Events List

Understanding Ofsted inspections of safeguarding New for the 2024-2025 academic year, this session outlines how Ofsted inspects safeguarding in schools. Attendees will be taken through the timeline of a safeguarding inspection, hear about our analysis of inspections under the latest framework and ensure that they are as ready as can be for when they receive ‘The Call’.

This course provides practical advice and guidance to managers on how best to utilise probationary periods, how to undertake probationary reviews and how to complete, extend and terminate a probationary period. The course is CPD accredited for 2.15 hours and is aimed at members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members and line managers that may be involved in the management or oversight of staff within their probationary period.

This CPD accredited 2-hour course provides training on safer recruitment in line with Part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is not a new family friendly right. However, we have seen a huge increase in the number of requests received by clients for this type of leave, particularly since the pandemic. This session will provide any overview of how to deal with a SPL request, so that you are far more equipped to deal with any questions or requests from staff moving forward.

This course will provide an overview of the appraisal process and it’s importance, for those who are newer to the management of appraisals. The course will also provide a practical guide to preparing for and holding any appraisal/mid-year review meetings. The course is CPD accredited for 2.5 hours and is aimed at those that are either new to overseeing the appraisal process, or would like a refresher on best practice – this could include newer members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members or middle managers.

This CPD accredited 5-hour course equips DSLs and their deputies to fulfil their role in line with statutory guidance and gives practical tips to Safeguarding Leads for their settings.

The next two years are likely to see some of the biggest changes to employment law in recent years, under the Employment Rights Bill (ERB). Initial changes, expected later this year, will focus on reforming existing trade union laws - strengthening trade union rights and adding extra protection for employees. Further wide-ranging changes are due to follow in 2026. This essential Breakfast Briefing is designed to help schools and trusts understand the implications of these changes and take practical steps to prepare.

Many senior and middle leaders will spend much of their time dealing with difficult HR matters. This session is designed to provide some top tips to reduce the time spent on HR matters and help leaders grapple with tricky complex HR issues.

Fixed term contracts are regularly used within the sector, but are not always used correctly or in line with best practice. In this session we will explore the best ways to utilise FTC and ensure that you are aware of (or minimise the risk) of any claim where they are not being used or terminated in accordance with best practice.

The course is intended to provide an overview of the capability process, understand when this process should be implemented and how, explore how to effectively manage the process and capability meetings to support staff and address concerns. In addition, the session will also explore the potential outcomes of this process and identify when an employee might be able to appeal against any decisions made. The course is CPD accredited for 3 hours and is aimed at members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members and line managers that may be involved in managing and supporting staff performance.

Briefing back by popular demand! The Education Sector is one of the few remaining sectors that relies heavily on more than purely factual references. We receive questions and queries from clients daily about the content of references, both in terms of what can be provided/responding to requests and things that have been said (or possibly worse, not said!) within a reference. Please join us to discuss the potential pitfalls when giving and receiving references and how best to avoid these.

This course focuses on the importance of having difficult conversations, how to prepare for these discussions and how to deal with difficult responses from staff. The course will include the opportunity to work through a number of example scenarios, where difficult responses have been given by staff, to allow managers to best prepare should they be faced with this type of response in a real-life management situation. The course is CPD accredited for 2.5 hours and is aimed at members of staff that are involved in line management who may, at times, need to hold difficult conversations with members of their team or colleagues that they line manage. This could include members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members or middle managers.

This course is designed to help delegates get a greater understanding of HR best practice, including statutory requirements related to pay and conditions of service that are specific to education. It focusses on introducing key HR administrative processes, procedures needed to ensure best practice and statutory compliance in education settings. Delegates will work through practical exercises, focussed on possible scenarios around the management of staff in schools. The course is made up of 4 x 3 hour modules delivered over 3 weeks

This session provides an overview of a fair recruitment process and the potential pitfalls to avoid. The session also covers the key requirements in terms of KCSIE throughout the full recruitment process. The session would be suitable for members of SLT, SBMs and HR staff that may be involved in the recruitment process.

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of a school’s statutory requirements in relation to carrying out DBS checks. The course is made up 2 x 2 hour modules.

Return to work meetings are often perceived as meetings that are a ‘waste of time’ or meetings that staff are ‘too busy’ to hold. However, they can be crucial in helping to reduce short term intermittent absences, flag attendance concerns or spotting signs of ill health at an early stage. This briefing provides a practical overview of how to make the most of these crucial meetings and flags pitfalls to avoid.

This CPD accredited 5-hour course equips DSLs and their deputies to fulfil their role in line with statutory guidance and gives practical tips to Safeguarding Leads for their settings.

This course provides an overview of the full process for managing short term, intermittent sickness absence, from the early welfare stages of a process, up to and including dismissal and appeals due to concerns about attendance. The course will also highlight the potential pitfalls that employers must be mindful of when managing absences. The course is CPD accredited for 2.5 hours of CPD. This course is aimed at members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members and line managers that may be involved in the management of short-term, intermittent sickness absence. It may also be helpful for Governors or Trustees to have an overview of the management of short-term sickness in the event they are asked to consider an appeal against a decision in the process or a dismissal of a member of staff due to concerns about attendance.

The course is intended to provide an overview of employee wellbeing, the importance of this, the obligations on the employer to support wellbeing and how to utilise and make the most of any welfare meeting if concerns regarding staff wellbeing do arise. The course is CPD accredited for 2.5 hours and is aimed at members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members and line managers that may be involved in managing and supporting staff wellbeing.

Many schools will be working with staff that are disabled for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. However, many staff that support and manage absences are unclear on what may amount to a disability and the legal definition of a disability. It is crucial that staff involved in managing absence and supporting staff have an understanding of this definition, as this may impact on how the colleague should be managed and supported. This briefing will provide an overview of the definition of ‘disability’ in line with the Equality Act 2010. The briefing will also confirm or deny some key myths and misconceptions surrounding disabilities, to help in managing absence and supporting staff moving forward.

This course focuses on the practicalities of a disciplinary investigation from the perspective of the Investigating Officer. This includes when/how such investigations should be undertaken, preparing for interviews and how the investigation findings should be presented. The course is CPD accredited for 3 hours and is aimed at members of the Governing Body or trustees, SLT, SBMs, HR team members and line managers that may be asked to undertake a disciplinary investigation into conduct concerns.

This CPD accredited 2-hour course provides Safeguarding Training to Governors/Trustees. The session fits with the requirements within Keeping Children Safe in Education and will cover a range of key safeguarding information.

Although employers do try to deal with conduct concerns informally, when the conduct issues are minor, there will unfortunately be occasions where this is not possible and a formal disciplinary hearing, following an investigation must take place. This session will focus on how the School should prepare for a disciplinary hearing from a practical point of view – from both the perspective of the Investigating Officer and the wider Panel/decision maker.

This course will provide an overview of the key areas for consideration and potential pitfalls when planning a restructure/redundancy process. The course is CPD accredited for 2.5 hours and is aimed at those that will be involved in planning, running or overseeing a restructure or redundancy process. This could include Governors, Trustees, members of SLT, SBMs or HR team members.

This CPD accredited 5-hour course equips DSLs and their deputies to fulfil their role in line with statutory guidance and gives practical tips to Safeguarding Leads for their settings.

Although employers do try to deal with conduct concerns informally, when the conduct issues are minor, there will unfortunately be occasions where this is not possible and a formal sanction or decision to terminate employment may be taken. As part of a fair process employees should have the opportunity to appeal this decision. This session will focus on how the School should prepare for a disciplinary appeal from a practical point of view – from both the perspective of the original decision maker and the Appeal Panel.

This course provides an overview of the full process of managing long term sickness absence, from the early welfare stages of a process, up to and including ill health retirement/dismissal due to ill health. The course will also highlight the potential pitfalls and key areas of discrimination that employers must be mindful of when managing trickier long-term absences. The course is CPD accredited for 3 hours. This course is aimed at members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members and line managers that may be involved in the management of long-term sickness absence. It may also be helpful for Governors or Trustees to have an overview of the management of long-term sickness in the event they are asked to consider the dismissal of a member of staff due to ill health or any appeal against such a decision.

This briefing will provide guidance on dealing with both informal and formal flexible working requests and the reasons for which requests may fairly be refused. This briefing is aimed at those involved with day-to-day management of staff. This could include Governors, Trustees, members of SLT, SBMs, HR team members or line managers.

Many employees will refer to or request ‘reasonable adjustments.’ In this briefing we will explore when the duty to make reasonable adjustments is actually triggered, when you may choose to make adjustments and some common adjustments that could be explored with an employee on a temporary or more permanent basis. This will include flexible working, phased returns and adaptions to the workspace.

This course will provide an overview of the key areas for consideration and potential pitfalls when planning a restructure/redundancy process. The course is CPD accredited for 2.5 hours and is aimed at those that will be involved in planning, running or overseeing a restructure or redundancy process. This could include Governors, Trustees, members of SLT, SBMs or HR team members.

This CPD accredited 2-hour course provides Safeguarding Training to Governors/Trustees. The session fits with the requirements within Keeping Children Safe in Education and will cover a range of key safeguarding information.

Many schools will have staff that will be, currently are of have experienced the menopause, which can have a significant impact on staff. It is therefore important that those managing and supporting staff are aware of how this many effect staff and how best to support them.

Understanding the Single Central Record - Designed with those who oversee and update the SCR, this session is great for anyone looking to know more about the SCR and those seeking assurance that their SCR is compliant.

This CPD accredited 5-hour course equips DSLs and their deputies to fulfil their role in line with statutory guidance and gives practical tips to Safeguarding Leads for their settings.

This CPD accredited 2-hour course provides training on safer recruitment in line with Part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

This CPD accredited 5-hour course equips DSLs and their deputies to fulfil their role in line with statutory guidance and gives practical tips to Safeguarding Leads for their settings.

This CPD accredited 2-hour course covers all there is to know about allegations of abuse made against staff from low-level concerns to LADO investigations.

This CPD accredited 5-hour course equips DSLs and their deputies to fulfil their role in line with statutory guidance and gives practical tips to Safeguarding Leads for their settings.

This CPD accredited 2-hour course provides training on safer recruitment in line with Part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education.