The Lead Member | News

Ofsted pauses apprenticeship unit inspections until April 2027

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:47:25 +0000

The article details Ofsted's decision to suspend inspections of apprenticeship units until April 2027 at the earliest, offering providers a twelve-month window to establish effective operational frameworks. This respite allows further education institutions and training providers to focus on developing robust delivery models without the immediate prospect of regulatory scrutiny. For local authority cabinet members with responsibility for skills and employment pathways, this policy shift represents a significant change in the oversight landscape. Whilst the pause offers temporary relief to providers, lead members must remain vigilant regarding local apprenticeship quality through alternative scrutiny arrangements until full inspection regimes resume in 2027.

‘Education for all’: SEND reform bill confirmed in King’s Speech 2026

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:33:22 +0000

King Charles also outlines commitment to 'continue to invest in apprenticeships and tackle youth unemployment'

The post ‘Education for all’: SEND reform bill confirmed in King’s Speech 2026 first appeared on FE Week.

‘Education for all’: SEND reform bill announced

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:14:56 +0000

King's Speech outlines 'generational reforms' to the SEND system

The post ‘Education for all’: SEND reform bill announced first appeared on Schools Week.

Parents say proposed closure of Sheffield Hallam nursery linked to low funded hours offer

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Parents impacted by the proposed closure of an on-campus nursery in Sheffield have criticised Sheffield Hallam University’s (SHU) approach to offering funded hours as a key reason for a decline in numbers using the setting.

Early Dyslexia Identification 'Absent at Worst' in English Councils, Warns Charity Chief

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Ellen Broome, chief executive of the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), has issued a stark warning that early identification of dyslexia remains "inconsistent at best and absent at worst" across England. Speaking about new research into local authority practices, Broome argued that identifying dyslexia cannot remain optional or depend on a postcode lottery, but must become a systematic part of children's educational journeys. The research reveals significant variation in how English councils approach the identification and support of dyslexia, leaving many children without crucial early interventions. Broome emphasised that without consistent screening and recognition, children with specific learning difficulties miss out on targeted support during critical developmental periods, often leading to wider attainment gaps and disengagement from education. For Lead Members and cabinet portfolios responsible for SEND and education, this highlights pressing questions about local identification pathways and resource allocation. The findings suggest that many authorities may need to review their early identification processes, workforce training, and partnerships with health services to ensure dyslexia is spotted early and support is put in place before children fall behind their peers.

Wes Streeting urged to crack down on ‘unregulated and bogus’ infant sleep consultants

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The UK’s leading infant sleep charity and an MP have written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting backing campaigners calls to crack down on self-described experts giving unsafe infant sleep advice to parents.

AI leadership apprenticeship units: right ambition, wrong delivery model

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:00:57 +0000

Ministers want AI-ready leaders, but their own training model risks holding them back

The post AI leadership apprenticeship units: right ambition, wrong delivery model first appeared on FE Week.

Star-studded Comic Relief campaign warns one in six parents put children to bed hungry due to rising living costs

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

More than one in six parents say they have put their children to bed hungry or without enough food at least once a week in the last 12 months, due to being unable to afford food, warns a new campaign by Comic Relief and Sainsburys.

DfE programmes to support disadvantaged children in the North East and coastal areas to launch in September

The Lead Member — Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Department for Education has announced further details of two initiatives to boost life chances for groups of children living in some of England’s most deprived areas.

US university’s commencement speaker reveals he will pay off students’ final-year loans

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:24:26 +0000

Anil Kochhar hopes textile graduates of North Carolina State can leave with ‘greater freedom to pursue goals’

Anil Kochhar, a North Carolina State University donor, gave graduates of the school’s Wilson College of Textiles a lot more than just words of wisdom when he delivered their keynote commencement address recently.

The Indian American entrepreneur also announced that he would pay off any student loans taken out by the college’s graduating pupils during their senior year.

Thousands of University of Nottingham staff told they are at risk of redundancy

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:21:36 +0000

Institution says it could run out of money by 2031 and wants to cut more than 600 academic and support posts

Thousands of staff at the University of Nottingham have been told to prepare for redundancy as part of swingeing financial cuts that academics say will harm the institution’s future.

The university’s administration sent letters to 2,700 staff on Tuesday, notifying them their role was at risk of redundancy after its leadership said it could run out of money by 2031.

SEND reforms will target ‘shameful’ transitions from school

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:34:49 +0000

Ministers are eyeing tougher checks on schools’ handovers to colleges

The post SEND reforms will target ‘shameful’ transitions from school first appeared on Schools Week.

Capital City College staff strike during exams over workload

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:06:03 +0000

Leaders criticise ‘disappointing’ union move

The post Capital City College staff strike during exams over workload first appeared on FE Week.

Strengthen oversight of sixth form expansion, report urges DfE

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:07:53 +0000

Researchers also call for council powers to tackle 'cold spots' in post-16 provision

The post Strengthen oversight of sixth form expansion, report urges DfE first appeared on Schools Week.

SEND reforms will target ‘shameful’ transitions into FE

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:21:47 +0000

Ministers are eyeing tougher checks on schools’ handovers to colleges, but no promise of transport cash

The post SEND reforms will target ‘shameful’ transitions into FE first appeared on FE Week.

Room for 'significant improvement' for child wellbeing in UK as country is ranked 24th out of 37 countries

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The UK’s child wellbeing ranking has improved in six years, however there continues to be room for ‘significant’ improvement, according to UNICEF which calls on the UK Government to take action from children’s earliest years.

Dr Sally Payne: Why the early years can’t afford to wait for occupational therapy

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Dr Sally Payne, professional advisor for children, young people and families at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists who work with children are increasingly sounding the alarm: delays in accessing occupational therapy support are harming children and families and the impact is felt most acutely in the early years.

Reform childminder funding for three-and four-year-olds to boost recruitment, Coram Pacey says

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

A childminder-specific approach to funding for three-and four-year-olds in England is needed to reverse the decline in childminders, according to campaigners.

Kids Planet expands internationally with acquisition in Ireland

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Kids Planet Day Nurseries, the second largest childcare provider in the UK, has expanded internationally, acquiring Irish nursery group Tigers Childcare.

WorldSkills UK chief to lead City & Guilds Foundation

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 11:00:08 +0000

Ben Blackledge, chief executive of WorldSkills UK, has been appointed as the new leader of the City & Guilds Foundation. He will continue in his current role to oversee Team UK's preparations and performance at the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai later this year, ensuring continuity during the leadership transition. The move brings together two significant players in the technical education sector. WorldSkills UK champions vocational excellence through skills competitions and training programmes, whilst City & Guilds is one of the country's foremost awarding organisations for technical qualifications. The appointment highlights the strategic importance of vocational pathways in preparing young people for employment and supporting local economic needs. For Lead Members overseeing skills strategies, this leadership change comes at a critical time for the sector, as local areas work to align provision with labour market demands through apprenticeships, T-levels and adult learning initiatives.

Youth mobility scheme disagreement hampering reset of UK-EU relations

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:28:20 +0000

Deal was expected by end of month but talks hit buffers over cap on number of people entering UK and tuition fees

Significant gaps remain in negotiations on the reset in relations between the UK and the EU despite Keir Starmer’s latest pledge to put Britain “at the heart of Europe” after last week’s election drubbing.

The UK wants to limit the number of young people from the EU who come into the country as part of a post-Brexit youth mobility scheme to below 50,000, it has emerged.

Babies Under One Account for Third of Serious Safeguarding Incidents

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000

New data reveals that babies under one year old continue to face the highest risk of serious harm, representing one third of all serious safeguarding incidents recorded between 2024 and 2025. This stark statistic reinforces the unique vulnerability of infants who depend entirely on adults for protection and care, and highlights the vital importance of early identification of risks within the home environment. The findings carry significant implications for local safeguarding partnerships, health visitors, and early years services. With babies wholly reliant on their carers, the quality of maternal mental health support, parental substance misuse services, and domestic abuse interventions becomes paramount. The data suggests that current early help and universal services must remain sharply focused on families with newborns, ensuring that health visitors and midwives are equipped to spot warning signs before they escalate into crises. For Lead Members, this report serves as a reminder that safeguarding is not only about responding to incidents but preventing them through investment in the earliest years. Strengthening the interface between maternity services, health visiting, and children's social care—whilst addressing the poverty and housing pressures that often compound risks—remains essential to reducing these preventable tragedies.

Students at risk if universities go bust, say MPs

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:17:10 +0000

An Education Select Committee report finds the government needs to make urgent plans for universities facing insolvency.

Calls for 'urgent action' on baby-sleep industry after BBC investigation

The Lead Member — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:11:18 +0000

The BBC investigation revealed how some self-described sleep experts have been giving new parents advice that goes against NHS guidelines.

Report Urges Devolution of Powers to Mend Fragmented Post-16 System

The Lead Member — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:01:25 +0000

A recent report has identified significant fragmentation within the post-16 education and skills system, urging ministers to grant local authorities enhanced powers to coordinate provision effectively. The research highlights how the current landscape—divided between further education colleges, apprenticeship providers, and other training routes—often creates disjointed experiences for young people transitioning from compulsory schooling into vocational or academic study. The findings argue for stronger local leadership to knit together disparate funding streams and providers, ensuring that skills training better aligns with regional economic requirements and employment opportunities. For Lead Members responsible for children's services and economic development, this represents a potential shift toward place-based planning that could improve outcomes for the 16-18 cohort while addressing local skills gaps. The call for devolution comes as councils continue to navigate complex relationships with central government departments and independent providers, seeking greater influence over the strategic direction of post-16 education within their boundaries.

Birmingham City University urged not to axe Black studies MA

The Lead Member — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:01:07 +0000

More than 100 figures sign open letter criticising closure, just months after MA was launched

More than 100 academics, writers and activists from around the world have signed an open letter condemning plans to close an MA in Black studies and global justice at Birmingham City University (BCU), just months after it was first launched.

The move follows the controversial closure of BCU’s undergraduate course in Black studies in 2024, and has prompted warnings that Black studies are being erased from UK higher education.

Ministers scrap physics and languages bursaries for foreign trainees

The Lead Member — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:24:55 +0000

Experts warn this is 'not a time for scaling back' recruitment tactics, and criticise surprise mid-year change

The post Ministers scrap physics and languages bursaries for foreign trainees first appeared on Schools Week.

Teaching assistant who spat at pupil is jailed for child cruelty

The Lead Member — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:51:48 +0000

Danuska Pullia, of Iwade, in Kent, was sentenced to four years in prison for four counts of child cruelty at Maidstone Crown Court

75 roles at risk at City & Guilds as new owner confirms restructure

The Lead Member — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:20:49 +0000

It follows CEO and CFO exits and comes amid multiple investigations into the awarding body's controversial sale

The post 75 roles at risk at City & Guilds as new owner confirms restructure first appeared on FE Week.

Elections 2026: What Results Could Mean for Early Years Across the UK

The Lead Member — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The 2026 elections bring significant political change across the United Kingdom, with local council contests in England alongside fresh mandates for the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru in Wales. These electoral outcomes will shape the policy environment for early years provision, potentially influencing funding settlements, childcare entitlements, and the regulatory framework governing nursery places and family support services. For local government cabinet members responsible for children's services, understanding these shifting political dynamics is essential. New administrations may bring revised priorities for the Early Years Foundation Stage, changes to the delivery of free childcare hours, or alterations to the relationship between central government and local authorities. The results could also impact workforce strategies, capital investment in early years settings, and the integration of health visiting services with family hubs. While the full implications will take months to crystallise through budget allocations and legislative programmes, Lead Members should prepare for potential policy divergence between England, Scotland and Wales. This presents both challenges for cross-border consistency and opportunities to innovate in response to distinct national priorities for giving children the best start in life.