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Every September brings fresh opportunities to support young people. It is also an important time to review the guidance that helps professionals keep children safe. At asphaleia, safeguarding remains central to everything we do. Before the start of term, all staff were asked to read Part 1 and Annex A of the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance. This helps ensure that everyone understands their safeguarding responsibilities and remains up to date with na

Building confidence with money is an important part of Functional Skills maths. A recent Money Bingo activity gave learners a practical and engaging way to develop these skills while connecting their learning to situations they may encounter in everyday life. Using pretend money, learners practised recognising coins and notes before counting money and matching different amounts. The activity also encouraged them to add money values together, reinforcing essential maths skills

Today, 14th of October 2026, a new national government-led campaign is encouraging more people to consider whether fostering could have a place in their lives. The Become a foster carer campaign is challenging some of the assumptions that can prevent people from taking that first step. Its message is:“You already have what it takes. Just share it.” The campaign website explains that fostering can be more open, flexible and supported than many people expect. It also reminds us

On the 10th of October, World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health and consider what meaningful change looks like. This year’s theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”, feels particularly relevant to our work with young people at asphaleia. every story matters Mental health affects people in different ways, which is why listening to those with lived experience is so important. Behind every statistic is an individual w

Are you looking for a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of young people? At asphaleia, we are currently recruiting for House Support Workers and Tutors to join our dedicated team. These roles offer the opportunity to support young people as they develop confidence and gain new skills. join a team that changes lives Every day, our staff help young people overcome challenges, achieve personal goals and access opportunities that can have a lasti

The Department for Education’s new policy paper on enduring relationships places a clear focus on something many care-experienced children and young people have been telling us for years: lasting, trusted relationships matter. The paper sets out a vision of a care system where every child grows up surrounded by people who provide stability, belonging and support into adulthood. Enduring relationships defines these connections as important, consistent and lasting relationships

Back in June, colleagues from across our services came together for a full-day Team Development Day focused on strengthening practice, sharing knowledge and enhancing the support we provide to young people. looking back and looking ahead A young person's artwork created to personalise their room We started the day with service updates, reflecting on the period from April 2025 to March 2026. Teams reviewed key performance data, staffing updates, contract developments and examp

If you're interested in becoming a foster care you may or may not have heard about the part of the process that involves your application being reviewed by a panel of independent professionals. It can sound intimidating but it's not something to feel concerned about. This blog post aims to inform you and reassure you that going to panel can actually be a positive part of the application process, and is essential for ensuring carers are appointed who will be able to provide qu

September marks Sexual Health Awareness Month, an annual campaign that encourages greater understanding of sexual and reproductive health and the role it plays in overall wellbeing. The campaign aims to promote access to trusted information, reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about sexual health. The NHS highlights that sexual health awareness month helps raise understanding of sexual and reproductive health, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and acces

As the East Sussex Advocacy and Independent Visiting Services move to a new provider following the end of the current contract, we are proud to reflect on the positive difference these services have made for children and young people across the county during asphaleia's delivery. Supporting children and young people to have their voices heard and helping them build trusted, meaningful relationships has been at the heart of both services. While we are naturally sad to say goo

September can feel like a fresh start moment if you're a student of any kind. Whether you're starting a new course or programme, or returning for another year, it's a moment to set the tone for the months ahead. At asphaleia training, we want to give a huge welome to new and returning students and look forward to helping you achieve your goals this term. tips for starting the new term strong A new term is a chance to reset, build good habits and set yourself up for success. W

Earlier this summer, some young people in one of our supported accommodation properties were given the opportunity to create meaningful displays for their rooms using images and photographs that are important to them. They gathered images that inspire them, including drawings and personal pictures of special people in their lives. The final stage of the project involved each young person choosing how they wanted to present their collection and framing their artwork themselves

Thr fourth priniciple in Ofsted’s key principles for supported accommodation is: “I have my own space that I feel proud of and live in comfortable, well-maintained, and stable accommodation.” For young people living in supported accommodation, having a safe and comfortable home is about far more than bricks and mortar. A well-maintained environment helps create a sense of security and stability. It provides the foundation from which young people can build independence, develo

As the academic year draws to a close, asphaleia training has been celebrating the achievements of students across our programmes with a series of end of year events that recognised hard work, progress, and exciting plans for the future. celebrating academic year success and looking ahead Last Wednesday, students from several On Track groups visited throughout the morning to collect their maths certificates. Students arrived at different times, creating a relaxed and welcomin

The prospect of six weeks with the children at home for the summer can be daunting as well as something to look forward to. Especially at the moment, when budgets are tight for many, entertaining children for such a lengthy time is hard. We wanted to share some tips and ideas for helping make the summer holidays manageable, fun, budget-friendly, and memorable for you and your family. plan the summer holidays in advance for your fostering family Setting expectations is key whe

This week, our careers advisor and a tutor took two groups of students to The Sid Youth Employability Hub in Worthing as part of the careers education aspect of their programmes. The SID Youth team member who delivered both sessions provided students with valuable information about employability, including how to create effective CVs and cover letters. They explained the importance of having a well-prepared CV when applying for both paid employment and voluntary roles, highli

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is creating plenty of excitement across our supported accommodation services, with young people and staff coming together to enjoy the tournament in a variety of ways. Every house has received a World Cup wall chart, giving young people the chance to track fixtures, record scores, and follow their favourite teams throughout the competition. The charts have quickly become a focal point in many homes, sparking conversations and friendly debates. For some

This July, Work Experience Month is taking place for the first time. It aims to shine a spotlight on the value of workplace learning and the important role it plays in helping young people explore career options, develop employability skills, and build confidence for the future. Supported by organisations across the careers and education sector, including the National Careers Service, the initiative encourages students, employers, schools, colleges and careers professionals t

Last week, a group of eight asphaleia students visited Guild Care's Holland House in Worthing to learn more about volunteering, employability and the valuable role charities play in supporting local communities. The visit was led by members of the training team and students received a warm welcome from George, Guild Care's Volunteer Manager, alongside colleagues Nathan and Sarah. During the workshop, students were introduced to the wide range of services provided by Guild Car

Are you passionate about helping young people achieve their potential? Do you believe in the power of education and personal development to transform lives? We're excited to be recruiting for two rewarding roles within our further education and training provision, supporting students aged 16-19 as they develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for their next steps in education and employment. job vacancy; tutor As a Tutor, you will play a vital role in delivering hi