Introducing a new integrated model for safeguarding across Warwickshire

Warwickshire is introducing a new, integrated model for safeguarding children and adults in the county. This means that the Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) and Warwickshire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) will be replaced by a single body called Safeguarding Warwickshire.

The new model will build on the strengths of both pre-existing safeguarding boards to enable the partnership to develop new ways of working, avoid duplication, and improve outcomes for children, young people and adults.

The creation of Safeguarding Warwickshire follows the Children and Social Work Act 2017, introducing new flexible arrangements for safeguarding children. The local authority, the Police and Clinical Commissioning Groups now have an equal and shared duty to work together (in partnership with other relevant agencies) to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in a local area. Previously, the responsibility for establishing local safeguarding board arrangements has been the sole duty of the local authority.

Warwickshire has taken this opportunity to integrate the safeguarding arrangements for children and adults within a single model to allow for a family focused approach to working across the safeguarding landscape.

The Warwickshire Safeguarding model will be governed by the following structure:

• Warwickshire Safeguarding Executive Board – Accountable body for safeguarding children and adults
• Four subgroups – Education, Safeguarding Reviews, Exploitation, and Prevention & Early Intervention. These groups will report to the Executive Board and link into the wider partnership work
• Warwickshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Group and Warwickshire Safeguarding Adults Partnership Group – These groups will be responsible for driving quality, learning and improvement work

The new safeguarding partnership will develop and strengthen working relationships with:

• Health and Wellbeing Board
• Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board
• Local Family Justice Board
• Quality Surveillance Groups
• Corporate Parenting Board
• Youth Justice Board
• Youth Cabinet
• Local Healthwatch

Warwickshire’s new partnership arrangements will officially come into effect from 29 September 2019.

To read more and read the 'NEW: Safeguarding Partnership Arrangement', please go to www.safeguardingwarwickshire.co.uk/

Warwickshire Music announce two major new orchestras

Warwickshire Music, in partnership with Coventry and Solihull music services, is delighted to announce the creation of two exciting new ensembles hoping to attract musically-minded students from across the region. 

Regional Youth Orchestra

The new Regional Youth Orchestra will meet three times a year for a two-day orchestral course, led by tutors from all three music services and top quality guest conductors, followed by a performance in a major local venue.  The University of Warwick Arts Centre has agreed to be the home for this exciting new group and will host the first two courses, (January and March 2020), with a performance in the Butterworth Hall in March. The third orchestral session will take place at the Warwick Schools’ Foundation in Warwick at the end of June as part of their week long Arts Festival.

Working in partnership with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the courses will provide many more opportunities for collaborative adventures with both the NYO and NYO Inspire Orchestra.

Brass, wind and percussion students will be invited to take part in the Regional Youth Orchestra and further details on membership will be available soon.

Regional Strings Orchestra

The Regional Strings Orchestra will form the core of the brand new Regional Youth Orchestra launching in January 2020. 

Applications are invited from advanced players of grade 6 standard and above who are in full time education.

Orchestra rehearsals will take place on Fridays from 7pm to 9pm at Kings High School, Warwick and will be directed by Artistic Director of Music at the school, Mr. Alex Laing, who also conducts at a national level for the Children's Orchestra and Youth String Orchestra. The first rehearsal will be held on Friday 20 September.

Further information about both groups can be found at www.warwickshiremusichub.org/

Space Chase Summer Reading Challenge

FAO Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher, Literacy Coordinator, Librarian, SENCO

It's FUN!    It's FREE!    It's LOCAL!

Every year, the Reading Agency run a Summer Reading Challenge for children aged 4-11 with libraries across the country participating. Last year, in Warwickshire, over 3700 children took part in the challenge.

The theme of this year's challenge - Space Chase - commemorates the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. 

Once again children of primary school age are encouraged to join the challenge to read six books of their choice over the holidays.  A fun way to keep up reading levels for the return to school!  They collect incentives along the way, and a medal and certificate if they complete the challenge. There are also space-related activities in libraries across the period....and it is all FREE.

By championing the Summer Reading Challenge in your school, you will be continuing to support your pupils’ learning during the holidays, ensuring they return ready for a great start to the new academic year.

The challenge launches on 13 July and ends on Friday 6 Sept. 

You can use this powerpoint presentation in your school assembly to help encourage pupils to take part in the challenge and there are additional free resources including posters and activity sheets on The Reading Agency website.

For any queries please email libraryevents@warwickshire.gov.uk

New Autism Lead joins the Specialist Teaching Service

My name is Eve Godwin and I have just been appointed as the Autism Lead for the Specialist Teaching Service.  I lead a team of autism specialists who are passionate about supporting schools to ensure the best outcomes for Warwickshire pupils with autism.

Within the team we have a wide range of experience and post graduate qualifications that enable us to provide schools with the best possible advice, strategies and training so that schools feel well supported to meet the needs of their learners. 

We can work in a wide variety of ways with schools to support pupils with autism.  Some of the services we are able to provide include:

• Developing or enhancing strategic systems
• Building staff knowledge to ensure higher outcomes and greater inclusivity
• Offering advice and support for parents
• Working directly with pupils

We recognise every person with autism is unique and every school is different, we can adapt the services we offer and personalise provision to suit the needs of the people involved. 

I look forward to working with you in the future and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at evegodwin@warwickshire.gov.uk