Primary & Early Years Education - Government Events

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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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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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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Embedding Biodiversity and Community Into the Heart of Development: Lessons from The Land Trust

10 minute read

Feb 2026

As the climate crisis deepens, sustainability has shifted from a niche concern to a core pillar of business strategy, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is redefining how the UK thinks about land use, planning and community development. Yet while legislation and metrics can guide the what of environmental policy, it’s the people and organisations behind implementation that bring the how to life. BNG is an approach to development that makes sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development. It requires developments to result in at least a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the pre-development state. This can be achieved on-site, through green infrastructure, off-site or a combination of both. Importantly, BNG is a mandatory requirement for most planning permissions in England.

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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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Videos

Everton Free School Crime Prevention Initiatives

4 minute read

Sep 2024

Stephen Baker, the principal of Everton Free School and Football College, and Assistant Head Andrew Pearl, are pioneering new strategies to address behavioural challenges and criminal exploitation among vulnerable youth in Liverpool. Their innovative approach integrates multi-agency collaboration and focuses on understanding and meeting the underlying needs of at-risk students.

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Articles

Ofsted, Funding & STEM: Advice for Headteachers on Policy Changes

6 minute read

Sep 2024

Several significant policy changes are shaping the UK education landscape, and navigating these changes is critical for schools, educators, and stakeholders. The new Ofsted framework, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, brings significant changes to how schools are evaluated.

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Articles

Addressing Disparities to Achieve Equitable School Funding in the UK

5 minute read

Aug 2024

Funding and resource allocation remain critical issues for UK schools, impacting the quality and equity of education across the nation. Understanding how these funds are distributed and managed is essential for addressing the diverse needs of students and ensuring every child has access to high-quality education.

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