“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary”
Events this week:
March 1st- March 31st- Brain Injury Awareness Month 2025
March 1st- March 31st – Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2025
March 1st- March 31st – Walk All Over Cancer 2025
March 10th- March16th- National Hydration and Nutrition Week 2025
March 11th- March 17th- International Parental Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
March 12th- National No Smoking Day 2025
March 14th- World Sleep Day 2025
March 16th- Disabled Access Day 2025
March 16th- Young Carers Action Day 2025
Legislation/Regulation of the week
Ronan’s Law
‘Ronan’s Law’ to see toughest crackdown yet on knife sales online. Stricter rules for online retailers selling knives will be introduced by the government, along with tougher penalties for failing to enforce them, as we pursue every avenue to protect young people from knife crime.
Following tragedies where the unlicensed sale of these weapons online has led to young people being killed, retailers will be required to report any bulk or suspicious-looking purchases of knives on their platforms to police to prevent illegal resales happening across social media accounts.
(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
My Life, My Choice
As British lawmakers consider making assisted dying legal in England and Wales, Paul Brand talks to people on both sides of the argument as the debate about it becomes more heated.
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
Disabled Access Day 2025
Disabled Access Day, celebrated every two years on the 16th March, began as a day of celebration and awareness, dedicated to highlighting the importance of accessibility and inclusiveness for all, especially for individuals with disabilities.
This important campaign encourages people, businesses, and organisations to understand the challenges faced by disabled people and to take action towards creating a more accessible and inclusive environment. The event sheds light on the necessity of accessible spaces that accommodate everyone’s needs.
The significance of Disabled Access Day cannot be overstated. Accessibility is not a privilege but a fundamental right. For individuals with disabilities, access barriers can severely limit their ability to participate in everyday activities, from employment and education to socialising and leisure. Disabled Access Day shines a spotlight on these issues, promoting a dialogue that can lead to real change.
(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
Recognising the unseen: Understanding hidden challenges
When we think about disabilities, we often picture visible signs such as mobility aids or physical differences. However, many children live with hidden disabilities that may not be immediately apparent but significantly impact their daily lives. Conditions such as autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, mental health disorders, chronic illnesses, and learning disabilities can affect a child's ability to navigate nursery, social settings, and public spaces.
Because these disabilities are not always obvious, children may face misunderstanding, nonattendance, or even scepticism from peers and adults. This can lead to increased vulnerability, emotional distress, and barriers to accessing the support they need. Without proper recognition, children with hidden disabilities may struggle with self-esteem, anxiety, and a sense of isolation.
We must foster an inclusive, understanding environment where all children feel seen, supported, and safe. Recognising hidden disabilities means approaching each child with empathy, patience, and a willingness to adapt. Small changes - such as offering extra processing time, using clear and consistent communication, and creating sensory-friendly spaces - can make a world of difference in ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
(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)
Where’s my keys, where’s my phone, where’s my knife…
Is sadly a daily mantra for many young people across the UK when leaving their homes. Carrying isn’t just for credibility or reputation but for some often what they see as a method in order to protect or safeguard themselves from being attacked by others.
In recent data it highlights how Knife crime is spreading across the UK, with an average of four people stabbed to death every week, and nearly 50,000 serious knife crimes reported in England from July 2023 to June 2024.
One way the government is attempting to tackle this is to reduce the access to knives for young people. Stricter rules for online retailers selling knives will be introduced by the government, along with tougher penalties for failing to enforce them, as we pursue every avenue to protect young people from knife crime.
‘Ronan’s law’ means retailers will need to report suspicious and bulk purchases of knives on their platforms to police, with tougher sentences for selling knives to under 18s.
(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)
Domestic abuse: Rapid video response
Rapid Video Response is a victim-focused approach which provides an alternative way for domestic abuse victims to speak to a police officer following a report of domestic abuse – without having to come into a police station or have police officers visit their home in a police car.
RVR also enables victims to receive a police response who would otherwise be physically unable to attend police stations, are worried about reprisals or are anxious about police attendance at their home.
RVR is a virtual policing response available to victims of domestic abuse. Victims receive the same service as they would if an officer attended in-person, but without any delay. This service involves the reporting of any crime, completion of a risk assessment, receiving safeguarding advice and investigative steps needed to advance the case.
(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)
Government permanently ends detention of girls in YOIs
The government has permanently barred the use of young offender institutions (YOI) to detain girls sentenced to custody.
The move was among recommendations made in an independent review into the health issues facing girls in custody, especially threats to their mental health.
“The review found that despite tireless efforts of staff involved in their care, YOIs cannot offer the therapeutic, trauma-informed support these girls need,” said the government.
(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)
Online Scams: Recognising risk and safeguarding with confidence- Webinar
Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, making it crucial for students to recognize red flags. Scammers often lure people in with unbelievable deals. Free money, prizes, or high-value items at little or no cost. Huge discounts on popular products from unknown websites. Scammers create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions.
Scammers may ask for sensitive details. Emails or messages from unofficial or misspelled email addresses or via DM. Many scam messages contain misspelled words, odd phrasing, or poor grammar, generic greetings instead of your actual name and a mix of formal and informal language that feels unnatural. Payments being made by Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc., wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.
(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. 60 mins)
Health & Safety
Road Safety
As the weather improves, we're spending more time outdoors! But are your children safe around roads? It’s not just about walking - children are also using bicycles, scooters, roller skates, skateboards, e-scooters, and hoverboards. Regardless of how they travel, they must stay aware of road safety risks.
Last year, there were 19,092 pedestrian accidents and 14,345 involving cyclists, with 12,799 of those incidents involving children aged 0-16.
(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)
Allergies in Early Years
Allergies are a critical concern in early years settings, where the safety and wellbeing of children must always be a top priority. It is essential for practitioners to have robust strategies in place to manage allergies effectively, ensuring that children with specific needs are protected.
Recognising the importance of this issue, the Department for Education (DfE) has recently updated its guidance. This updated framework offers invaluable information to help early years practitioners implement best practices, minimise risks, and create a safe, inclusive environment for all children in their care.
(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)
Creating a mental health first aid kit
Self regulation strategies are often encouraged when exploring how best to maintain a good level of well-being. But for some not knowing where to start or having the time too creates obstacles to the formulation of support strategies, tools or first aid kits.
A toolkit could include:
· ways to distract yourself
· what you can do to relax or calm down
· things that have helped you feel good in the past
· who to talk to if you need support.
Everyone is different, so your first aid kit should be unique to you. Think about what’s helped in the past or what you want to try.
Resources such as that on childline provide a self assessment template for people to explore and build unique strategies for their own mental health first aid kit
(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
Supporting parents-to-be: Perinatal care and guidance
The NSPCC is relaunching its Baby Steps service, a perinatal education programme aimed at supporting parents-to-be. Currently undergoing redevelopment to improve the programme, Baby Steps will be piloted over a year through NSPCC hubs and partner organisations starting in summer 2025. The programme focuses on teaching parenting skills, with sessions covering baby development, childbirth, and self-care for new parents and their baby.
(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)
Legal housing rights for 16 and 17s
Legislation is clear that young people aged 16 or 17 who are without a home and parental care have the legal right to help and protection from their local authority children’s services, this includes access to safe accommodation when they are sleeping rough or homeless.
The reality is though that often for those young people who do become homeless, a large number are not assessed or are not housed under the right legislation. Many are not given accurate information about their rights leading to uninformed decisions that can have a huge impact on their lives. Importantly, vulnerable 16- and 17-year-olds are not being given access to an advocate, and where appropriate, legal aid. Or the effect of delay and local authority boundaries is that of gate keeping and waiting it out until they turn 18.
https://www.coram.org.uk/resource/the-door-is-still-closed/#:~:text=This%20report%2C%20'The%20Door%20is,support%20they%20are%20entitled%20to.
(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)
Concerns women's equality is 'going backwards'
Three high-profile Welsh women have raised concerns that women's equality could be "going backwards". Research in 2024 showed 47% of people said when it comes to giving women equal rights with men "things have gone far enough in Great Britain".
Johanna Robinson, Welsh government advisor on violence against women and girls, said of those she speaks to "a significant proportion of men think gender equality has gone too far". She added although there had been progression and positive change, it had also created anger in some men.
(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
Heat pumps and EVs – how to fight climate change from home
Households will need to make significant changes to their lifestyles to help the UK reach net zero by 2050, says the government's independent climate advisers.
In its latest advice, known as the carbon budget, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) says by 2040, 80% of cars should be electric and one in two homes have a heat pump.
(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 Price of Progress: What Cutting Aid Really Means for People’s Lives
In 2015, world leaders made a promise. They pledged to end poverty, tackle climate change and create a fairer, more sustainable world by 2030. These promises became the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals—a blueprint for a better future for everyone, everywhere.
But in 2025, the world looks very different.
Geopolitical tensions are rising, economies are strained and global solidarity is weakening. Conflicts are displacing millions, climate disasters are intensifying, and the cost of living is hitting communities everywhere.
At a time when global cooperation is needed more than ever, too many governments are pulling back instead of stepping up.
(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- Nurturing Nature
Protecting life on land means protecting ourselves. Natural ecosystems are the best technology to help feed populations, cool the planet, provide fresh water and clean the air we breathe. But our biodiversity is under severe threat. Globally, over 1.2 million plant and animal species are predicted to face extinction in the coming decades. Experts now believe we’re in the midst of a ‘sixth mass extinction’, the first in Earth’s history to be driven primarily by human activity.
In this episode Gail and Loyiso ponder the wonderful services nature provides and take a closer look at the Global Goal to protect life on land (Goal 15). They ask renowned conservationist Gerardo Ceballos, who is credited with spearheading the first Endangered Species Act of Mexico, how we can halt the loss of biodiversity, and hear from indigenous activist Archana Soreng, why it all starts with considering ourselves as being part of nature itself.
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