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Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (11th–17th May) is led by the Mental Health Foundation and focuses on a simple but powerful message: take action. This theme reflects a growing recognition that awareness alone is not enough. The Foundation highlights that even small actions can help us feel more hopeful, less overwhelmed, and better connected to others. At a time when many people understand the importance of mental health but struggle to prioritise it, the campaign encourage

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s largest campaign to raise awareness of fostering. This year it runs from Monday 11th of May to Sunday 24th of May, with the theme ‘This is Fostering’. The theme invites us to pause and reflect on what fostering really looks like today. It brings together real experiences, recognises current pressures, and calls for change across the system. At its heart, this campaign is about people. the reality of everyday fostering Fostering is often descr

Recently, colleagues from across asphaleia came together for one of our HR forums. These sessions are designed to create a supportive and respectful space where staff can listen, reflect and share perspectives on issues that affect our working lives and the children and young people we serve. This particular forum touched on wider societal themes that many people encounter in their day-to-day lives, both inside and outside of work. While the subject matter was complex, the in

asphaleia training was pleased to welcome Emily, Claire and Jo from the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) for an engaging careers session with our Equip and Work group students. SPFT is a major mental health trust providing care across the South East, and the team introduced students to the wide range of clinical and non‑clinical career opportunities available within the NHS. The team shared insights into roles such as psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, f

We are delighted to share that asphaleia has achieved the We invest in people accreditation from Investors in People. This accreditation recognises that strong principles and practices are in place to support our people, and that everyone understands how to use them to make work better. Most importantly, this is a shared achievement. We want to say thank you to every member of our staff team for their contribution and dedication. staff feedback Our assessment gave us a valua

On 15th April 2026, staff accompanied nine students from the Equip and Work groups to Worthing Museum. The visit began with a warm welcome from Gerry, Head of Exhibitions, and Anna, the museum’s Education Coordinator. They delivered an informative presentation about starting a career in the museum sector, outlining the wide range of roles available. Entry‑level opportunities include retail and visitor‑service positions, while more specialist posts often require higher qualifi

Last month, asphaleia shared its annual staff awards with colleagues across the organisation. These awards are designed to recognise exceptional contributions and commitment shown over the past year. While the awards highlight individual staff achievements, we value the hard work and dedication of every member of our team. In January, staff were invited to nominate colleagues for two of the awards, guided by the asphaleia values and how those values are demonstrated in day‑to

Ofsted’s third key principle for supported accommodation focuses on the importance of young people receiving support from staff who are capable and consistent. Skilled staff create safer environments, build stronger relationships and help young people feel appropriately supported. Our approach is built on consistent learning, reflective practice, a commitment to safe and thoughtful care, and defined policy and practice. Below is an overview of how we demonstrate this standard

Recently, we were delighted to welcome an outreach worker from Brighton’s Sexual Health and Contraception Service (SHAC), to Liverpool Gardens. They visited our site to deliver an introductory session for staff, offering insights into their team’s work and the specialist sexual health support available to the young people we serve. Staff from across our training centre and supported houses were invited to join the session either in person or via Microsoft Teams. It proved to

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 the following to find out more about fostering and what's involved. Do we need a large spare bedroom? No, the room does not need to be excessively big. Your spare bedroom, of any size, could become a room to

At the start of the month, we had a fantastic and inspiring Careers Week filled with guest speakers, hands‑on resources, and plenty of opportunities for students to explore their futures. Across three busy days, students engaged with employers, gained insights into different industries, and discovered new pathways available to them both locally and nationally. day 1: launching national careers week The week began with a refreshed careers noticeboard in a central student space

Whether you have had experience looking after children or not, it can feel like an intimidating prospect to become a foster carer. Perhaps you’re keen to give back to your community and believe you can offer a child a place of safety. But you’re concerned you don’t have the skills needed to give a child in a care the support they need to thrive. In this blog post, we want to highlight some transferable skills that we are confident you will have gained in work and life, an

The 18th March 2026 is national child exploitation awareness day, #CEADay26. It is a day to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation and encourage everyone to think, spot, and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to child exploitation. CE Day is led by the NWG charity CCE or CSE can happen to any child or young person. We encourage you to speak to children and young people you live or work with to discuss these topics, to educate them to recognise pos

We now know that the human brain continues developing well into our mid‑twenties, and some research even suggests that people don’t fully reach adulthood until their thirties. Yet our ideas about “being an adult” vary wildly. For some, it’s paying bills, raising children, or taking on responsibilities their parents once held. Others never quite feel like adults at all. So why do we draw such firm legal lines? At 18, you’re considered an adult in the eyes of the law. You can

This week marks National Careers Week 2026 (2–7 March) . It's a nationwide celebration dedicated to empowering young people as they explore future career pathways. The week provides a valuable moment in the academic calendar to shine a spotlight on careers guidance, helping students explore different careers and feel inspired about what comes next. why national careers week matters National Careers Week (NCW) brings together schools, colleges, universities, employers and org

Fostering a child can be incredibly rewarding, giving you the chance to make a meaningful difference in the life of a young person who needs stability and support. If you’re passionate about helping children and creating positive change, it can also be a fulfilling career path. Becoming a foster carer means welcoming a child, or sometimes a parent and child, into your home full‑time. While fostering is a paid role, the way payment works is a little different from a traditiona

At the heart of our work with young people is a simple belief: think their world . Everyone deserves to feel welcomed, understood, and supported from the very start. For many of the young people who join our supported accommodation services, English isn’t their first language, and we know that navigating new systems, services, and expectations can feel overwhelming when information isn’t easily accessible. That’s why we’re excited to share that we’ve now created translated ve

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