Gloucestershire: Employment and skills online hub

 

Gloucestershire County Council has worked to develop a central source of information around skills and employment. This hub includes access to specialist employment advisers who will work with you, our residents, on your needs, whether that be finding you the right information or linking you with an organisation.

A tailored package and ongoing support will be made available to you whether you need training, a new career, advice, support, an apprenticeship and even more. The only criteria to access the service is to be a Gloucestershire resident.

Please click here to find out more

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Scotland: Enquire pre recorded Q&A for parents about school placements for children with additional support needs

We know that around this time of year many of the families we come in contact with are considering their options for schooling next year.

If you are hoping to make a placing request for your child to attend a school other than your local authority or catchment school, you might find this pre-recorded Q&A useful.

In it, some of the Enquire team talk through how school placement works and how to make a school placement request. They also answer questions around some specifics circumstances, offering tailored advice to real-life situations.

Watch or save for later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_9iU1nvMLo

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Sandhurst: The Army Cadet Force

Interested in joining the army, after school? Check out the Army Cadet Force!

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Surrey: Surrey County Council - Adult Learning News

Adult learning news

Keep up to date with adult learning courses, discounts, news, events and exhibitions by signing up to the e-newsletter or follow on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Blandford: Garrison 'Learn English' free sessions

The community hub is located by the Costcutter store on camp.
Qualified tutor conducts the sessions.
No need to sign up, just drop in.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE 

Wiltshire: Upcoming Wellbeing courses from the Family and Community Learning team - free for Military families

 

Get ready for a Wraparound Childcare (WAC) expansion to some overseas locations - coming spring term 2025

 

Are you assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision? WAC Overseas will be available to eligible families in these areas from 6 January 2025.

What is Wraparound Childcare funding?

The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if receiving Government disability allowances) who are in full time education in school or being home educated. Over 7,000 Service children's before and after school childcare is currently being funded by WAC.

Temporary registration and claims process for WAC Overseas.

A temporary process will be in place from January until at least April 2025. Due to the migration of JPA to the Cloud it is not possible for WAC Overseas registrations and claims to be added to the WAC area of JPA straight away. The temporary process has been put in place to enable eligible families to claim WAC Overseas funding while this migration work takes place. Once JPA migration to the Cloud is complete, there will be a requirement to re-register to continue to submit claims, via JPA in the future. Further guidance documents will be available on the Defence Childcare Information Page on DefNet and Defence Connect in January.

Wiltshire: Single session courses for Adults - free for Military families in Wiltshire

 

Single session courses include:

• Exploring My Skills
• Discovering Confidence
• Discovering Wellbeing
• Saving Energy

Please click here to read this leaflet online

Alternatively click here to visit the Family and Community Learning website

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Scotland: Enquire, the Scottish Advice Service for additional support for learning 'Moving to Scotland Guide'

Moving to a new country and education system can be a worrying and busy time for families with a child with additional support needs.

Enquire have explained the key information you need if your family is moving to Scotland. This includes how education and support work in Scotland, and what you can do to help get everything arranged for your child’s move.

To read the guide 👉 enquire.org.uk

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Vale of Glamorgan: Makaton Signing Course for Babies and Families, starting Tue 07 Jan 25

Makaton Signing for Babies and Families

This is an online course that will take place over six weeks from Tuesday 7 January 2025 until Tuesday 11 February 2025 10 am - 11 am.

Although the course is called ‘Makaton Signing for Babies and Families’ it can be suitable for children of up to roughly seven years old (developmentally) as the course contains all the signs needed for early communication.

The course is run by Virginia Bourne and consists of six, one hour interactive sessions designed to encourage the development of communication and language skills. Topics include: Saying hello, eating and drinking, developing skills, going out, family, animals and using Makaton in play. You will also learn signing hints and tips for effective communication.

The course costs £55 which includes a pocket book with all the signs and symbols taught. If you are local to the Vale of Glamorgan and are able to collect your pocket book prior to the start of the course and your certificate at the end, the course will be £50.

Click here for Virginia Bourne's Facebook Page for more information.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Dorset: Parents' guide to your child's Special Education Needs (SEN)

The guide explains the support ordinarily available in Dorset education settings, from early years to post-16 providers, and if a child or young person needs more help to achieve their potential. 

It includes information on how settings should use the Graduated Approach to plan support for children and young people, and how you can access support in your area.

Download guide

Information provided by Bovington HIVE.

Northern Ireland: Crumlin Integrated Primary School Open Evening - Thursday 28th November

 

Do you have a child due to start P1 in September 2025?
Join Crumlin Integrated Primary School on Thursday, 28th November 2024 between 5-7pm to meet the staff and tour the school. 

For more information please contact the school directly on Crumlin Integrated Primary School

Information provided by HIVE NI

The impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance

 

In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.

For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.

To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.

What does this mean for CEA claimants?

North East: Retrofit Surveyor/Assessor Qualification Course starting Dec

Further course dates for our popular Retrofit Assessor Course, without postcode restrictions.

Apply online at Building Heroes website.

Course Location: New College Durham, Framwellgate Moor Campus, Durham, DH1 5ES. (nearest barracks – Catterick or Albemarle)

Course Duration: 4 weeks

Course Dates: 09.12.24 – 17.01.25 (allowing for 2 wk xmas break in the middle)

10.02.25 – 14.03.25 (allowing for 1 wk half term break)

17.03.25 – 11.04.25

Qualifications: L3 Retrofit Assessor & L3 Domestic Energy Assessment (ABBE)

Approx Timetable: 

Week 1 – Classroom based with exam at end of the week
Week 2 – on-site void property assessing with tutor and visit to Beamish Museum
Week 3 – Remote/Field based portfolio & evidence building. (tutor support remotely) plus employer visits
Week 4 - “ “ “ “Friday-Graduation

Fife: Do you know an S4 student who wants to be a doctor?

click on image to enlarge

Do you know an S4 student dreaming of a career in medicine?

Join NHS Fife for an interactive event to help prepare you for university applications and interviews, and increase your understanding of the skills needed to work in healthcare.

📌 Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
📅 Wednesday 4 December

📌 Cameron Hospital, Windygates
📅 Thursday 5 December

Please speak to your DYW school co-ordinator if you are
interested in joining a session.

📝 Registrations should be submitted by Friday 22 November.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Stafford: Sandon Road Preschool Playgroup spaces available all year round (subject to availability)

 

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Northern Ireland: Straidhavern Primary School Open Day - Tuesday 26th November

 

Is your little one due to start Primary 1 in September 2025?
Straidhavern Primary School are hosting their open morning on Tuesday 26th November 2024?

Please contact them directly for further information. Straidhavern Primary School Crumlin

Information provided by HIVE NI

Blackpool: & The Fylde College - Adult Courses Exhibition Truck

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Weeton: Operation Odyssey - FREE Training courses starting on Monday 18th November 24

There is a great opportunity starting on Monday 18th November at the Community Centre at Weeton Barracks. 

Funded by the Veterans Foundation and open to all families of serving personnel and veterans, we would like to introduce Operation Odyssey. There will be 4 training modules over the next academic year and it kicks off with the first module – Pathways to Effective Living – come along, take part, meet new people and learn how by perfecting Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits you can increase your chance of success whether that be linked to family, friendships, working life or in your military base community.

And there is an opportunity to become a caterer – please see attached poster – Who’s Cooking.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Northern Ireland: Crumlin Integrated College Open Evening - Thursday 5th December

 

Information provided by HIVE NI