Higher Education - Government Events

Discussing Cyber Security with the Detective Superintendent at the NPCC

4 minute read

Mar 2026

The Public Sector Cyber Security Conference 2026 took place on Thursday 05 February at the QEII Centre in London and welcomed senior cyber, digital, security, risk and public service leaders from across government and wider national sectors to the QEII Centre in Westminster, London, for what proved to be our largest and most impactful event to date. “The event is always one of the most informative and useful conferences of the year. It has interesting speakers covering topics that are an issue today as well as topics that will be an issue to be addressed in the future.” - Crown Prosecution Service

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Youth Culture vs. Gang Anthems: Drill Music and its Role in Youth Representation

12 minute read

Mar 2026

David Kingsley, an Associate at Criminology Services Limited, recently took the stage at our National Tackling Gang Crime, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026, where he delivered an insightful keynote on Drill music. “Today's session is not about music appreciation. It is not about defending violence. It's not about suggesting that music causes violence or crime. It's about understanding how drill music operates within certain environments, how it sometimes intersects with real world dynamics, and why it has become increasingly relevant to policing, safeguarding, and the courts.” - David Kingsley

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The Rise in Unemployment and the Risk of a “Broken Ladder” Emerging

6 minute read

Mar 2026

It was recently reported that the UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2% going into 2026. This is the highest rate in 5 years. On its own, this number isn’t that worrying, but when looking at this through the lens of young people, there is a risk of a broken ladder emerging. This rise in unemployment has been gradual. Over recent quarters, job vacancies have fallen, wage growth has slowed and the number of people competing for each role has increased.

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Ending Youth Homelessness: The Role of Schools and Local Councils

6 minute read

Feb 2026

Last year, around 118,000 young people presented themselves to their local authority in need of housing support. This is a worrying statistic. Yet it is one that with proactive steps, can be greatly reduced. It was one of the big topics at the recent National Homelessness Event 2026, which brought together industry experts and passionate speakers to explore how we can support the homeless and reduce the rate of people entering homelessness in the UK. It was a powerfully moving day, where great conversation, networking and learning took place. One of the stand out sessions was Stephen Elder’s case study, ‘Preventing Youth Homelessness Before It Happens – Working in Schools to Identify and Support Children at Risk’.

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Building Resilience in the Age of AI: Lessons from Industry Experts

12 minute read

Feb 2026

We recently hosted the Cyber and AI Preparedness Free Webinar, which brought together 3 incredible speakers from different industries. The webinar saw a lively discussion between Isabel Scavetta, a multi-award-winning cyber and diversity advocate; Matthew Forshaw, a senior advisor for skills at The Alan Turing Institute and AI researcher at Newcastle University; and James Tumbridge, an intellectual property and data regulation lawyer at Keystone Law who also chairs digital services for the City of London Corporation. As AI rapidly reshapes every industry, the UK’s public sector faces a critical moment. How can public bodies embrace innovation without exposing themselves to new risks? AI offers incredible potential, but how do we ensure that the workforce is prepared for this revolution?

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Practical Cyber Security Checklist for SMEs

5 minute read

Feb 2026

Cyber security is no longer just a concern for large corporations. In the UK, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly targeted by cyber criminals precisely because they are often less protected. From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, the risks are growing - but the good news is that strong cyber security doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. This practical cyber security checklist, brought to you by the Public Sector Cyber Security Conference, is designed to help UK SMEs strengthen their defences, reduce risk, and build a more resilient organisation.

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The Hidden Cost of Youth Violence: What Communities Lose When Young People Slip Through the Cracks

6 minute read

Feb 2026

Youth violence is often discussed in moments of crisis. A headline. A police cordon. A court appearance. What’s rarely discussed is the costs this violence has on communities, individuals and economies. Behind every incident is usually a young person who didn’t suddenly 'go wrong', but gradually slipped through a series of cracks: in education, mental health support, youth services, housing, and community connection. The topics discussed in this article directly relate to the National Tackling Gang Crime, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026, which was held on the 29th January 2026.

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Developing a More Diverse and Modern Construction Industry: The CITB Case Study

8 minute read

Nov 2025

Construction is one of the most male-orientated industries in the UK. Only around 15% of the construction workforce are women. CITB expects 251,500 extra construction workers will be needed by 2028 to meet the expected levels of work, so a push to engage more women in the industry will lead to a more efficient and diverse workforce. Julia Stevens from the CITB recently attended our Women in Construction Conference. She called for a renewed effort to break down the barriers and drive inclusion in construction. This article explores her keynote, the challenges women often face and the changes companies can make to more effectively engage and retain women.

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Supporting Disadvantaged Students: ‘IntoUniversity’ and the Challenges of getting into Higher Education

8 minute read

Aug 2025

How can we truly level the playing field for disadvantaged students? At our Supporting Disadvantaged Students in Higher Education Conference, Dr Emily Magrath from IntoUniversity shared powerful stories and practical solutions for breaking cycles of disadvantage. From early intervention to local collaboration, her insights reveal what’s working, where challenges remain, and how universities, charities and […]

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Interview Series: Meet the Chair, Michael Sanders

3 minute read

Jul 2025

We recently held the Local Government Technology Conference, in Westminster, London. It was an exciting day of learning, networking and interesting conversation. As most of our conferences are online, when we do get to meet people face-to-face, and host speakers in a physical space, it is a wonderful feeling. Seeing all of the conversations, the […]

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Mind in Motion: How Movement Transforms Mental Health at Work

6 minute read

Jun 2025

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, conversations around mental health are no longer a luxury, they’re a necessity. At the forefront of this movement is Matt Balfour, a wellbeing content creator, public speaker, Samaritan volunteer, and the founder of Let’s Go Wellbeing. His mission is simple yet profound: to help organisations build healthier, more engaged workforces […]

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Articles

Addressing the Teacher’s Mental Health Crisis: 7 Wellbeing Pathways

6 minute read

Sep 2024

The mental health of teachers in the United Kingdom has reached a critical juncture. Recent reports indicate alarming levels of stress, burnout, and dissatisfaction within the profession, threatening the sustainability of our educational system. With approximately 78% of education staff experiencing mental health issues directly linked to their workload, and over half contemplating leaving the profession, urgent action is needed to support those who shape our future generations.

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