On 10th February 2026, people and organisations across the UK and around the world are coming together to mark Safer Internet Day , an annual campaign that champions the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology. This year’s theme is “Smart tech, safe choices: Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI” and it feels more relevant than ever as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life for young people. AI tools are now being used for learning, cre

Choosing next steps can feel exciting, overwhelming, or a bit of both. That’s why high‑quality careers advice plays such an important role in further education. At asphaleia training, we’re committed to helping every student make informed, confident decisions about their future. This commitment is guided by the Gatsby Benchmarks, the eight evidence‑based standards that define what excellent careers education looks like in schools and colleges across the UK. The Gatsby Benchma

In our organisation, safeguarding forums play a vital role in ensuring that young people feel safe, supported and empowered to share their experiences, ideas and concerns. These forums are more than just a place for discussion; they are a commitment to listening carefully, acting responsibly and putting the wellbeing of young people at the heart of everything we do. Towards the end of last year, our Health, Safety and Safeguarding Director held four safeguarding forums with y

In May 2025, our fostering agency was rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A recognition that reflects the incredible dedication, compassion, and professionalism of our foster carers. This achievement isn’t just a badge of honor; it’s a testament to the life-changing care provided to children every single day. Over the past week, we’ve been sharing what makes our foster carers truly exceptional, based on highlights from our Ofsted inspection report. Here are some of the qualities tha

Supported accommodation plays a critical role in helping young people build stability, confidence, and independence. With Ofsted now overseeing this sector, providers are expected to work to a clear set of principles that define what good care looks like and how young people should be supported. These principles set the tone for safe environments, consistent support, and strong relationships. ofsted key principle two; my voice is respected, heard and advocated for, so I can

Are you considering becoming a foster carer and want to learn more about what’s involved? We’d love to meet you! Our Open Day is the perfect opportunity to drop in, have a chat, and find out how fostering can make a life-changing difference for children and young people. When: First Friday of the month, starting from 6th March. Any time between 9:30am and 12:30pm Where: asphaleia learning centre, 22 Liverpool Gardens, Worthing. There’s no need to book, just come along at a

This festive season was full of warmth, laughter, and shared moments across all our accommodations. Every young person received a Christmas present bag, bringing a little extra joy to the end of the year. Because each house has its own rhythm and routines, not all young people chose to take part or to celebrate in the same way. Activities were arranged around staff and young people’s availability, meaning some festivities took place before Christmas and New Year, ensuring eve

The need for foster carers is still significant with many children going into care each month. Perhaps you've considered fostering but still have lots of questions. This post is a good starting place for you. Here are some answers to some common questions about fostering. These are often things that put people off applying when actually they aren't obstacles in the first place. At asphaleia, we provide foster care placements for children and young people in West Sussex. Read

Arriving at a new foster home is a daunting experience for any child. Not only do they have to familiarise themselves with new people, but also new surroundings and routines, possibly even new foods as well. Every foster child will have their own bedroom in a home (unless they are siblings that are able to share) and the way foster carers prepare this bedroom can make all the difference to helping a child or young person feel at home. things to consider when preparing a foste

Across 2025, we’re celebrating 25 years of asphaleia through many activities and through stories on our blog. This story features an interview with Carol Ann, a member of staff who has worked at asphaleia for many years and has recently become our training manager.     How long have you worked for asphaleia and what role/s have you done? I started working for asphaleia in Uxbridge in 2006 as an outreach worker. I came to work with asphaleia when I saw an advert in a newspaper

Across 2025, we’re celebrating 25 years of asphaleia through many activities and through stories on our blog. This story features an interview with a member of staff who has worked at asphaleia previously, and continues to support the organisation through their current work.     How long did you work or have you worked for asphaleia and what role/s have you done? I worked for asphaleia for around three years as a finance administrator and as a care worker in the houses over c

The festive season has officially arrived, and what a joyful start it’s been! Across our community, young people have been busy spreading holiday magic by decorating beautiful Christmas trees in our learning centre and our supported accommodation houses. christmas in asphaleia care Not all of our young people celebrate Christmas, but most have entered into the spirit of togetherness by joining in with opening a Christmas hamper of treats that was sent to every property. Trees

As part of the functional skills employability programme at asphaleia training, students visited the Ford Recycling Centre in West Sussex to gain first‑hand insight into sustainable practices and the world of waste management. The objective of the visit was to connect classroom learning with real‑life industry experience, showing how recycling contributes to environmental responsibility and future employment opportunities. employability and careers Tutors played a guiding rol

Christmas can be a magical time, but for foster carers and the young people they care for, it can also be a sensitive and complex season. While many families have long-standing traditions, welcoming a foster child into those celebrations requires thoughtfulness, flexibility, and open communication. respecting different beliefs Not all children celebrate Christmas. Some may come from different religious or cultural backgrounds. In these cases, carers should be prepared to supp

Christmas is coming and for some it is a time for celebrating and having fun. However, Christmas can also bring up a lot of negative feelings. December can be a difficult time for people due to things like past trauma and family problems. Also, a lot of places you would usually go to for support are closed for the holidays and you may not know where to turn to. However, there are still some services open or partially open over Christmas where you can go to get support with yo

On the first Friday of every month we run an open day event. Book an appointment and find out about all the services we offer children and young people , including further education and training for 16-18 year-olds, supported accommodation for 16+, and our fostering agency. Feel free to come down if you're interested in being a foster carer and meet our agency manager who can answer any questions you have. next open day Friday 9th January, 9:30am-12:30pm The next three open

The UK government has announced a major reform to post-16 education: the introduction of V-Levels , a new qualification designed to simplify choices for students and strengthen vocational pathways. But what exactly are V-Levels, how do they differ from existing options, and what subjects will they cover? In this blog post, you’ll find V-Levels explained in detail, covering what they are, how they work, and why they matter for post-16 education. what are v-levels? V-Levels are

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the world around us—from voice assistants and self-driving cars to medical breakthroughs and creative tools. If you, or a young person you know is curious about technology and wants a career that’s exciting, future-proof, and impactful, AI could be the perfect path forward. why AI? AI is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. Companies need people who can design, build, and manage intelligent systems. The best part? There’s a w

Supported accommodation plays a critical role in helping young people build stability, confidence, and independence. With Ofsted now overseeing this sector, providers are expected to work to a clear set of principles that define what good care looks like and how young people should be supported. These principles set the tone for safe environments, consistent support, and strong relationships. ofsted key principle one; young people should feel safe The first principle is simp

Respect and celebrating difference were key themes last week as students from asphaleia marked Anti-bullying Week in November 2025. Respect for each other’s differences was shown in visual form when students at the learning centre designed and displayed pictures showing odd socks. Students with a variety of different nationalities, languages, cultures and beliefs were encouraged to respect difference. Some worked as a group to identify and write basic ideas on how we can resp