\, debrief conversations\, reflection\, and learning following missing episodes. Participants will explore how meaningful return interviews and reflective discussions can help identify ongoing risks\, strengthen relationships\, and reduce the likelihood of future incidents. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of this course\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the factors that contribute to children and young people going missing from care.\n\n\n\nRecognise the links between missing episodes\, trauma\, exploitation\, peer influence\, and vulnerability.\n\n\n\nApply preventative approaches that reduce the likelihood of missing incidents occurring.\n\n\n\nUtilise the Philomena Protocol effectively to strengthen information sharing and police responses.\n\n\n\nRespond to missing incidents in line with safeguarding procedures\, regulatory requirements\, and local protocols.\n\n\n\nUnderstand the importance of multi-agency working in managing missing episodes and reducing risk.\n\n\n\nConduct meaningful return conversations and utilise learning to reduce future incidents.\n\n\n\nStrengthen safeguarding practice and improve outcomes for children and young people who go missing from care.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis course is designed for professionals responsible for safeguarding\, risk management\, and supporting children and young people who may go missing from care. It will be particularly relevant for Residential Childcare Practitioners\, Supported Accommodation Staff\, Foster Carers\, Social Workers\, Supervising Social Workers\, Team Leaders\, Deputy Managers\, Registered Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Designated Safeguarding Leads\, Family Support Workers\, and other professionals working with children and young people who may be vulnerable to missing episodes\, exploitation\, or associated safeguarding risks. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nPravina Patel is a senior leader within children’s social care with more than 20 years of experience across children’s residential care\, supported accommodation\, safeguarding leadership\, and education services. She has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance\, service development\, Ofsted registration\, and the leadership of multi-site services supporting children and young people with complex needs. \n\n\n\nPravina has significant experience in safeguarding\, contextual safeguarding\, trauma-informed practice\, workforce development\, quality assurance\, and governance. She currently works as a Registered Service Manager and Responsible Individual\, overseeing multiple services for young people while leading safeguarding systems\, operational development\, and continuous improvement initiatives. Her practical experience of managing safeguarding concerns\, responding to missing incidents\, working alongside police and local authorities\, and supporting services through regulatory scrutiny provides participants with valuable insight into effective missing-from-care practice. \n\n\n\nThrough her training and leadership work\, Pravina supports professionals to strengthen safeguarding cultures\, improve decision-making\, and develop practical approaches that promote the safety\, wellbeing\, and positive outcomes of children and young people.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/missing-from-care-prevention-response-safe-return/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection,Risk, Safety & Incidents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DEC26-MISSING.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261208T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261208T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T105357Z
CREATED:20261012T105353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T105357Z
UID:6681-1796724000-1796734800@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Purposeful Key Working: Planning for Progress\, Not Just Paperwork
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nKey working is one of the most important interventions available to professionals supporting children and young people in residential childcare\, supported accommodation\, fostering services\, and other care settings. When undertaken effectively\, key working provides opportunities to build trusting relationships\, promote positive outcomes\, support personal development\, and help young people achieve meaningful progress. However\, key working can sometimes become overly focused on completing records rather than creating purposeful interventions that make a genuine difference. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 8th December\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis practical and reflective course explores how to transform key working from a recording exercise into a purposeful and outcome-focused intervention. Participants will develop the knowledge and skills needed to plan\, deliver\, review\, and record key work sessions that are engaging\, meaningful\, and tailored to the individual needs of children and young people. The course focuses on helping practitioners use key working as a powerful tool for supporting growth\, resilience\, independence\, and positive change. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThis course explores the purpose and value of key working within children’s social care and examines how effective key work contributes to positive outcomes for children and young people. Participants will consider the role of relationships\, trust\, consistency\, and purposeful engagement in creating meaningful interventions that support progress and development. The session encourages practitioners to move beyond compliance-driven approaches and instead focus on creating opportunities for learning\, reflection\, problem-solving\, and personal growth. \n\n\n\nThe seminar examines how to plan key working sessions that are informed by assessments\, care plans\, support plans\, pathway plans\, risk assessments\, and the identified needs and aspirations of children and young people. Participants will explore how to identify meaningful objectives\, select appropriate topics\, and ensure that sessions remain relevant\, child-centred\, and outcome-focused. Particular attention will be given to ensuring that key work contributes to broader care planning and supports long-term goals rather than becoming isolated activities. \n\n\n\nThe course also explores practical techniques for engaging children and young people in key working. Participants will examine how to adapt their approach to different ages\, developmental stages\, communication styles\, and levels of engagement. Topics such as emotional wellbeing\, identity\, relationships\, independence\, education\, safeguarding\, future planning\, and life skills will be considered as examples of purposeful areas for intervention. \n\n\n\nThroughout the session\, participants will explore how to evaluate the effectiveness of key working and evidence progress through meaningful recording. The course encourages practitioners to move beyond descriptive records and instead demonstrate impact\, reflection\, learning\, and outcomes\, ensuring that key working contributes meaningfully to the lives of children and young people. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of this course\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nExplain the purpose and value of key working as a meaningful intervention within children’s social care.\n\n\n\nPlan key working sessions that are informed by assessments\, care plans\, support plans\, and identified needs.\n\n\n\nDevelop outcome-focused objectives that support positive progress and development.\n\n\n\nUtilise relationship-based approaches to improve engagement and participation.\n\n\n\nAdapt key working approaches to meet the individual needs\, strengths\, and developmental stages of children and young people.\n\n\n\nDeliver purposeful interventions that support wellbeing\, independence\, resilience\, and positive outcomes.\n\n\n\nEvaluate the effectiveness of key working sessions and identify evidence of progress.\n\n\n\nProduce meaningful records that demonstrate impact\, learning\, reflection\, and outcomes rather than simply describing activities.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis course is designed for professionals who undertake direct work with children and young people as part of their role. It will be particularly relevant for Residential Childcare Practitioners\, Supported Accommodation Staff\, Foster Carers\, Supervising Social Workers\, Social Workers\, Key Workers\, Family Support Workers\, Team Leaders\, Deputy Managers\, Registered Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, and other professionals responsible for planning\, delivering\, reviewing\, or overseeing direct work and key working interventions. The course is suitable for both experienced practitioners seeking to strengthen their approach and those newer to undertaking direct work with children and young people. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a Social Worker\, trainer\, consultant\, and regulatory specialist with more than 20 years of professional experience across children’s social care\, education\, leadership\, and service development. Throughout his career\, Miguel has worked directly with children and young people in a variety of settings while also leading Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services as a Responsible Individual and Registered Service Manager. \n\n\n\nHis extensive experience in care planning\, safeguarding\, quality assurance\, workforce development\, and service leadership has given him a strong understanding of how purposeful interventions contribute to positive outcomes. Through Social Care Skills\, Miguel supports providers through training\, consultancy\, audits\, and service development\, helping professionals strengthen their practice and deliver meaningful support that goes beyond compliance. His training combines regulatory knowledge\, practical experience\, and reflective approaches to support participants in developing effective and impactful key working practice.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/purposeful-key-working-planning-for-progress-not-just-paperwork/
CATEGORIES:Care Planning & Assessment,Live Online Seminars,Risk, Safety & Incidents,Safeguarding
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DEC26-KEYWORKING.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261210T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261210T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T114300Z
CREATED:20261012T114255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T114300Z
UID:6686-1796896800-1796907600@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Managing Staff Performance & Difficult Employment Issues
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nManaging staff performance and addressing employment issues is a critical leadership responsibility within social care. Whether dealing with performance concerns\, misconduct\, grievances\, workplace conflict\, or complaints\, managers must balance fairness\, accountability\, legal compliance\, and organisational values while maintaining positive working relationships and service quality. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 10th December\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis practical and informative seminar equips managers and senior staff with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate difficult employment situations effectively. Participants will explore disciplinary and grievance procedures\, performance management approaches\, workplace investigations\, and employment law principles\, developing practical skills that support fair\, consistent\, and defensible decision-making. The course focuses on helping leaders create workplace cultures that promote accountability\, professionalism\, wellbeing\, and continuous improvement. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThis course explores the role of managers and leaders in addressing workplace concerns and supporting staff performance within social care settings. Participants will examine the purpose and principles of disciplinary and grievance procedures and consider how effective people management contributes to safer services\, stronger teams\, and better outcomes for those receiving care and support. \n\n\n\nThe seminar examines the processes involved in responding to performance concerns\, misconduct allegations\, grievances\, workplace disputes\, and complaints. Participants will explore how concerns can be identified\, investigated\, documented\, and resolved through fair and proportionate approaches that balance organisational responsibilities with the rights and wellbeing of employees. Particular attention will be given to maintaining professionalism\, objectivity\, and consistency throughout the process. \n\n\n\nThe course also explores the importance of investigations\, evidence gathering\, record keeping\, and decision-making. Participants will consider how to conduct fair investigations\, evaluate evidence\, manage difficult conversations\, and ensure that decisions are supported by appropriate documentation and rationale. Common mistakes and procedural risks will be explored\, helping managers understand how poor practice can undermine outcomes and expose organisations to legal or regulatory challenges. \n\n\n\nThroughout the session\, participants will examine how leadership\, communication\, supervision\, and organisational culture contribute to the prevention and management of employment issues. Practical examples and case discussions will help attendees develop confidence in applying fair and effective approaches to workforce management. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of this course\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose and principles of disciplinary and grievance procedures.\n\n\n\nApply fair\, lawful\, and proportionate approaches to managing staff concerns and employment issues.\n\n\n\nUnderstand the role of investigations\, evidence gathering\, and documentation within employment processes.\n\n\n\nManage performance concerns\, misconduct issues\, complaints\, and workplace conflict with greater confidence.\n\n\n\nConduct difficult conversations in a professional\, respectful\, and constructive manner.\n\n\n\nRecognise common procedural pitfalls and implement strategies to reduce organisational risk.\n\n\n\nUnderstand the relationship between workforce management\, safeguarding\, and service quality.\n\n\n\nStrengthen leadership approaches that promote accountability\, transparency\, and positive workplace cultures.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis course is designed for managers\, leaders\, and professionals responsible for supervising staff and addressing workforce issues within social care settings. It will be particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Deputy Managers\, Team Leaders\, Supervising Social Workers\, Operational Managers\, Directors\, Human Resources Professionals\, Quality Assurance Leads\, and other professionals involved in staff management\, performance oversight\, investigations\, or organisational leadership. The course is suitable for both experienced managers seeking to strengthen their employment practice and those newer to leadership responsibilities. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nStuart Falconer brings more than 20 years of experience across both the public and private sectors\, supporting organisations with a wide range of Human Resources and workforce management challenges. His expertise spans all areas of generalist HR practice\, including disciplinary and grievance procedures\, performance management\, absence management\, recruitment\, redundancy\, organisational change\, and compliance with employment legislation. \n\n\n\nThroughout his career\, Stuart has supported organisations across England to navigate complex employment issues with confidence\, fairness\, and professionalism. He is particularly experienced in helping managers address difficult workplace situations\, conduct investigations\, manage employee relations matters\, and implement effective workforce strategies. His practical\, no-nonsense approach enables participants to understand both the legal framework and the real-world application of employment processes. \n\n\n\nThrough his consultancy\, coaching\, and training work\, Stuart helps organisations strengthen management capability\, improve workforce practices\, and create workplace cultures that balance accountability\, compliance\, and employee wellbeing. His sessions are highly practical and focused on providing managers with tools and confidence that can be immediately applied within their own services.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/managing-staff-performance-difficult-employment-issues/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261215T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261215T130000
DTSTAMP:20261012T120316Z
CREATED:20261012T120312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T120316Z
UID:6692-1797328800-1797339600@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:OFSTED Quality of Care/Support Reviews
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nEffective quality of care and support reviews are essential to understanding how well children’s social care services meet the needs of children and young people\, achieve positive outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement. \n\n\n\nFor Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation providers\, periodic quality reviews are an important part of regulatory compliance\, management oversight and continuous service development. However\, the value of these reviews depends on more than gathering information and producing reports. They should provide a meaningful evaluation of the experiences of children and young people\, the quality of practice and the effectiveness of the service. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 15th December\, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis practical live online seminar explores how to plan\, undertake and use effective quality of care and support reviews within Ofsted-regulated Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services. Participants will consider the relevant review requirements\, how to gather and analyse meaningful evidence\, involve children and other stakeholders\, identify patterns and trends\, and translate findings into clear improvement actions. The seminar also explores how quality reviews can become an integral part of management oversight and organisational learning\, rather than a periodic administrative exercise. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the purpose and requirements of quality of care and support reviews within Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation\, including the different regulatory expectations that apply to each type of provision. Participants will consider how these reviews contribute to organisational accountability\, management oversight\, inspection readiness and continuous improvement. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine how to structure an effective review\, including identifying relevant areas for evaluation\, determining appropriate sources of evidence and ensuring that information is gathered systematically throughout the review period. The session will consider how to use information from care and support records\, safeguarding incidents\, complaints\, feedback\, staff supervision\, internal monitoring and other quality assurance activities. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to the difference between describing activity and evaluating its effectiveness. Participants will explore how to move beyond listing what the service has done to analysing the quality of practice\, identifying patterns\, assessing progress and understanding the impact of care and support on children and young people. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will also examine how children’s voices\, experiences and outcomes should inform quality reviews. Participants will consider approaches to gathering meaningful feedback from children\, families\, placing authorities\, staff and other professionals\, while recognising the importance of balancing different perspectives and interpreting information critically. \n\n\n\nThe session will explore how to identify strengths\, areas for improvement and emerging concerns\, including the importance of recognising recurring issues\, evaluating previous actions and demonstrating whether changes have resulted in better practice or outcomes. \n\n\n\nParticipants will also consider how review findings should be translated into clear\, achievable improvement actions\, with identified responsibilities\, timescales and arrangements for monitoring progress. The relationship between quality reviews\, wider organisational development plans and ongoing management oversight will be explored. \n\n\n\nThroughout the seminar\, emphasis will be placed on producing reviews that are analytical\, evidence-informed and useful to the organisation\, while meeting the relevant regulatory requirements for Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will work through realistic examples of quality of care and support review information from Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation settings. \n\n\n\nThe exercises will explore how to identify relevant evidence\, interpret information\, recognise patterns and move from descriptive reporting towards meaningful evaluation. \n\n\n\nParticipants will consider examples of review findings that lack analysis\, contain unsupported conclusions or fail to demonstrate the impact of care and support. They will explore how these can be strengthened through better evidence\, professional judgement and clearer evaluation. \n\n\n\nThe session will also examine how to develop improvement actions from review findings\, including how to establish meaningful objectives\, assign responsibilities and evaluate whether changes have achieved the intended outcomes. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to reflect on their own quality review processes and identify practical improvements to evidence gathering\, analysis\, reporting and management oversight. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose and regulatory requirements of quality of care and support reviews in Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation.\n\n\n\nRecognise the differences between the review arrangements applicable to each type of provision.\n\n\n\nIdentify and organise relevant evidence to support meaningful quality reviews.\n\n\n\nMove beyond descriptive reporting towards analytical and evaluative review processes.\n\n\n\nIncorporate children’s experiences\, views and outcomes into quality evaluation.\n\n\n\nIdentify patterns\, trends\, strengths and areas requiring improvement.\n\n\n\nDevelop clear\, achievable and measurable improvement actions from review findings.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how quality reviews contribute to management oversight\, organisational learning and continuous improvement.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is suitable for professionals responsible for undertaking\, contributing to or overseeing quality of care and support reviews within Ofsted-regulated children’s social care services. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Registered Service Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Deputy Managers\, Operational Managers\, Service Managers\, Quality Assurance Officers\, Compliance Managers and senior leaders. \n\n\n\nThe seminar is designed for professionals working in Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services who wish to strengthen their review processes\, improve the quality of evaluation and ensure that findings contribute to meaningful service improvement. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. \n\n\n\nHis professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, quality assurance\, compliance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel works with providers and management teams to strengthen regulatory understanding\, develop effective quality assurance and oversight arrangements\, and translate regulatory expectations into practical approaches that improve service quality and outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nHis training combines operational experience\, regulatory knowledge and practical examples drawn from children’s social care settings.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/ofsted-quality-of-care-support-reviews/
CATEGORIES:Care Planning & Assessment,Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DEC26-QUALITYREVIEWS.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261215T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261215T170000
DTSTAMP:20261012T122611Z
CREATED:20261012T122607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T122611Z
UID:6699-1797343200-1797354000@socialcareskills.co.uk
SUMMARY:Developing and Using an Effective Workforce Plan
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nAn effective workforce plan is essential to ensuring that children’s social care services have the right people\, skills\, experience and management arrangements to meet the needs of children and young people. For Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation providers\, workforce planning is closely connected to the quality and consistency of care and support\, safeguarding\, staff development\, organisational resilience and regulatory compliance. However\, workforce plans can sometimes become static documents that describe staffing arrangements without demonstrating how the workforce is developed\, supported and reviewed. \n\n\n\n📅 Date & Time: 15th December\, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM📍 Live Online via Teams📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+ \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nThis practical live online seminar explores how to develop\, implement and use an effective workforce plan within Ofsted-regulated Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services. Participants will consider how to assess workforce needs\, plan appropriate staffing arrangements\, identify training and development priorities\, monitor workforce performance and respond to changing service demands. \n\n\n\nThe seminar also examines how workforce planning can support management oversight\, quality assurance and continuous improvement\, ensuring that plans remain relevant to the service and contribute to positive outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nCourse Content\n\n\n\nThe seminar explores the purpose and value of workforce planning in children’s social care\, including its relationship with the Statement of Purpose\, the needs of children and young people\, organisational structure and the delivery of safe\, consistent and effective care and support. \n\n\n\nParticipants will consider the different workforce planning expectations applicable to Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation\, including how staffing models\, management arrangements\, qualifications\, training and supervision requirements should reflect the nature and complexity of the provision. \n\n\n\nThe session will examine how to assess workforce capacity and capability\, including staffing numbers\, roles and responsibilities\, qualifications\, professional experience\, skills and the ability to respond to changing needs. Participants will explore how to identify gaps\, plan recruitment and retention strategies\, and ensure that staffing arrangements remain appropriate as services develop. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to staff induction\, training\, continuing professional development\, supervision and appraisal. Participants will consider how these activities should form part of a coordinated workforce development approach rather than operating as separate administrative processes. \n\n\n\nThe seminar will also explore workforce resilience and contingency planning\, including how providers can respond to vacancies\, sickness\, staff turnover\, unexpected demands and changes in the needs of children and young people while maintaining safe and consistent service delivery. \n\n\n\nParticipants will examine how to structure and maintain a meaningful workforce plan\, including the use of workforce information\, training matrices\, supervision records\, performance monitoring and quality assurance findings to identify priorities and evaluate progress. \n\n\n\nThe relationship between workforce planning and management oversight will also be considered\, including how managers and organisational leaders can use workforce information to identify emerging concerns\, assess the effectiveness of development arrangements and inform strategic and operational decisions. \n\n\n\nThroughout the session\, emphasis will be placed on developing workforce plans that are realistic\, evidence-informed and actively used to guide staffing decisions\, professional development and service improvement. \n\n\n\nPractice Application\n\n\n\nParticipants will work through practical examples of workforce planning within Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation settings\, considering how different service models and organisational circumstances influence workforce requirements. \n\n\n\nUsing realistic scenarios\, participants will explore how to identify workforce strengths and gaps\, assess staffing capacity\, determine training and development priorities\, and plan appropriate responses to recruitment\, retention and operational challenges. \n\n\n\nThe session will also examine examples of workforce plans that are overly descriptive\, lack clear objectives or fail to demonstrate how workforce arrangements are monitored and improved. \n\n\n\nParticipants will consider how to develop meaningful workforce actions\, including identifying responsibilities\, timescales\, required resources and evidence of progress. \n\n\n\nParticular attention will be given to how workforce plans can be reviewed and updated in response to changes in staffing\, service development\, inspection findings and the needs of children and young people. \n\n\n\nParticipants will be encouraged to reflect on their own workforce planning arrangements and identify practical improvements that strengthen management oversight and organisational effectiveness. \n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes\n\n\n\nBy the end of the seminar\, participants will be able to: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the purpose and importance of effective workforce planning in children’s social care.\n\n\n\nRecognise the different workforce planning expectations for Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation.\n\n\n\nAssess workforce capacity\, capability and development needs in relation to service requirements.\n\n\n\nIdentify priorities relating to staffing\, recruitment\, retention\, qualifications and professional development.\n\n\n\nUnderstand how induction\, training\, supervision and appraisal contribute to workforce development.\n\n\n\nRecognise the importance of workforce resilience and contingency arrangements.\n\n\n\nDevelop meaningful workforce planning objectives\, actions and monitoring arrangements.\n\n\n\nUse workforce information and quality assurance findings to inform management decisions.\n\n\n\nReview and update workforce plans to support continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children and young people.\n\n\n\n\nIntended Audience\n\n\n\nThis seminar is suitable for professionals responsible for developing\, implementing\, reviewing or overseeing workforce arrangements within children’s social care services. \n\n\n\nIt is particularly relevant for Registered Managers\, Registered Service Managers\, Responsible Individuals\, Nominated Individuals\, Deputy Managers\, Operational Managers\, Service Managers\, HR professionals\, Workforce Development Leads\, Quality Assurance Officers and senior leaders. \n\n\n\nThe seminar is designed for professionals working in Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services who wish to strengthen workforce planning\, improve staff development arrangements and ensure that workforce decisions support safe\, effective and sustainable provision. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nCourse Facilitator\n\n\n\nMiguel Valerio is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience in social care\, including extensive experience in the management\, development and regulatory oversight of Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services in England. \n\n\n\nHis professional background includes Registered Service Manager\, Operational Manager and Responsible Individual roles\, alongside supporting providers with Ofsted registration\, inspection preparation\, quality assurance\, compliance and service improvement. \n\n\n\nThrough Social Care Skills\, Miguel works with providers and management teams to strengthen regulatory understanding\, develop effective workforce planning and oversight arrangements\, and translate regulatory expectations into practical approaches that improve service quality and outcomes for children and young people. \n\n\n\nHis training combines operational experience\, regulatory knowledge and practical examples drawn from children’s social care settings.
URL:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/event/developing-and-using-an-effective-workforce-plan/
CATEGORIES:Leadership & Management,Live Online Seminars,Regulation & Inspection
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://socialcareskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DEC26-WORKFORCEPLAN.png
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