From Experience to Excellence: 25 Years of Service and the ILM Level 7 By Anna This year marks a significant personal and professional milestone as I celebrate 25 years of service with Nottingham City Council Children’s Services. Over the past two and a half decades, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated colleagues […]
Under 25 Funding Update As part of a major government roll-out to break down barriers to technical education and deliver 50,000 new youth apprenticeships, landmark changes to apprenticeship funding have officially taken effect as of August 1, 2026. The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that 100% of training and assessment costs will now be
National Opportunity Day 2026 05/08/2026 Opening Doors to Potential: Workplace Learning as a Gateway to Education National Opportunity Day 2026 is a day of action and awareness focused on expanding access to meaningful educational pathways, career development, and sustainable employment. While unemployment figures may shift, the underlying “skills gap”, the disparity between the skills employer’s
Recognizing Online Grooming, Misinformation, and AI-Generated Extremism How Digital Extremism Operates Today Radicalization rarely begins with explicit political manifestos. Modern extremist networks use sophisticated methods to normalize harmful ideas, build trust, and gradually isolate individuals from support networks. 1. Online Gaming & Private Messaging Communities Extremist actors frequently target young users through interactive spaces like
100% Funded Training for Under-25s: How the 2026/27 Rules Benefit Small Businesses in the East Midlands What’s Changing on 1st August, 2026? Historically, non-levy employers were required to contribute a 5% co-investment fee toward the total cost of an apprenticeship, with the government covering the remaining 95%. While 5% represented good value, it remained a
Martyn’s Law update The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Act aims to improve organisational preparedness and protective security across the UK. It requires certain premises and events to take reasonably practicable steps to prepare for potential terrorist attacks and to help keep people safe in the event
Safeguarding and Prevent July Update Safeguarding and wellbeing in the news New guidance for parents and carers as AI-manipulated images of children become a growing concern Parents and carers are being alerted to the growing threat of children’s images shared online being manipulated into AI generated sexual abuse material. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and
Malala Day 12/07/2026 Link to website As we reflect on Malala Day, the conversation around global education has never been more urgent. Despite years of advocacy, progress is hitting a stubborn wall. It’s easy to look at high-profile advocacy and assume things are steadily improving. But the numbers tell a more challenging story. Today, 122
Plastic Free Challenge July 2026 Link to website Reducing single-use plastic has many benefits and this July we are pledging to reduce and recycle even more. Use the calendar below to see some steps you can use to decrease your plastic use and make a difference for your environment.
Prostart partners in the Midlands: Creating New Pathways for Apprentices in the East Midlands The economic landscape of the East Midlands is evolving rapidly. As industries modernise and the demand for specialized, real-world skills reaches an all-time high, traditional education pathways are no longer the sole route to a successful career. By building robust training
