When the government released the update of Working Together to Safeguard Children (WTSC), I and I suspect many others felt a sense of overwhelm- not another piece of guidance. But we need to remember that WTSC does not just impact schools, but all those involved in safeguarding children. Even so it does raise questions why WTSC 2026 was released now before the final passage into law of either the Crime and Policing Bill or the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Both of which will lead to...

The SEND Consultation and the related White Paper are currently proposals about proposals: It is far from perfect and the devil will be in the detail. However, I am cautiously optimistic. This is more than a rearrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic. It is a document with scope and ambition which recognises that reform of education, including SEND, is a long term project. It views SEND as part of a wider approach to education, not something that can be ‘fixed’ with some tinkering at the...

This is a consultation. A lot can and almost certainly will change between now and September, so there is no need for school staff to panic and rush into making changes. However, this document does give an indication of the direction of travel for what safeguarding in schools will look like from September 2026 and beyond. More importantly, taking part in the consultation  allows school staff (and others) to express their views and we need the voices of those active in schools. Even if you...