“If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.”
Events this week:
February 10th- February 17th- National Apprenticeship Week 2025
February 1st- February 28th- Black History Month 2025
February 1st- February 28th- LGBT History Month 2025
February 11th- Safer Internet Day 2025
Legislation/Regulation of the week
Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2015)
The SEND Code of Practice 2015 refers to the Special Educational Needs and Disability framework, which provides guidance to organisations working with, and providing support to, children and young people (0 to 25 years old) with special educational needs and disabilities.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/398815/SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Please remember to review this in your policy/legislation review workbook)
Videos of the week
Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain’s Children
How the England footballer won public and political support for a deeply personal cause. Inside Marcus Rashford's campaign for free school meals and an end to child food poverty.
Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 60 mins)
Event of the week/month
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
National Apprenticeship Week, Monday 10th – Sunday 16th of February 2025, is the biggest week in the apprenticeship calendar, and 2025 promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The week-long event unites the entire apprenticeship community to celebrate everything that is brilliant about apprenticeships – bringing together apprentices, employers, training providers, teachers, careers advisers, parents and carers to be inspired about the opportunities that apprenticeships create.
During NAW, employers, apprentices and training providers come together to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships and the diverse range of opportunities available.
This includes events and other activities that aim to inspire people of all ages to consider an apprenticeship as a viable career path.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Safeguarding & ED & I
Cyberbullying: A growing Concern
Cyberbullying is a pervasive issue affecting many young people today. It involves using digital platforms like social media, messaging apps, and online forums to harass, threaten, or humiliate others. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen 24/7, making it difficult for victims to find respite. The anonymity of the internet often emboldens bullies, leading to more severe and relentless attacks.
The impact of cyberbullying can be devastating. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, and in extreme cases, it can lead to self-harm or suicide.
Focusing on virtual types of peer violence is now an urgent priority to safeguard the health and wellbeing of populations of adolescents and young people, and cyberbullying must be viewed as a major issue for societies.
Supporting and empowering our children and young people is essential for their safety, well-being and mental health.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 50 mins)
How county lines exploit online platforms to recruit young people
County lines operations often begin online, where criminals use social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms to recruit young people. They may initially approach potential recruits with offers of money, gifts, or a sense of belonging. These interactions can quickly escalate, with the young person being groomed to transport drugs or money across different areas.
Criminals exploit the internet's anonymity and reach to target vulnerable individuals, making it difficult for authorities to track and intervene. They also use encrypted messaging services to communicate and coordinate activities, further complicating law enforcement efforts.
Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp are frequently used by criminals to recruit and groom young people. These platforms' wide reach and ability to create fake profiles make them attractive for exploitation.
These platforms' popularity and features make them prime targets for exploitation, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and protective measures
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Childline Campaign- Behind the Screen
Our Behind the Screen campaign raises awareness of the sexually coerced extortion of boys and young men. Sexually coerced extortion is being blackmailed for nudes online, also called ‘sextortion’.
We want all young people to feel able to seek support for whatever they are going through and know that they can contact Childline for advice and support. With this campaign we specifically want boys and young men to know that it’s okay to reach out and that Childline is a place for them.
We have produced a supporting guide for anyone working or volunteering with young people. It covers what sexually coerced extortion is, how to spot it and how to support young people.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Adultifying Youth Custody: Learning lessons on transition to adulthood from the use of youth custody for young adults
The briefing, funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and informed by consultations with young people, practitioners, and sector experts, explores how the government’s decision to temporarily raise the age young people transfer from the children’s secure estate to the adult secure estate from 18 to 19 destabilised Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), impacting the care offered to both under and over 18s.
The temporary change to the transitions policy was put in place between November 2022 and October 2024 entirely in response to capacity pressures in the adult estate. The policy resulted in a 253% increase in the number of over 18s in the children’s estate, increasing pressures on an already struggling system. The report further highlights how opportunities to improve support for both children and young adults during this time have been missed and warns of the long-term risks of blurring the boundaries between youth and adult justice systems.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Talking about extreme online violence with young people
The revelations about the internet activity of Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three girls at a Southport dance class last summer, have renewed concerns about the availability of extreme violence online.
Experts, including child psychotherapists and internet safety advisers, agree that, although the details of the case are shocking, they present an ideal opportunity for parents to discuss the dangers of online violence, and its impact, with their children.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/24/talking-about-extreme-online-violence-with-young-people-advice-for-parents
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Violence against women and girls a ‘national emergency’
Police have warned violence against women and girls is a “national emergency” – with at least one in every 12 women a year being a victim.
A new report commissioned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council ( NPCC) and the College of Policing found nearly 3,000 violent crimes against women and girls are recorded every day, and more than one million such crimes were recorded by police in 2022/23. The exact number is expected to be much higher because of crimes that go unreported.
The report points out that violence against women and girls is at such a scale “it cannot be addressed through law enforcement alone”.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Health & Safety
Podcast: Mental health first aid kits
Mental health is as important to a child’s safety as their physical health; mental health issues can sometimes lead to safeguarding and child protection issues. By recognising when a child is struggling with their mental health, and intervening to provide appropriate support, professionals working with children can help prevent mental health problems from escalating into crisis.
A mental health first aid kit is one tool that can be used to help. The kit contains a selection of resources to help young people manage their mental health if they’re struggling, such as ways to distract oneself, relax or calm down, and pointers to further support.
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/2025/january/podcast-mental-health-first-aid-kits?utm_campaign=20250203_KIS_CASPAR_February03&utm_content=Podcast%3A%20mental%20health%20first%20aid%20kits&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
A Spiking Story- Eve
“My night started out like any other weekend – a few pints at the pub with my twin sister, Lauren, and some friends, and then out to a nightclub. I got my usual drink, a vodka and orange, before asking my sister to keep an eye on it while I went to the toilet.
After returning, I took a sip of my drink and agreed to watch the drinks so Lauren and her girlfriend could go to the toilet too. But within ten minutes, I knew something was very wrong.”
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
What is the TLC diet and can it improve your heart health?
If your cholesterol levels are higher than they should be, you may be more likely to have heart disease. However, there are steps you can take to lower your cholesterol and protect your health. One way is to follow the TLC diet - or Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet - to reduce your cholesterol. But what can you eat on the plan, and can it keep your heart healthier?
The TLC diet is a programme that uses diet, physical activity and weight management to lower cholesterol levels. It was developed by the National Institutes of Health in the US to help reduce your chance of heart disease and stroke. Unlike quick-fix weight loss diets - or fad diets - the TLC diet is more of a lifestyle change and is designed to be followed long-term.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Eight ways to stay happier this year, according to science
Some people are born to be happier than others. But whether you're the kind of person who sings in the shower and dances in the rain, or of a more dour inclination, contentment isn't just something that happens to us. We can all change our habits to coax more of it into our lives.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241231-eight-ways-to-stay-happier-this-year-according-to-science
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Wider Curriculum
Tackling inequalities in care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people
SCIE’s ‘Tackling inequalities in care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people’ project explores inequalities, such as delays in diagnosis, lack of reasonable adjustments, and ‘diagnostic overshadowing’, and the ways in which they can be addressed.
During the pandemic, a report from Public Health England (2020) found that people with learning disabilities were four times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the rest of the population, with researchers estimating the real rate may have been as high as six times, once accounting for unregistered deaths.
Prior to COVID-19, research (Heslop, The Lancet, 2014) revealed a lack of awareness, understanding and skills among the health and social care workforce about the health risks facing people with learning disabilities and how to ensure that that they receive the right care.
People with learning disabilities and autistic people continue to experience poor health outcomes in comparison to the rest of the population, leading to lower life expectancy and a higher number of avoidable deaths (House of commons committee report, 2024).
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
PEGI ratings: Ensuring Safe and age-appropriate gaming for all players
PEGI (Pan European Game Information) ratings are a crucial system used to classify video games and apps based on their content and suitability for different age groups. Established in 2003, PEGI helps consumers, particularly parents, make informed decisions when purchasing games.
In addition to age ratings, PEGI uses content descriptors to indicate specific types of content, such as violence, drugs, and online interactions. These descriptors help consumers understand why a game received its rating.
PEGI ratings are widely used across Europe and are an essential tool for ensuring that video game content is appropriate for players of different ages. By understanding these ratings, parents and guardians can better protect their children from unsuitable content and promote a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for all.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
An Educator’s Guide to Snapchat
Snapchat is one of the most frequently used messaging services for 13-18-year olds. To effectively communicate with students about Snapchat, it’s useful for educators to have an understanding of how Snapchat works.Snapchat is a communications app designed for people ages 13 and older that helps people feel close to those who matter most to them. We intentionally designed Snapchat to be different from traditional social media, with a focus on helping Snapchatters communicate with their close friends in an environment that prioritizes their safety and privacy.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Sustainability
Seven proven ways to help the planet in 2025
In 2024, the critical 1.5C threshold was breached for a full year for the first time, highlighting the urgent need to rapidly cut global emissions. Much of the work needed to curb climate change goes beyond the remit of individuals – from scaling up renewable energy to stopping the production of oil, gas and coal. But research shows that individual actions can add up too.
But it can sometimes feel overwhelming to know where to start. Which steps can actually make a meaningful difference? We have rounded up some of the most impactful actions you can take to live a more sustainable life this year, from eating more plant-based food to reducing your number of flights to buying more second-hand clothes.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
The people growing their own toilet paper
In Meru, a town in eastern Kenya, a lush, leafy plant sways over the landscape. Benjamin Mutembei, a Meru resident, is growing the Plectranthus barbatus plant – not for food, but to use as toilet paper. He started growing the plant in 1985. "I learned about it from my grandfather and have been using it ever since. It's soft and has a nice smell," he says.
Plectranthus barbatus is a leafy plant that can grow up to 2m (6.6ft) tall. Its leaves are roughly the size of an industrial toilet paper square and emit a minty, lemony fragrance. Covered in tiny hairs, the leaves have a soft texture. This plant thrives in warm tropical temperatures and partial sunlight and is widely grown across Africa, where it is sometimes used to demarcate property boundaries.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241203-the-people-growing-their-own-sustainable-toilet-paper-plant
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
An Idiot’s guide to change the world- Can these technologies save the day?
Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, making a fast transition to clean energy crucial to the solution. Fortunately, the technologies for a sustainable energy system already exist. Wind, solar and batteries all offer a promising pathway to a healthy and liveable planet, but what are some of the other, lesser-known technologies that could help save the day?
In this episode, Gail and Loyiso look at two Global Goals and discover how new innovations (Goal 9) are offering solutions to greener, cheaper and cleaner energy (Goal 7). They ask Gabrielle Walker, a leading voice on carbon capture technologies, how we can remove the carbon that’s already in the atmosphere, they find out from Vaitea Cowan, founder of Enapter, if Green Hydrogen will make it OK to fly again and ask plasma physicist Tammy Ma, if one day we will be able to generate unlimited energy like the stars.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 60 mins)
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