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All sessions are Wednesdays 1 – 2pm
Next Session…
20th May 2026
Bitesize session
“Seeing Beyond the Behaviour – An Introduction to The R.I.S.E. Resilience Map”
with Dr. Shakeel Ahmed
What if the aggression, withdrawal, or defiance you see every day is only the surface of a much deeper story?
In this practical bitesize session, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed will introduce The R.I.S.E. Resilience Map, the framework used to help professionals and families move from constant crisis management to meaningful connection with looked-after children and those with complex needs.
We’ll explore how to:
- Meet a child at their Ridge of Reaction without escalating the moment.
- Gently look beneath the behaviour to the Valley of Injury driving it.
- Rediscover the hidden strengths of their Spring of Self.
- Take small, steady steps toward their Summit of Empowerment.
This session is ideal for residential care workers, foster carers, social workers, family support teams, and anyone living or working with children whose behaviour feels hardest to reach. It also serves as a taster for our full 5‑hour Formulation and R.I.S.E. training course in July, providing a deeper exploration into real‑world application.
All resources needed for upcoming and past sessions are below.
The session is run on the Zoom platform. There may be YouTube videos.
If you’re not familiar with Zoom you may find the following videos helpful before joining the session. It is reasonably intuitive, so you should not worry. We will also move you into small groups and may ask you to vote on questions – these instructions will appear clearly on your screen.
Being involved – our sessions are pretty relaxed, interactive and work best when there are lots of questions. Please feel free to chip in during a gap, use the ‘raise your hand’ button or put a question in chat at any time. Chat is one of the assets of using Zoom as it makes sure you can get your question in. Our presenters try to avoid reading the chat when they’re speaking, but do look at very regular intervals and should come back to your question. If they’ve missed it please chip in or ‘raise your hand’.
Video and sound – We like to see you! It’s good for the presenter to be able to gauge the reaction of the group and that everyone is engaged with the training. Do check your background prior to going live to make sure there’s nothing that might embarrass you. There is a function in Zoom to hide your background if you wish. Ultimately, if you really cannot face having the video on this is ok. Please mute your sound unless you want to speak so that background noise does not affect everyone else – the presenter may mute everyone if there is interference. Don’t forget to turn it on before speaking!
Doing other work/dealing with other issues/breaks – If you miss key elements of the presentation you may miss an opportunity to intervene to keep a child safe, so you should not be doing other work while the session is running. We recognise that people are working from home and this brings its own challenges. If you need to respond to something please do.
If you need to leave the course please let the presenter know why using a private chat. The subject material can be difficult and it is important to look after yourself. We can point you to helpful sources of support after the session.
Problems accessing the session If you have difficulty accessing the Zoom platform on the day, please contact admin@dialogueltd.co.uk or contact us on 01803 493030. We will do our best to help you join, although we do not offer technical support.
The waiting room will be open 10 minutes prior to the start of the session. Please ensure the name on your Zoom is the name you have registered your membership with.
To start the sessions, please click the launch button on the page above. If you have problems joining check the advice on using Zoom and troubleshooting options above. If you require them, the Meeting ID and Password are:
Meeting ID: 874 6167 8219
Password: 361716
If you have difficulty logging on read our Zoom guidance, above.
Recording sessions – The sessions may be recorded for the purpose of enabling participants to review content and to catch up on a session if it is missed. It will only be accessible to people who hold dialogue membership.
By joining the session you are consenting to the recording for these purposes.
Please note that from 23rd April 2025, all recordings are now available to watch with a subtitle function. Simply hit play on the video and then you will see a small CC in the right hand corner of the video settings – if you press this, the subtitles will now display in the video you are watching.
If you need any help please don’t hesitate to call one of the team on 01803 493030 or email admin@dialogueltd.co.uk and we will be happy to help.
All sessions are Wednesdays 1 – 2pm
Calendar:
22nd April 2026 – bitesize training
Ethics of AI & CSAM with Lawrence Jordan (Marie Collins Foundation)
Watch the recording here
29th April 2026 – ‘the dialogue’
our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Watch the recording here
6th May 2026 – bitesize training
Making Alternative Provision Work with Rachel Greathead & Sophie Arkell at Targeted Provision
Watch the recording here
13th May 2026 – ‘the dialogue’
our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Watch the recording here
20th May 2026 – bitesize training
Seeing Beyond the Behaviour — An Introduction to The R.I.S.E. Resilience Map with Dr. Shakeel Ahmed
27th May 2026 – ‘the dialogue’
our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Anne-Louise Pemberton will also be joining us to discuss Safer Recruitment.
3rd June 2026 – bitesize training
Online Safety and “Do You Agree With A Social Media Ban?” survey feedback with Traci Gregory (SWGfL)
10th June 2026 – ‘the dialogue’
our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Resources
In this weeks dialogue session John Woodhouse explored the recent legislation updates.
Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Act 2026 – Updates Presentation.pdf
Crime & Policing Act 2026 – Updates Presentation.pdf
Perfect Little Children’s Home – Dialogue
Training available with dialogue:
Supervised Contact with Families Training – Dialogue
Leaving Care Training – Dialogue
Child Exploitation Training – Dialogue
We were joined by Rachel Greathead (Head of Education) and Sophie Arkell (Group Head of Research and Growth) at Targeted Provision, who discussed Making Alternative Provision Work.
This session broke down what Alternative Provision (AP) really is and why it matters so much for children in care. It explored how to make sure placements are purposeful, high-quality, and focused on real outcomes – not just attendance.
This session highlighted key safeguarding risks, common red flags, and what good practice looks like when children are educated off-site. It walked through commissioning basics so you can confidently ask the right questions and avoid poor placements.
With a strong practical focus, the session shared simple, effective strategies to help you stay involved, build strong relationships with providers, and support children to engage, grow in confidence, and succeed.
This session was for anyone wanting to get the best from Alternative Provision and make a real difference for your young people.
Resources:
Making Alternative Provision Work.pdf
In this weeks dialogue session John Woodhouse explored this week’s Inspection Top Tips on Fitness of Staff as well as sharing the news of an upcoming book, “The Perfect Little Children’s Home?”, soon to be released with collaborations from numerous knowledgeable professionals from the residential sector.
Perfect Little Children’s Home – Dialogue
Lawrence Jordan from Marie Collins Foundation joined us to discuss the Ethics of AI and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Lawrence Jordan focused the session on the ethics of AI and how it can be used to sexually abuse and harm children.
Delegates were able to explore the impact of AI serial abuse and some of the challenges and recovery needs for children.
Resources:
Path of Wellness, Empowerment & Recovery (POWER)
In this weeks dialogue session Brian shared some updates including:
SCCIF changes for Children’s Homes
What to know about the April 2026 updates to inspection of local authority children’s services
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Children’s Social Care: National Framework
Families First Partnership programme
Looked after young people – statistics on outcomes
David Thompson from Inicio joined us to discuss Supported Accommodation.
David Thompson is the CEO of Inicio Group, Founder and former Chairman of NASAP, and Board Member of Home + Future, the Southeast RCC. He joined us to share sector-based insights from supported accommodation.
Exploring the importance of transitions, independence, interdependence, and robust service level oversight, David brings over 22 years children’s social care experience and 15 years dedicated supported accommodation expertise to this learning session.
Supported Accommodation Presention – David Thompson – 08.04.26
In this weeks dialogue session John shared some updates including:
- The Government have now publicised the framework for six new RCCs
- Improving the attendance of children with a social worker
- Right to sibling contact
We were also joined by Daniel Thomas the Director of CRC for Wales joined us to discuss Cybercrime and what support the Cyber Resilience Centre offers and how it relates to children’s homes.
Chris Amys from RWK Goodman joined us to discuss updates on Employment Law and HR.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is the most significant reform of employment law in over 50 years, aiming to rebalance employer-employee relations. As changes begin in 2026, providers should prepare for their impact and implementation. The session will outline major changes affecting the sector and discuss how to prepare for them including:
- Managing the financial risk of changes to statutory sick pay eligibility from April 2026 and how to effectively manage sickness absences.
- Changes to unfair dismissal laws and tribunal deadlines.
- Reform of ‘fire and rehire’ and new restrictions on making changes to employment contracts.
- Getting ready for the new requirements to (i) take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and (ii) prevent harassment (on any grounds) by third parties (including children and young people).
Employment Law & HR – Chris Amys (RWK Goodman) – 25.03.26 – Presentation Request
John delivered a session focusing on Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
Resources:
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 | Safeguarding Network
Keeping children safe in education 2026: government consultation
Children’s Residential Homes | Safeguarding Network
Working together to safeguard children 2026: summary of changes – GOV.UK
Non-school alternative provision: voluntary national standards
Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide
Training mentioned:
Steve Baguley from NWG joined us to discuss Transitional Safeguarding.
Transition is a process not an event.
Steve shared how the recent cultural changes are prompting development in safeguarding adolescents through their transition into legal adulthood.
Steve is happy for enquiries to be emailed across to him:
steve@nwgnetwork.org
Exploitation and Transition into Adulthood – Steve Baguley (NWG) – March 2026
Rasheeda White from Become Charity joined us to discuss the work and support that they provide including Leaving Care Support.
Become are a national charity that’s here to support every child and young person with experience of the care system.
They strive to fight to make change happen.
Links to Become Charity services:
- Care Advice Service
- Propel into Education
- Propel Yourself into Work
- Workshops
- Become Campaigns
- Connect to our Community
- Become – Training for Organisations
- Contact Become
Rasheeda is happy to take enquiries via email:
advice@becomecharity.org.uk
Our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Resources:
Rosie Reid (YGAM) joined us to explore Gaming and Gambling Harm Awareness.
YGAM (Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust) is a UK-based charity dedicated to safeguarding young and vulnerable people from the harms associated with gaming and gambling. Through evidence-led, accredited education programmes, YGAM empowers professionals with the tools to support and protect young people. This session will explore how digital platforms can expose vulnerable young people to risky behaviours, how to spot signs of harm, and what practical steps can be taken to create safer environments in care settings.
If you have any queries, Rosie is happy for you to get in touch:
rosiereid@ygam.org
www.ygam.org
Helen Humphreys (Ofsted) joined us to explore Updates to Registration Guidance.
Helen is the Senior Specialist Advisor in the Social Care Policy team.
In this session we looked at Ofsted’s registration prioritisation policy and the reforms which will affect residential care arising from the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
John Woodhouse presented Jules Reynolds bitesize on Advocacy.
Independent advocacy is a statutory right for children in care and care leavers under Section 26A of the Children Act 1989, ensuring their views, wishes, and feelings are heard and influence the decisions that affect their lives.
This session looked at:
- Explaining what independent advocacy is and how it supports the rights and safeguarding of children in care and care leavers.
- Identifying when children in care and care leavers must be offered independent advocacy.
- Understanding professional responsibilities to actively promote and support access to advocacy in practice.
Independent Advocacy – Jules Reynolds
National Advocacy Standards – Nov 2002
Revised National Standards for the Provision of Children’s Advocacy – September 2023
Our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Resources:
- Children’s Social Care Questionaires – GOV.UK
Children’s social care questionnaires 2025 – GOV.UK
Ofsted launches children’s social care survey – GOV.UK
Children’s social care surveys: guidance for providers – GOV.UK
The survey will close on 22 March 2026.
if you want to give your views, you can call Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or email socialcarepitsurvey@ofsted.gov.uk.
Great news, dialogue members get 10% off their ticket price using code: NWGSAVE10
- CYP Now – DoL order applications hit record level
- Children living in illegal children’s homes | Children’s Commissioner for England
- Government extends free NHS services for care leavers
- The multi-agency response to children who are victims of domestic abuse
- Help us improve the registration process for children’s social care services and early years and childcare provision
- Caring for children in complex situations: Five learning points and a case for change – Nuffield Family Justice Observatory
Dr. Katie Hunter and Rod Weston-Bartholomew joined us to deliver a presentation on Double Discrimination: Understanding the needs of Black care-experienced young people in the criminal justice system
with
Dr Katie Hunter, is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Rod Weston-Bartholomew, is an experienced senior manager in the children and social care sector (charities and local government).
Katie and Rod discussed the findings from their unique piece of ADR UK Fellowship research using linked data from Ministry of Justice and Department for Education to examine intersections between ethnicity, care experience and youth justice.
This award-winning project was partnered with Barnardo’s, conducted by Listen Up and has been cited in the House of Lords.
The report is a rare and unapologetic capture of what it is like to be Black, and care experienced navigating the criminal justice system. The presentation will lift the experiences, emotions and realities of Black care experienced young people from the pages of the report.
John Woodhouse delivered a session on RM Vacancy Research.
Resources:
Recommendations for ProvidersChris Amys (RWK Goodman) joined us to deliver a session on Whistleblowing.
Whistleblowing remains one of the most reputationally high-risk areas for employers and recent tribunal cases continue to show how easily things can go wrong.
In this practical and informative webinar, we explored whistleblowing from an employment law and HR perspective, focusing on what organisations should be doing to manage concerns lawfully, fairly and confidently.
The session covered:
- What legally counts as whistleblowing
- Who is protected under whistleblowing legislation
- Common mistakes employers make when handling whistleblowing concerns
- How to manage whistleblowers
- Practical steps when a disclosure is raised
Whether you are reviewing your whistleblowing procedures, supporting managers, or dealing with a live issue, this session will help you understand the legal framework and apply it confidently in the workplace.
To request a copy of the slides from Chris please use this link.
Our fortnightly update session with inspection top tips, research, regs and responses to member queries.
Resources:
- Use of photographs in Regulation 45 reports for children’s homes:
Regulation 45 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 specifies that the registered person must provide a written report of the quality of care review. When sending the report to Ofsted, they’ve asked providers not to include photographs of children, or anyone else that might be able to be identified, in these reports due to DP concerns.
- Internal exclusion – The British Educational Research Journal – First published: 08 October 2025
- Use of reasonable force in schools – Gov – Dept. For Education
- Use of technology to improve medication safety in residential childcare
- Debriefs following restraint
Main findings: ownership of children’s social care providers in England 2025 – GOV.UK
John Woodhouse shared the findings from the RM Vacancy Research Project.
Resources:
Registered Manager Vacancy Research – December 2025
RM Vacancy Analysis – Recommendations for providers and support from dialogue – December 2025
Chris Freestone joined us to deliver a bitesize session on Good to Outstanding Ofsted in Disability Settings.
The focus on caring for and supporting children and young people with difference/disability has never been more acute. The session will review the ways in which you can develop key threads of practice as you aim for “outstanding” when supporting these young people. As always, the voices and experience of the children and young people will be at the heart of the discussion.
Resources:
Developing outstanding provision – Chris Freestone – December 2025
Gemma Nicholas from RWK Goodman joined us to discuss Regulatory Practices – including Ofsted registration.
Resources:
Dougie Stringer joined us to deliver an inspiring and practical webinar, Thriving Into Adulthood. Dougie is a care-experienced social worker as well as the founder of Strive to Thrive Ltd (formerly, The Path To Independence). Blending his powerful personal story with professional insight, this session explored post traumatic growth, resilience, and the tools young people need to navigate the transition to adulthood with confidence, purpose, and hope.
Chris Amys from RWK Goodman joined us to discuss Employment Law and HR within children’s residential care.
Resources:
Recruitment and shadowing/trial shift:
“The prospective employee must be supervised at all times during the shift because they are not yet employed by you, so the relevant regulations do not apply to them. You may introduce them to the children, but they should not have access to children’s detailed personal information.”
Resources:
- Ofcom Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes Report – 2025
- Gov Legislation – Children Act 1989 – Section 33
- Internet Matters – Understanding the impact of news on children’s wellbeing
- Children’s Home Guidance – A safe and supportive environment
- Manchester City Council v P (Refusal of Restrictions on Mobile Phone) – 27 January 2023
Electronic Monitoring – Jacqui McCann – 22.10.25
We run an Online Safety Leads training course for residential homes with SWGfL, a National Online Safety Charity. We are currently taking expressions of interest for the next course.
Please use the link below to find out more: https://dialogueltd.co.uk/online
Therapeutic Parenting Laura Taylor 1st October 2025
Session recording coming soon…
Non school AP provision 03.09.25
Unable to obtain references 03.09.25
Resources:
- Non-school alternative provision: voluntary national standards
- Arranging Alternative Provision – A Guide for Local Authorities and Schools
- SGN – Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025
- Helping Education Settings Identify and Respond to Concerns
- Shorespace – A safe space for teenagers worried about sexual behaviour
Social Pedagogy Emmanuel Akpan Inwang 16.07.25
Links and Resources:
- Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust
- Article on the Josephine Schneider House that Emmanuel mentioned in the session, here’ the link: The Copenhagen house that’s probably the best children’s home in the world
- Query raised during session regarding an Inspector requesting Reg45 reports to be limited – Gov.UK – Regulation 45 review and reports – what you need to know
- dialogue deliver Reg45 training – please use this link to find out more.
- Kingston Course: Graduate Diploma in Residential Work (Children’s) | Kingston University London
Resources and links:
- Ofsted Applications:
Ofsted: Why your registration application may be taking longer than usual
There is already a process for priority applications for a specific child – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/registering-childrens-homes-in-an-emergency
- DBS Hardship Request:
DBS hardship request (before the usual 60-day escalation). Tel 03000 200 190. They will ask for proof such as letters from employer, bank statements etc. Provide email and telephone of employer regarding risk of unemployment, and they agreed to escalate.
- Placement Stability:
1 in 10 children looked after experienced high placement instability (3 or more placements during the year) – 10% – broadly stable with previous years.
Children looked after who were initially detained for child protection reasons had the highest proportion experiencing high placement instability (26%). The proportion of children looked after experiencing high school instability (at least one mid-year school move during the year) in 2024 was 8% – unchanged from 2023 and broadly stable since 2021 (7%).
Children looked after with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan were less likely to experience high school instability – 6% in 2024 – compared with those who had some SEN support or with no identified SEN – both 9%. The proportion of children looked after experiencing high social worker instability (3 or more social workers during the year) in 2024 was 27%.
Children looked after aged under 1 year experienced the highest social worker instability – 34%. The proportion of children looked after experiencing high social worker instability decreases as age increases – 24% of children looked after aged 16 or over experienced high social worker instability. 1 in 100 children looked after experienced high instability in all three stability measures (placement, school and social worker) in 2024. There is little variation between different characteristics groups.
Resources and Articles:
- AFFF fire extinguisher phase out – Recap
Under new requirements (see The Facts About Foam in Portable Fire Extinguishers (November 2024)) from the environmental health agency and Health & Safety Executive AFFF foam fire extinguishers are being phased out due to environmental concerns, mainly due to the PFAS chemicals they contain. From July 4th, 2025, the sale of new AFFF extinguishers will be banned, and existing ones should be phased out as part of their service life (at the 5 year discharge testing). Whilst there is no mandate to immediately switch by the deadline it is anticipated by 2030 and I would suggest the home consult with their provider to define and plan a date of when they will switch within the service life of those extinguishers so there is a strategy to do this as soon as feasibly possible.
- Online safety updates:
NSPCC Online safety: expert insight videos
Is surveillance culture fuelling child cyberstalking?
Link to our Online Safety training course
- Child sexual exploitation:
The National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitaiton and Abuse
12 recommendations, all accepted by Government:
1. Mandatory rape charges extended from under 13s for adults to under 16.
2. National police operation and national inquiry to target local investigations.
3. Disregard any convictions where the government finds victims were criminalised instead of protected.
4. Mandatory collection of ethnicity and nationality data for all suspects of CSE and CCE and improve data collection around victims.
5. Unequivocal and mandatory sharing of information in CSA and CSE.
6. Unique reference numbers for children.
7. Police information systems should be upgraded.
8. CSE investigations should be approached like Serious and Organised Crime.
9. DfE to explore why CP and CiN is showing a decline in CSA and CSE reporting.
10. Research into the drivers for group-based child sexual exploitation, including online offending, cultural factors and the role of the group.
11. Put a stop to ’out of area taxis’ and bring in more rigorous statutory standards.
12. Government should commit to fully resourcing the implementation of these recommendations over multiple years and to tracking their implementation.
Recommended actions:
• Consider how taxi drivers are vetted by education teams and look for full assurance around this – encourage LAs to meet higher standards. Stop the use of out of area taxis without strong reason and validation. Ensure homes’ own taxi use is being managed to the same standard as recruitment.
• Ensure staff familiar with The National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitaiton and Abuse.
• Consider whether action required in respect of any young people who may fall within this – use of escalation is key.
• Consider whether any young people may be involved in groups perpetrating CSE or CCE.
• Consider whether there are previous referrals that have not been dealt with effectively and need to be resurfaced.
• Consider whether any young people were criminalised instead of protected.
• Reflect on your own referral/identification data on CSE/CSA.
• Ensure training of staff on CSA and CSE (these courses available through dialogue) – consider whether we want to gather together for some leadership. training
Link to presentation from SWGfL (please note this link will expire by 30th April 2025)
Missing People slides Missing Black children research
We would encourage you all to read the two reports mentioned into the ethnicity of missing people and the experiences of black missing children and their parents:
- The ethnicity of missing people
- The experiences of black missing children and their parents
Final Experiences of Black missing children Voices report
- Please do leave Josie from Missing People any feedback on slido using this link:
We welcomed Helen Humphreys HC HMI, Ofsted, to discuss all things Regulation 44 and feedback from Ofsted’s Big Listen.
Regulation 44 presentation with Helen Humphreys SC HMI Ofsted March 2025
We welcomed James Sage from RWK Goodman, to talk about the impact of irregular hours (e.g. sleep ins), on holiday pay and other entitlements following a change in law.
Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang, a Churchill Fellow joined us to discuss the research he undertook into residential care in Europe and returned to integrate these ideas into a children’s home in the UK. The session was full of ideas, reflections and real shared experience of getting things right for our young people.
European Children’s Homes – Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang (LP Trust)
Kevin Murphy from NWG Network delivered a bitesize session around exploitation with a focus on communities.
The session covered:
1) Introduction to Kevin and the NWG Network
2) Child Exploitation Awareness day 2025
3) “Say Something, if you See Something” campaign
4) Bystander Interventions
Kevin Murphy from NWG – Exploitation in Communities and Bystanders
Recording – Exploitation in Communities by Kevin Murphy NWG Network
James Potter from Big Issue Invest presentation:
Big Issue Invest Product Offering – Funding
For any queries you may have, please contact James via email on: james.potter@bigissueinvest.com
We would encourage you all to read the two reports mentioned into the ethnicity of missing people and the experiences of black missing children and their parents:
- The ethnicity of missing people
- The experiences of black missing children and their parents
Final Experiences of Black missing children Voices report
- Please do leave Holly from Missing People any feedback on sli.do using this link: