The latest news
Register your interest: HSCP Race, Racism and Safeguarding Focus Groups
Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) has commissioned Laurelle Brown Training and Consultancy to undertake an independent review focused on race, racism, equality, diversity and inclusion within safeguarding practice.
As part of this work, we are inviting practitioners working with children, young people and families to register their interest in participating in an online focus group.
Focus groups are one of several activities being undertaken to gain insight into current practice, partnership culture and opportunities for improvement across the safeguarding system. Sessions will provide a space for open discussion about professional experiences, barriers, strengths and opportunities for change.
The focus groups will:
- be held online via Microsoft Teams;
- last approximately 90 minutes
- include up to 12 participants per session; and
- follow a semi-structured discussion format facilitated independently.
We are keen to hear from practitioners across all agencies, including health, education, children’s social care, police, voluntary and community organisations, and faith organisations.
To register your interest and availability, please complete this form by 9am, Monday 8th June: Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Racism Review - Focus Group Registration – Fill in form
Places will be allocated to support a broad and balanced range of perspectives across agencies, roles and backgrounds. You will receive confirmation of whether you have been allocated a place by Wednesday 10th June.
Thank you for your interest and support.
Introducing a New Young Carers Offer for Hertfordshire
Hosted during Carers Week- Introducing a New Young Carers Offer for Hertfordshire
Date- Wednesday 10th June, 1-2pm
Speakers – Sue Chapman, Service Manager and Gemma Roake, Young Carers Team Manager.
This one-hour webinar will introduce you to the new Young Carers offer in Hertfordshire, help you identify young carers in your service and advise what you can do to support them using the following tools:
- Young Carers Levels of Need Guidance
- HCC’s Young Carers webpage
Who is this training for?
Anyone who works with children and anyone who works with adults who have an illness, disability, a mental health problem or an alcohol or substance misuse problem, and have children, because the children may be young carers.
Please visit our website and book here: - Event : Hosted-during-Carers-Week--Introducing-a-New-Young-Carers-Offer-for-Hertfordshire - 35753
Hertfordshire's renewed focus on reducing missed CYPMHS appointments
As part of all the work happening at a national and regional level to increase productivity and reduce waiting lists, Herts CYPMHS are renewing their focus on ensuring there is more understanding about the impact of missed appointments on our productivity. We are also making sure that our service providers, “Did not attend” (DNA) and “Was not brought” (WNB) policies and processes are consistent, robust and fully explained to young people, parents and carers at their initial assessment. They also need to be embedded into and discussed as part of the regular clinical supervision process.
Best practice examples for reducing DNA/WNBs
One Herts CYPMHS service provider reduced their waiting times and DNAs significantly by drilling down into their data and reviewing their policies and processes to create an improvement action plan which included:
- A phone call for each referral
- Refining their service criteria and working with other services as part of “waiting well"
- Help from volunteers and university students
- Using digitalised referral forms
- Explaining their DNA policy at the assessment
- Discussing and recording outcome measures on the client’s penultimate session, to allow their last session to focus on their next steps (leaving a service can feel scary).
Another Herts CYPMHS service provider has used parent/carer feedback to improve their feedback forms and letters which now include service information, numbers of sessions, what will happen next and when, what they can do in the meantime, as well as their missed appointments (DNA/WNB) policy. This has resulted in less queries and less DNAs/WNBs.
For more ideas, there is also national NHS guidance regarding DNAs/WNBs here.
In partnership with colleagues working in the Herts CYPMHS system, we have developed some messages for partners to share with colleagues, young people, parents and carers.
The DNA/WNB problem is particularly prevalent in the summer and in December, so we suggest that services share the messages with service users at these times of the year, as well as during their initial assessment. The messages can also be shared in other communications with service users, as well as via different organisation social media channels. The messages will form part of our monthly communications toolkits for communications colleagues in April - August and November - December. Please E: lisa.gazeley@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you would like to be added to the distribution list.
Support for young people during exam season
With the exam season now fully underway, this can at times feel overwhelming for some children and young people and those closest to them. There are practical things they can do before, during and after tests and exams to help them to prepare properly and manage their stress levels during the revision and exam season which is so important.
With Youth/Lumi Nova
Changes in routine alongside exam pressure can often lead to anxiety and worry. Lumi Nova Tales of Courage, is a fun, safe, interactive mobile app with a range of missions to help children manage anxiety and build confidence and resilience. Designed for 7-12-year-olds, Lumi Nova is instantly accessible to children and young people in Hertfordshire through BFB Labs' partnership with Hertfordshire Mind Network’s With Youth Digital Wellbeing Service.
The wider With Youth Digital Wellbeing Service has a team of trained mental health workers on hand every day except Bank Holidays to help young people via free emotional wellbeing resources, online live chats, one to one sessions and age-appropriate support in online groups. Online sessions can be used to support young people with a wide range of needs, including helping them with exam/revision stress:
- managing and balancing exam stress, revision, social life and self-care
- developing coping strategies for managing stress
- sharing resources and worksheets around wellbeing, revision timetables, exam stress
- goal setting and support in achieving goals (either exam related, or wellbeing related or next steps/transitions)
- flexible sessions to fit to the young person's schedule during the exam period
- further support through instant messaging so that the young person can access advice and help as and when needed
- a safe space to explore their feelings and goals.
Online emotional wellbeing groups
Alongside their age-appropriate online groups: Calm Minds; Creative Minds; Anger Avengers and more, With Youth also run Road to Transition online groups for Year Six children in the summer term. E: withyouth@hertfordshiremind.org. to find out more and register an interest.
Please let Hertfordshire’s young people, parents and carers you are working with about this helpful free service and find out more about With Youth here.
Read the full story here…
Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2031 explainer video
Following the recent launch of Your Care, Your Future: Hertfordshire’s Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026–2031, we’re pleased to share a short explainer video to help bring the strategy to life. The video features the voice of care‑experienced children and young people and explains the seven priorities that will guide our work to improve outcomes for children in care and care leavers for the next 5 years. Please take time to watch the video, read the strategy, and consider how the priorities link to your role. We’d also encourage you to share the video and strategy with your teams and professional networks.
Watch the video or visit Corporate Parenting Strategy | Hertfordshire County Council to read the full strategy.
Check out Hertfordshire's Summer 26 Parenting and Relationship Courses
You can view the Summer 2026 Parenting and Relationship Support Offer Newsletter which will provide you with information and details on Parenting Courses and Relationship Support offer. Please can you ensure you cascade to your teams. If you have any questions please email CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk .
Please also visit the Hertfordshire Directory for more parenting courses.
Is your Service listed on the Hertfordshire Directory?
Providers, services, groups and individuals can request a login and once approved, they can create a comprehensive listing and receive direct referrals if they wish. This can include key information such as what they do, who they support, when and where they work and their website for more information.
There are some short YouTube videos to help people get started:
There’s also a How to step-by-step guide online
If you have any questions, queries or feedback about the Directory, or need support accessing it, please email:
anne.ardley@hertfordshire.gov.uk or web.team@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Reducing Parental Conflict Training Opportunities for Professionals
eLearning Module:
- Attend the Families First Induction Sessions for an overview presentation email Families First Support to be added to the next induction session FamiliesFirst.Support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
- Access OnePlusOne Getting on Better e-learning
Getting on Better e-learning is a self-guided online course for practitioners working with parents and families. It is designed to help you feel more confident in supporting parents to improve their relationships, and to familiarise you with the Getting on Better resources.
There are 4 modules to complete each module will take approximately 45 minutes and can be completed at your own pace. You will have 3 months to complete the modules.
The modules will cover:
Module 1: The impact of parental conflict.
In this module you will learn about the evidence base behind the resources and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of parental conflict.
Module 2: Recognising domestic abuse.
The Getting on Better package is not suitable for families where domestic abuse is a factor. In this module you will learn to recognise the difference between domestic abuse and parental conflict, spot the signs and risks, and take appropriate steps.
Module 3: Introduction to the Getting on Better package.
Here you’ll learn about the resources in the Getting on Better package. You’ll also have a chance to explore the parent interventions for yourself.
Module 4: Building your confidence.
In this module you will learn how to discuss relationships with parents, as well as the best ways to apply the Getting on Better resources to real-life situations to create learning moments.
How to access: Please complete the OnePlusOne Getting on Better e-learning training request form
This training is FREE to organisations supporting families in Hertfordshire if you are unsure if your organisation qualifies for access please contact CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer website - raising awareness
The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer lets parents, young people and professionals know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.
Download the 5 ways the SEND Local Offer can help and share with your teams.
Hertfordshire SEND Community Activities Directory
Are you looking for local activities and SEND services for a child or young person with SEND?
The SEND community activities directory promotes a wide range of local activities and support groups. Some activities will also include discounts for families registered with a Herts Card (SEND).
We will be adding additional activities on a regular basis.
If there are any activities you know of or wish to see promoted through this directory please email us on: SENDcommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Find fun, inclusive activities your child will love – all in one place! Explore the SEND community directory
Broadening Opportunity Across Hertfordshire with Connect to Work
Step2Skills are proud to share that Hertfordshire’s Connect to Work programme is growing, with new specialist partners joining to strengthen support for residents facing barriers to employment.
Led locally by Step2Skills, Connect to Work offers personalised, place‑and‑train employment support for people with disabilities, health conditions, or other personal challenges—helping them not just find work, but stay and thrive in meaningful jobs.
From this month, Step2Skills are delighted to welcome three new delivery partners:
✅ Action Deafness, bringing Deaf‑led, accessible employment support for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people
✅ Get Set UK, offering tailored employability support focused on confidence, job‑readiness and in‑work success
✅ Watford Women's Centre, providing specialist wellbeing services, careers advice, ESOL, IT and employability support
They join existing partners Sunnyside Rural Trust, SPS Training Solutions and HACRO in Herts, with Hertfordshire Mind Network also joining shortly to provide specialist mental health employment support.
Together, these organisations bring deep expertise, lived experience and strong community links, ensuring Connect to Work can tackle a wider range of employment barriers across the county.
Hertfordshire is proud to be one of the first areas benefiting from the Government’s £100m Connect to Work investment, helping people and employers unlock the benefits of inclusive, sustainable employment.
👉 Employers: Step2Skills welcomes local, Hertfordshire employers to become part of their Inclusive Employer network. Step2Skills offers recruitment support and opportunities, job matching, guidance on reasonable adjustments and ongoing advice to help build inclusive workplaces. Email: Employers@hertfordshire.gov.uk to start the conversation.
👉 Residents (18+): if you’re unemployed or at risk of losing work due to health, disability or personal challenges, support is available.
Find out more via www.step2skills.org.uk/ConnectToWork, call 01992 556194 or email Step2Skills@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
News from Services for Young People
Services for Young People supports the UK Government’s Safer Streets initiative in Dacorum
Services for Young People (SfYP) led on establishing the Young Futures Dacorum Pathfinder Project in line with the UK Government’s Safer Streets initiative in Dacorum.
SfYP worked with the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner to bring together a multi-agency panel chaired by a local head teacher.
From November 2025 to March 2026 the panel identified and allocated support to 17 young people aged 10-16 who were known to local police. SfYP Youth Workers and Advisers provided intensive support to each young person and to date, 15 of the 17 young people have had no further dealings with the police.
Representatives from the Home Office visited the panel and agreed it was an example of good practice.
May half term activities at Hudnall Park for young people with SEND
During the May 2026 half term holidays, SfYP is offering adventurous outdoor activities for young people aged 13-19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
The activities are designed to inspire and empower young people while developing their social, emotional and physical skills in a safe and supportive environment. Young people can enjoy a range of activities including a thrilling zip line adventure, creative woodland arts & crafts, a fun physical challenge course, and a relaxing nature trail.
The activities are funded by HCC Short Breaks, so families only pay a small charge of £7 for each 2-hour activity or £17.50 if they stay for the full day.
635 young people with SEND complete survey about their health and wellbeing
The results of the SEND Young People’s Health & Wellbeing Survey have now been published. The survey was developed and delivered by Public Health Hertfordshire in partnership with SfYP to find out more about the experiences of young people with special educational needs and disabilities, what is important to them and the challenges they face. The survey findings provide valuable insights into how schools, commissioners, and a wide range of agencies and service providers can better support young people with SEND in all areas of Hertfordshire.
Read more about the survey and view the results
Health and development advice for families and those working with young children
Hertfordshire's Family Centre Service have very useful information and webinars for you to share with families on the topics of:-
Family Toolkit
The family Toolkit is running For families with children aged 2 to 5 years old in Borehamwood. A great course to learn some new ideas about how to manage children’s behaviour and get the best out of family life. Booking is required! MORE INFORMATION: hertsfamilycentres.org CALL US ON 0300 123 7572
New Nursing Contract Awarded to Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Public health nursing services will continue to be provided by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust following the award of a new contract from 1 April 2026. The service is delivered by health visitors and school nurses to children and families across Hertfordshire. It already operates as part of the wider Family Centre Service, delivered in partnership with One YMCA, to provide universal and targeted support for Hertfordshire’s families.
The service meets the changing needs of the local population, promotes innovation and has an enhanced focus on addressing health inequalities. Under the new contract, additional pre-school checks will be provided for some children and an annual health and wellbeing offer provided to children missing from education or electively home educated.
The successful tender from Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust included detailed plans for automating processes to release more time for front line staff to spend with residents and commits to developing a 'tell us once' system for engaging families. Refreshed approaches for antenatal checks and breastfeeding will ensure expectant and new parents have access to the specific support that they need.
As a result of transforming the way Public Health Nursing is delivered, we will have a strong, effective Health Visiting and School Nursing service, offering the best possible support to infants, children, young people and their families across Hertfordshire.
"Public Health has worked with a range of stakeholders over the last two years to transform the Public Health Nursing Service. I'm proud that as a result of that partnership working, the new service provides a more comprehensive and inclusive offer for families and children, and supports other parts of the health, care and education system in delivering shared priorities. This service, provided by a dedicated, highly skilled and passionate Public Health Nursing workforce will deliver good public health outcomes for Hertfordshire's families, infants, children and young people, so that they receive the best start in life, and continue to thrive as they grow.
- Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire County Council
"We are delighted to be continuing to deliver the public health nursing services for Hertfordshire. We know that our staff, working with our partners, are best placed to anticipate, understand and respond to the health and wellbeing needs of local residents. Through the new contract, we will be delivering the same high-quality care and support to babies, children and families, with key changes which reflect the changing local and national priorities for health and care, including increased digitisation, enhanced integration and co-delivery and streamlined admin processes.
- Elliot Howard-Jones, CEO of HCT
Health & Wellbeing Strategy Survey – your input needed (closes 19 June)
The Hertfordshire Health & Wellbeing Board is inviting partners supporting children and young people to complete a short survey to review progress on the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022–2026, now extended to March 2028.
Your feedback is essential in helping the Board understand the difference your work is making in communities, where challenges remain, and where collective effort should be focused over the next 12 – 24 months. We’re keen to hear about:
- The impact of your work for children and young people
- What is working well in delivering the Strategy
- Barriers to progress and what would help address them
- Evidence of impact (including stories, feedback and lived experience, not just KPIs)
Survey Link: Health and Wellbeing Strategy Stakeholder Survey 2026
Case studies welcome: Short case studies are strongly encouraged to showcase good practice and learning (see template). These can be completed alongside your survey response or emailed to HWB.partners@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
The survey takes 10–15 minutes to complete and closes on 19 June 2026
Asbestos in sand – new GOV.UK landing page for GB only
OPSS has worked across government to launch a new GOV.UK landing page ‘Asbestos in consumer products - GOV.UK’ to support local authorities, schools, businesses and consumers and other stakeholders.
The page brings together consumer advice, business guidance and information for workplaces and schools, including practical steps on what to do and how to dispose of affected products safely. (This guidance applies to England, Scotland and Wales.)
Please share the landing page widely within your authority and with relevant partners. We would also welcome feedback on the clarity and ease of use of the page: Asbestos in consumer products - GOV.UK