This suite of resources provide practitioners with relevant and up-to-date information and resources to help them more effectively support these vulnerable learners and their families:

Supporting learners who offend or are at risk of offending – Education is a key partner in supporting these vulnerable learners by helping them to stay engaged with learning and improve their life chances. This resource provides information, resources, research-based evidence and a range of approaches which could help schools create inclusive, calm, learning environments which promote positive behaviour, identify and address learning needs, and support social and emotional wellbeing

Disclosure: What practitioners need to know – Educational practitioners can help children and young people understand what disclosure means and also understand that having a criminal record is not ‘the end of the world’ and does not mean that they are unemployable. This resource busts a few myths and provides simplified and up-to-date information about disclosure.

The Children’s Hearing: What practitioners should know – This resource provides Educational Practitioners with information about the CHS and resources to help them more effectively support children and families going through this experience.

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place on 10-16 May 2021 and this year’s theme is nature. Find out more information as to how to get involved here Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

Preventing radicalisation & extremism Thursday 10^th June 9.30am – 12.30am

Education Scotland, in collaboration with the Prevent team at Scottish Government will be hosting a webinar for safeguarding / child protection education leads within the local authority along with local authority Prevent leads to share a range of new professional learning resources and learning & teaching resources available to upskill practitioner’s understanding of what to look out for in relation to preventing radicalisation and extremism as well as new resources to support PSE delivery that can be shared at local level.

If you would be interested in attending this session, please contact lorna.aitken@educationscotland.gov.scot

New online professional learning modules update.

We have refreshed existing modules and published 2 new ones. They follow the  National Model of Professional Learning developed by Education Scotland which underlines that professional learning should challenge and develop thinking, knowledge, skills and understanding and should be underpinned by developing skills of enquiry and criticality.

Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice

The 3 modules on dyslexia and inclusive practice have been refreshed and updated and are available through the link below. Developed in partnership with Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Dyslexia Scotland and the Open University these 3 incremental modules provide practitioners, managers and local authority staff with a deeper understanding of the Scottish context for inclusion and dyslexia.

OLCreate: Dyslexia Scotland (open.edu)

Introduction to Autism and  Inclusive practice

This introductory module aims to support to develop an awareness of what autism is, its impact and how it can be supported within an inclusive school community.

OLCreate: Education Scotland – Inclusion and Equalities (open.edu)

Inclusion in Practice: The CIRCLE Framework: Primary

The CIRCLE Framework of Inclusion materials have been adapted by Education Scotland in consultation with Edinburgh City and Queen Margaret University and incorporates the 2021 edition of the manual/resource  This module aims to support class room practitioners:

• Understanding of how to promote effective inclusive practice using the CIRCLE Framework of inclusion
• Awareness of how to promote a learner centred approach where learners are listened to and involved in the management of their own learning
• Awareness of tools to support the documentation of evidence of assessment and input.

OLCreate: Education Scotland – Inclusion and Equalities (open.edu)

STEM Grants Programme – £400,000 available in funding – Bids supporting ASN and STEM

Education Scotland has launched Round 3 of its STEM Grants Programme to support professional learning in STEM including Numeracy and Mathematics. Bids supporting early learning and childcare, ASN, community learning and development and school technicians are especially encouraged. Apply by 24 May 2021. More information is available from: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/stemnation/stem-grants-2021/

This course builds on the skills learned in ‘An Introduction to Creativity Across Learning’, which participants should have attended prior to this course, to embed creativity into practice. Through practical and fun exercises, individual reflection, small group work and whole group discussion, participants will examine more deeply the suite of creativity skills and the relationship between them. We will also consider how some of these exercises can be used for planning and assessment of learning as well as for staff and team development.

Participants will:
– gain a deeper understanding of the creative process and skills;
– examine how to meaningfully embed creative learning and teaching into practice;
– examine and discuss different ways creativity can be developed across learning;
– create tools/resources/plans to share with other participants.

This course is for SEIC practitioners from any sector and at any stage in their career, although will be of particular benefit to practitioners who have not previously lead or developed creative learning specifically. Participants do not need to have any specific interest in the arts to benefit from this course. The course will be a blend of practical exercises and discussion and is designed to be fun!
The session is being offered on two different dates/times.

Please use the hyperlinks below to sign-up via Eventbrite:
Wednesday 26th May 1615-1745
Tuesday 1st June 1615-1745

For more information, please get in touch with Charlotte Bennett, Education Support Officer for Creative Learning for the SEIC: charlotte.bennett@edinburgh.gov.uk

PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM SERIOUS HARM FROM
DOMESTIC ABUSE: ASSESSING RISKS AND REFERRING TO MARAC
(MULTI AGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT CONFERENCE)

Tuesday 29th June 2021, 10am -12:30pm

Introduction
A MARAC is a multi-agency meeting where information is shared about the victims at the highest risk of serious harm or murder due to domestic abuse. The meeting provides a safe environment for agencies to share relevant information about current risk, after which the Chair summarises risks and ask agencies to offer actions to increase safety. At the heart of a MARAC is the working assumption that no single agency or individual can see the complete picture of the life of a victim, but all may have insights that are crucial to their safety. This training will provide key information about the overall MARAC process, the crucial role you play in reducing risks for families and how to use the Domestic Abuse Stalking, Harassment and Honour-based Violence Risk Identification Checklist (DASH RIC).

Who is this learning for?
This training is aimed at team leaders and frontline workers who are working with people who may be experiencing domestic abuse.

Are there any pre-requisites for attending this course?
Applicants must have a firm grounding in Violence Against Women and Girls to access this course. Prior to attending, all participants should complete the Domestic Abuse Awareness Raising Tool at https://www.daart.scot/#/ and have attended the Improving our practice on Violence Against Women and Girls: Spotlight on Domestic Abuse training.

How will the training be delivered?
This training will take place on a virtual basis, using Microsoft Teams. You should only sign up to this course if you are able to attend and can access the training via Microsoft Teams.

What are the learning outcomes?
Participants will:
• Understand our definition of domestic abuse.
• Have an understanding of the local context and our multi-agency approach to domestic abuse.
• Be able to carry out a Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour-based Violence Risk Assessment.
• Have an understanding of what MARAC is, how it works and their role.

How do I apply?
Speak to your line manager about whether this course is suitable for your role and level of experience. Demand for this course will be high, therefore you are required to seek your manager’s approval, ensure that you are available on the day, and that you have protected time to attend before enrolling. You can then apply by completing the enrolment form below. The closing date for booking on this course is Friday 28th May 2021. Applicants will be notified shortly thereafter if they have been allocated a space on this course.

Enrolment Form

National Numeracy Day 2021- Are you a numbers champion?

National Numeracy Day will take place on 19th May 2021. Education Scotland and the Scottish Government will again participate as lead supporters of the campaign in the hope of encouraging all adults in Scotland to brush up on their numbers skills.

This year will celebrate numbers by hosting a virtual festival, packed full of practical advice from celebrities and experts, inspirational stories from real-life learners and a host of free online events and resources. The festival will focus on three key themes; supporting children’s numeracy, managing your money and numeracy for work.

Get involved!

Since 2018, Scotland has had record numbers of community organisations, adult learning providers, schools and businesses signing up to be numeracy champions. When you sign up to be a National Numeracy Day Champion you will receive free, fun materials and resources to use and share, and join over 1,300 other Champions helping the nation to feel good about numbers. All participants will have access to an online number skills checker called ‘The Challenge’ that will help signpost to resources to improve number skills.

To be a champion you could run an online event, you could circulate resources to learners/parents or you could just simply promote the campaign via social media to your partners and stakeholders. You can sign up to be a Champion by clicking this link.

There is also a schools competition running for pupils aged 4 – 12. Children are being asked to create a picture of their dream job or favourite hobby and explain the different number skills it needs. The winning entry will be awarded a fantastic prize bundle including a £1000+ school maths kit and a school assembly visit from Bobby Seagull, TV celebrity and maths teacher.

To find out more please visit https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday

Numeracy Academy for the Early Years

Developing pedagogy and practice

■ Are you interested in developing your understanding of how your learners become confident with number?
■ Would you like to develop strategies to enhance skill development for your children and understand how to support their next steps?

Number Academy training will help you to support numeracy development in your setting through exploring the sequence of skill development, the different aspects of numerical development and recognise how your everyday routines and experiences can embed numeracy rich learning. Cohort for 2020-21 is currently underway.

Contact the Early Learning and Support Team if you’re interested in joining the 2021-22 sessions.

elccenquiries@eastlothian.gov.uk

National Numeracy Day 2021- Are you a numbers champion?

National Numeracy Day will take place on 19th May 2021. Education Scotland and the Scottish Government will again participate as lead supporters of the campaign in the hope of encouraging all adults in Scotland to brush up on their numbers skills.

This year will celebrate numbers by hosting a virtual festival, packed full of practical advice from celebrities and experts, inspirational stories from real-life learners and a host of free online events and resources. The festival will focus on three key themes; supporting children’s numeracy, managing your money and numeracy for work.
Get involved!

Since 2018, Scotland has had record numbers of community organisations, adult learning providers, schools and businesses signing up to be numeracy champions. When you sign up to be a National Numeracy Day Champion you will receive free, fun materials and resources to use and share, and join over 1,300 other Champions helping the nation to feel good about numbers. All participants will have access to an online number skills checker called ‘The Challenge’ that will help signpost to resources to improve number skills.

To be a champion you could run an online event, you could circulate resources to learners/parents or you could just simply promote the campaign via social media to your partners and stakeholders.

There is also a schools competition running for pupils aged 4 – 12. Children are being asked to create a picture of their dream job or favourite hobby and explain the different number skills it needs. The winning entry will be awarded a fantastic prize bundle including a £1000+ school maths kit and a school assembly visit from Bobby Seagull, TV celebrity and maths teacher.

To find out more please visit https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday

Early Years Numeracy and Mathematics Toolkit

A Guide to Developing a Numeracy Rich Environment

This toolkit was created in a whole authority collaboration between early years practitioners and teachers as a guide for anyone working at Early Level to evaluate their environment, through observation, reflection and discussion.

In order to provide a high quality learning environment we need to ensure that we are creating ‘interactions, experiences and spaces’ that respond to children’s interests and offer intentional learning through stimulating provocations. (Realising the Ambition. 2020)
This document suggests ways in which high quality numeracy experiences can be developed through learning interactions and resources to support the progression of Numeracy and Mathematics in the Early Years – we hope you find it a useful tool in your self-evaluation and provision.

You will find the document on our website –
Early Learning and Childcare – Key documents and websites (google.com)

Creative Conversation

Creative Catalysts
Graham Donaldson & Hywel Roberts
with
David Cameron

Without You
What can we learn from creative developments in Wales?
A Creative Conversation about learning from elsewhere

ON MICROSOFT TEAMS
On Tuesday 18th May 2021
From 4.15pm followed by the Creative Conversation at 4.30pm
You are also invited to share this invitation with colleagues.

Please join David, Graham, Hywel other guests and colleagues to continue the conversation over refreshments – bring your own refreshments.

Please sign-up by noon on Tuesday 18th May here:
Creative Conversations: Without You.

Register now for our final Creative Conversation of the academic year where we will be celebrating creative practice. Creative Conversations: Celebrate Good Times!

Important Info

Creative Conversation Invitation – Without You

Creative Conversation prog and info – Without You

The City of Edinburgh and the Lothians Branch
Evening Zoom Event from 7pm on Wednesday 12th May 2021

‘Putting Storytelling at the Heart of
Early Years Practice’

Published in 2020 and edited by Tina Bruce, Lynn McNair and Jane Whinnett

Join us for a presentation by four of the chapter authors
Alison Hawkins, Rhian Ferguson, Lynda Bardai and Elaine Fullerton

Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice is a brilliantly engaging and practical book that highlights the essential nature of storytelling in all walks of life and how to best cultivate this in the early years classroom. The authors use a compelling Froebelian approach to explore the role of storytelling not just in the development of literacy but also in the development of communication and language  and for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.

Members: Free | Non-members: £5

• Attendees must book in advance for this event in order to receive a Zoom link
• East Lothian Practitioners should email Mary Preston at mpreston@eastlothian.gov.uk to take advantage of East Lothian Council’s Group Membership Package
• First come first served
• Please provide Mary with your name, job title, place of work and a Zoom enabled email address and she will collate details for submission to Early Education HQ to allow Zoom links to be issued

Please visit the branch section of the national webpage at:
https://www.early-education.org.uk/branch-events
Follow us @EarlyEd_Lothian