Message from Katharine

Friday comes around fast these days; hope it has been a good week for you all!

Some important info to digest with funding rules for Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship Units published, and some great support and local events highlighted in this issue.

You should have received an invite to the first in the series of our PAL facilitated EPN Funding Compliance webinars this week: Subcontracting Compliance, 10am-11.15am on 30th April 2026. Please forward that on to any relevant colleagues within your organisation – the webinar will go ahead as we already have a good number of delegates confirmed so far🙂

On behalf of EPN, I attended the LSIP Skills Board meeting this week and was able to contribute feedback on the draft refreshed LSIP report and action plan which was submitted to Skills England at the end March, to support amendments prior to its final submission mid-May, before it is officially published in July. Essex Chamber of Commerce have done great consultative work on this again and EPN look forward to supporting the actions outlined. The Data dashboard that was demonstrated, analysing current provision and gaps filterable by many factors, using all ILR data, soon to be released looks very exciting and we will share the link here to this as soon as it is live!

I also represented EPN at the newly formed, FEDEC co-ordinated, Essex Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) launch on Wednesday at the well attended Clean Energy Jobs and Careers fair hosted by Chelmsford College.  Key discussions and agreed actions focused on 3 main themes; maximising funding opportunities for green skills courses, mapping local workforce needs and strengthening pathways that support learners to progress from education into industry roles. If anyone is keen to join any of the working groups being established to drive action forward on these 3 themes, please let me know.

Invitation to Exhibit at USP college progression event:
The USP Progression Hub 2026 is on Thursday 7^th May, 5:30-8:00pm at USP College Seevic in Benfleet.

This event is designed to give Year 11, 12, and 13 learners the opportunity to begin to discover their next steps after Post-16 Education and explore the many progression routes available to them, as well as learn what local organisations are available to support them with next steps and making the right decision for them
If you would like to exhibit at this event, please contact events@uspcollege.ac.uk

Employment Event: Pathways to Potential:
This ECC event, being held at Braxted Park on 10 June 2026 (10.00am to 2.30pm) offers a valuable opportunity for SEND learners aged 11+ to explore aspirational, realistic pathways into employment and adulthood through meaningful encounters with employers and services that support young people.

Key benefits for schools and colleges include:

• Direct support for the Gatsby Benchmarks, particularly encounters with employers, experiences of workplaces and personal guidance
• Strong Ofsted evidence around high aspirations, careers education and preparation for adulthood for SEND learners
• An inclusive, supportive environment where young people can explore a range of services supporting young people as they prepare for adulthood and employment
• Suitable for learners in mainstream, special, FE and independent settings, including those not currently accessing full‑time education (e.g. EBSA, part‑time timetables or alternative provision, where still on roll)

The targeted employment team encourage settings to attend with groups of young people, and with limited capacity, early booking is advised through amy.gair@essex.gov.uk

Please find more details here.

Support: Girls and young women at risk
Under the Radar is an Active Essex Foundation pilot project designed to support girls and young women aged 11–24 who are at risk of, or affected by, criminal and/or sexual exploitation.

Girls and young women are often overlooked in the context of gangs, county lines and youth violence. Under the Radar works to ensure risks are identified early and that the right support is provided at the right time.

Referrals can be made by professionals and agencies working with girls and young women who may be vulnerable or at risk. The referral pathway is designed to complement existing services, strengthening support for girls and young women affected by exploitation and crime. Referrals are reviewed securely by the project and police leads, with agencies contacted within 10 working days.

Read more or make a referral here Under the Radar – Active Essex Foundation

Support: Autistic young people and their families:
MyOTAS is a charity supporting neurodivergent children, young people, and their families. No diagnosis is required.

Click here for a schedule of MyOTAS SEND parent support groups over the next few months.

Other events held by MyOTAS can be viewed and booked here Bookable Activities – MyOTAS

Updates from ECP Safeguarding:
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 | New Free Resources:
We’ve created two free resources to help you quickly understand and apply the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 guidance. Our audiobook of Chapter 1, A Shared Responsibility, brings the core principles to life, including child‑centred practice, whole‑family working and strong multi‑agency collaboration, in a flexible, easy‑to‑access format. Alongside this, our concise briefing explains what’s changed, why it matters, and what you need to do next, including the new Family Help model.
Listen via The Safeguarding Voice audiobook. 
Read and share the briefing to support confident, consistent safeguarding practice.

Last Chance to Book | Limited Spaces Remaining
Don’t miss your chance to join our upcoming individual‑booking training courses, with limited places remaining. Safer Recruitment runs on 27^th & 28^th April, 9:00–12:00 daily, and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training takes place 14^th – 15^th May, 9:00–12:00 daily. Both courses are just £65 + VAT per person and are ideal for professionals needing high‑quality, practical training. Places are filling fast — book today to secure your space.

New Factsheet | Understanding the Manosphere
We’ve published a short, practical factsheet to help parents, carers and professionals understand the manosphere and its potential impact on young people. It explains what the manosphere is, common language and online spaces, possible influence on attitudes and behaviour, key warning signs, and how to have supportive, non‑judgemental conversations. Designed for education, safeguarding and youth‑focused services, this resource supports earlier understanding and safer intervention when concerns arise. Download and share the factsheet today!

New Course: Professional Curiosity in Practice – Working Together to Safeguard
This new course helps practitioners working with children and families strengthen professional curiosity within effective multi‑agency safeguarding. It focuses on spotting and responding to risk, sharing information well, understanding the child’s lived experience, and confidently engaging with families and professionals. Suitable for practitioners at all levels, including leaders, the session takes place Tuesday 16 June 2026, 13:00–16:00, at just £45+VAT per person.

EGA Funding Weekly Bulletin:
Last week’s bulletin presents a broad and well‑balanced portfolio of UK funding and support opportunities spanning skills and workforce development, climate and environmental innovation, inclusive entrepreneurship, creative industries, advanced technologies and heritage conservation. View bulletin HERE.

Care to apprenticeship

Drive Forward Foundation has published its recent research report ‘Care to Apprenticeship’. Some key data highlights that 40% of care leavers aged 19–21 are currently NEET and only 2% are engaged in apprenticeships. The report identifies the structural, financial and emotional barriers that prevent care leavers from accessing and sustaining opportunities. Please click here to read the report.

NEW Higher & Degree Vacancy Listing: Summer 2026 mini edition

Explore over 950 higher and degree apprenticeships in the Summer 2026 mini edition of the Higher & Degree Vacancy Listing. Featuring opportunities from more than 35 employers, it’s an ideal resource to share with students who are ready to start applying. Click here to share.

Draft Funding Rules

Draft funding rules for Apprenticeships 2026/27 have been published, highlighting important changes for providers and employers. Proposals include contracting at programme level, relaxations on breaking down eligible costs and updates to TNP to reduce errors and admin burden. Employers will also play a greater role, with new sign‑off requirements on training delivery and apprentice competence. To read more, please click here.

AI Apprenticeship Units 

The AI Apprenticeship Unit has now been updated and split into three focused, standalone units. Each unit offers 30 hours of delivery and is funded at £750. To find the full details on funding rates and delivery hours for all apprenticeship units, please click here.

Revisions and Adjustments Report 

An updated Revisions and Adjustments Report has been published, outlining the latest changes to reformed apprenticeship assessment plans (AAP’s). It summarises which standards are being revised, adjusted or retired, details timelines for the 2025/26 reforms and explains how to share feedback on proposed transitions. Please click here to read the full report.

Youth Guarantee Gateway

This week, the Youth Guarantee Gateway launched in 81 Jobcentres across Great Britain. It will be rolled out to all Jobcentres by the end of the year and is expected to support almost one million young people into work over the next three years. To read more, please click here.

National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards

The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards are back, bigger and better than ever. They’re a great chance to celebrate outstanding apprentices, employers and skills champions. The two T Level awards also return, recognising exceptional T Level students and employers nationwide. Entry is free. For more information, please click here.