This week’s school noticeboard contents:

Key Message

• Message from James Thomas, Interim Director of Children and Families

Important Updates, Deadlines & Actions

• SEND Reforms: Online Sessions for Parent Carers (5 & 7 May 2026)
• Launch of Section 175 Safeguarding Self‑Assessment 2026
• Fair Access Protocol – Consultation reminder
• Schools Finance
  • Schools Closing Balances 2025/26
  • Deficit Recovery Plan – updated template (2026/27)

Training & Events

• Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn: Understanding and responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people - 11 May 2026
• 2026 Early Years Transition Events – Book Your Place
• Early Years Leads: Summer Cluster Surgery – Book Your Place
• BASBM Summer Conference with EdExec Live – 6 May 2026

Key Message from James Thomas

Dear colleagues

The Voice of Children and Families is one of the four strategic priorities for our Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) and it was both a pleasure and an inspiration to chair our Safeguarding Leaders Assembly this week for a session led by young people and parents. As I said in my introduction, collaboration and co-production is not just the right thing to do but it is also the effective thing to do! We heard directly from young people who had experienced our safeguarding response and from members of the Family Advisory Board made up of parents who had also experience of our system. They were confident and able facilitators who got us to be open and honest about the strengths of our multi-agency safeguarding system as well as the weaknesses that we need to address from a child and family perspective. 

Both young people and parents were crystal clear about the critical role that having a trusted professional played for them – with the key attributes being demonstrating that they cared and that they were accessible, as one young person said, “just being there for me.”  We heard inspiring examples of practice where people had gone the extra mile, whether in residential workers providing support despite being on their day off or in the degree of emotional commitment demonstrated by judges in the Family Drug & Alcohol Court – so right across the partnership spectrum.

There was also a major challenge to us in their experience of multi-agency working – with too many examples of poor communication such that one agency did not know what another was doing, and of having to tell the same story multiple times afresh for each new worker or organisation. We reflected upon how difficult this is to get right when each professional’s primary context is their individual agency and its expectations and requirements – and that some of the answers to improvement lie in deepening our level of partnership working and integration so that those system conditions change. We noted the hope that lies in our Birmingham Families First programme and the piloting we are doing of a shared District Operating Model that has the potential to improve that context in which multi-agency safeguarding takes place.

James

SEND Reforms: Online Sessions for Parent Carers - 5 and 7 May 2026

Please signpost Parent Carers to the poster link below

Birmingham City Council, in partnership with the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum and SEND Socials, is hosting a series of online discussion sessions for parent carers to share their views on the new SEND Reforms.

Schools are asked to share and signpost families to the SEND Reforms poster below, so parent carers are aware of the opportunity and can book a place if they wish.

Please share this poster with your parent carer networks via newsletters, parent apps, email or other usual channels: SEND Reforms – Parent Carer Sessions Poster: https://www.localofferbirmingham.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SEND-Reforms-Poster.pdf

The poster includes full details of the sessions and registration links.

Launch of Section 175 Safeguarding Self‑Assessment 2026

We are approaching that time of year when schools are required to complete the Section 175 Safeguarding Self‑Assessment. This statutory requirement, set out under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 (and the equivalent under Section 157 for Academy Trusts), places a duty on all schools and education settings to ensure they have effective safeguarding arrangements in place. The Education Safeguarding Service also uses these findings to help plan and target support for schools.

This year, in response to the helpful feedback provided by schools, several questions within the self‑assessment have been revised. Information entered as part of last year’s audit should remain pre‑populated within the tool, enabling schools to review, update and amend responses where required. In addition, we will be introducing the facility to re‑open the audit tool from the end of September, enabling schools to use it as a live document for the remainder of the year and continue updating information as needed (further information will be provided by the service in the September DSL Network Briefing).

The S175 self‑assessment will open on Friday 1 May 2026, with a completion deadline of Friday 10 July 2026.

All Designated Safeguarding Leads registered with us will receive an email notification once the audit is live. If you are new to the role or not yet registered, please contact educationsafeguarding@birmingham.gov.uk

We will share feedback on the overall findings on Tuesday 15 September at 2pm. The link to register for this briefing session will be issued to schools for the start of September.

Fair Access Protocol – Consultation reminder

Headteachers will have received a direct email on Wednesday, 23 April inviting feedback on Birmingham City Council’s proposed revisions to the Fair Access Protocol.

This is a polite reminder to review the draft revised Protocol and share any comments or feedback via the online consultation: Revised Fair Access Protocol 2026 - Consultation.

The Fair Access Protocol plays an important role in ensuring that unplaced and vulnerable children are supported to access education as quickly as possible, while also ensuring that responsibility for placements is shared fairly across schools.

The consultation closes on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

If you have any questions, or would like to share feedback outside of the survey, please email: FairAccessConsultation@birmingham.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to engage with this important piece of work.

Schools Finance

Schools Closing Balances 2025/26

Thank you to schools for their cooperation with the 2025/26 year‑end process, including adhering to the revised timetable and attending the training sessions. This has enabled the process to be completed successfully.

We can now confirm the final closing balances for both revenue and capital for all maintained schools, nurseries and the PRU.

The year‑end closing balances are available here: School budget carry forward balances - 31 March 2026 | Birmingham City Council

These balances are final and cannot be amended. Schools must ensure that the closing balance shown in their local finance system matches the balance provided by Birmingham City Council.

We will shortly submit closing balances for each school to the Department for Education (DfE).

Deficit Recovery Plan – updated template

For schools in financial difficulty, the deficit recovery plan template has been updated for the 2026/27 financial year. Schools should use this template when submitting a deficit recovery plan:

• Deficit recovery plan template | Birmingham City Council
• Schools in financial difficulty | Birmingham City Council

For any queries, please contact schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk.

Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn: Understanding and responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people

The next Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn webinar, Understanding and responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people: practical guidance for schools, will take place on Monday 11 May at 4.00pm.

The session is open to all school staff and may be particularly relevant for DSLs, safeguarding teams, pastoral staff, SENCOs, behaviour leads, RSHE/PSHE leads, senior leaders and anyone with responsibility for pupil wellbeing or supervision.

Register here: Understanding & responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people: Practical guidance for schools

The webinar will be delivered by Dr Sophie King‑Hill, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and Head of Equity, Diversity and Belonging for the School of Social Policy and Society. Her research focuses on youth wellbeing, masculinity and sexual behaviours.

The session will provide an evidence‑informed understanding of sexual behaviours in children and young people, supporting schools to recognise and respond appropriately, reduce harm, and strengthen confidence and safeguarding practice in educational settings.

To join the Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn mailing list and receive updates on future webinars, email HealthySchools@birmingham.gov.uk.

2026 Early Years Transition Events – Book Your Place

Early years providers, Reception class teachers and school SENCOs are invited to attend Birmingham’s free annual Early Years Transition Events, supporting a smooth move to Reception for children starting school in September 2026.

These face‑to‑face district‑based events give early years settings and schools the opportunity to:

• share information about children moving into Reception
• discuss transition arrangements and documentation
• arrange visits between settings
• access advice from professionals including Area SENCo and Speech and Language Therapy teams

Which event should you attend?

• Early Years Providers: attend the event in the district of the child’s new school
• Reception Teachers & School SENCOs: attend the event in your school’s district

If you’re unsure which district applies, use the government constituency postcode search before registering: Government’s Constituencies Search

Register for your district event:

• Hall Green & Moseley District
• Erdington District
• Yardley District
• Northfield District
• Sutton Coldfield District
• Edgbaston District
• Hodge Hill & Solihull Norths District
• Ladywood District
• Selly Oak District
• Perry Barr District

We look forward to welcoming you at one of the 2026 transition events.

Early Years Leads: Summer Cluster Surgery – Book Your Place

Early Years Leaders working in Birmingham primary schools, school‑based nurseries or maintained nursery schools are invited to attend the Summer Early Years Consultant Cluster Surgeries.

These termly sessions are led by local authority Early Years Consultants and provide a supportive space to:

• explore key Early Years practice topics
• share experiences and challenges
• connect with colleagues across Birmingham
• build strong professional relationships that support better outcomes for children

You can attend any Cluster Surgery, regardless of your district

Upcoming Summer Cluster Surgeries

Central & East Cluster – Supporting Children with EAL in Early Years
(Ladywood, Hodge Hill, Solihull North & Yardley)

• In person - 20/5/2026 at 9.30am to 11.30am
• Online - 20/5/2026 at 6pm to 7.30pm

South Cluster – Best Start in Life (BSiL) Family Hubs
(Hall Green, Selly Oak, Northfield & Edgbaston)

• In person - 14/5/2026 at 10am to 12pm
• Online - 14/5/2026 at 6.30pm to 7.30pm

In‑person places are limited – early booking is recommended

More Early Years CPD Opportunities

A wide range of free professional development events for Early Years practitioners and leaders is available across Birmingham: www.birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org/events

BASBM Summer Conference with EdExec Live – 6 May 2026

School business professionals are invited to find out more about the upcoming BASBM Summer Conference, delivered in partnership with EdExec Live. The event includes a wide range of seminars covering topics such as wellbeing, leadership, legal updates and workforce challenges, allowing delegates to tailor the day to their professional interests.

Further information about the seminar programme and event details can be found via the links below:

• Find out more about the event here
• You can explore the full seminar programme here

If you are interested in attending, or would like further information, please email anne-marie@basbm.org.

To learn more about BASBM membership, please visit www.basbm.org.

Attendance and Inclusion Conference June 2026: Inclusion Gallery – Call for Entries

We’re inviting Birmingham schools and settings to contribute to the Children and Young People’s Inclusion Gallery at the Attendance and Inclusion Conference taking place in June.

Pupils can submit up to three simple visual pieces (photo/drawing + short caption) showing:

• what helps them feel happy, safe and that they belong, or
• what inclusion in Birmingham looks like to them.

Deadline: Friday 15 May 2026
See the poster here for full details and how to enter: Inclusion Gallery poster

A great opportunity to amplify pupil voice and showcase inclusion in your setting.

For any queries or further information, please contact Ann Scott, Partnership Inclusion Manager at Ann.Scott@birmingham.gov.uk

Young Women into Leadership (You WIL) Summit 2026 – Apply Now

Applications are now open for the Young Women into Leadership (You WIL) Summit 2026, an online leadership programme for girls aged 14–16 attending Birmingham schools.

Running 20–27 July 2026 (weekdays only), the summit brings together young women from across the world to explore leadership pathways through daily 2‑hour interactive sessions. Students will hear from inspiring female leaders across politics, public service, sport, STEM, media and international organisations, and work in small international teams to develop and present ideas.

Delivered in partnership with Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and the British Council, this is an excellent opportunity for students looking to build confidence, develop leadership skills and broaden aspirations.

Application deadline: Friday 12 June 2026
To request an application form or find out more, email: Europe.Int@birmingham.gov.uk

Jewish Living Experience Exhibition – Free School Visits (June 2026)

Schools are invited to book a free educational visit to the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition at Birmingham Central Synagogue, running from Monday 1 June to Friday 12 June 2026. The exhibition is an educational resource created by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to support teaching about Jewish life, beliefs and culture.

Suitable for primary and secondary pupils, the exhibition offers a hands‑on, interactive learning experience. Pupils will learn about Jewish beliefs and traditions, including festivals, life cycle events, traditional clothing and kosher food, through colourful display banners, photographs, handling objects and interactive activities. Optional worksheets are available for KS1, KS2 and KS3.

Visits also include an opportunity to see and learn about the synagogue sanctuary. Members of the local Jewish community will be present to answer pupils’ questions and help bring learning to life. Schools can also view a short video explaining the educational value of the exhibition: www.bod.org.uk/education

Schools are advised to allow around two hours per visit. Suggested session times are 9:45am–11:45am or 12:45pm–2:45pm, including a short synagogue tour. Timings can be adjusted if required, with a maximum of 30 pupils per session.

To book a visit or find out more, schools should email jewishlifeexhibition@gmail.com.

A free twilight CPD session for primary and secondary teachers will take place on Monday 1 June, 4:30pm–6:00pm, led by Anna Silver, Education Officer at the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Teachers can also register interest by emailing jewishlifeexhibition@gmail.com.

Important Travel Update – Saltley Viaduct Closure