Latest News from Workforce Development

Darlington Autism Strategy 2026-2029 Consultation

Your chance to have your say on the content of the strategy - deadline: 17 August 2026. To view click on the following link: Darlington BC - Autism Strategy 2026-2029 Consultation 

Belong Darlington 2026

On behalf of FC Darlington Locomotives, you are invited to Belong Darlington 2026, part of the Belong Collective, delivered in partnership with UK Youth and Youth Focus North East.

Youth loneliness is a growing challenge, affecting young people’s wellbeing, confidence, education, employment and sense of belonging. No single organisation can tackle it alone, which is why we’re bringing together local businesses, young people, schools, colleges, charities, community organisations, health partners and local decision-makers to explore practical ways we can work together to create a more connected and inclusive Darlington. Whether your organisation already works with young people or is looking to make a greater impact in the community, this is an opportunity to build new partnerships, share ideas and help shape a collaborative approach that creates lasting change.

Event Details:

📅 Saturday 19th September 2026
🕛 12:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Hopetown Darlington (DL3 6SW)
🍽️ Lunch and refreshments provided

During the event you’ll have the opportunity to:

• hear directly from young people about their experiences of loneliness and belonging
• connect with organisations and professionals from across Darlington
• explore opportunities for partnership, volunteering, mentoring and employability
• help shape the Belong Darlington Pledge and future collaborative action
• discover practical ways your organisation can help ensure every young person feels connected, valued and supported.

Attendance is free, but places are limited. Please register using the following link: Booking Form [external website] If you have problems opening the attachment, please click on the following link: Email 

We hope you’ll be able to join us and play a part in building a more connected, inclusive and supportive future for young people across Darlington. Together, we can ensure that every young person has the opportunity to feel they belong.

Team Teach Level 1

• Friday 21 August 2026 from 9.30-4.30pm at Tandem

Click on the following link for more information: Team Teach

Parental Rights Awareness

• Friday 11 September 2026 from 9.30-12.00pm at Tandem

Click on the following link for more information: Parental Rights

Moving Forward: Understanding Domestic Abuse

• Wednesday 16 September 2026 & Wednesday 30 September 2026 from 9.30-4.30pm at Tandem

Click on the following link for more information: Moving Forward

The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Children & Young People in a Variety of Settings: ‘Right Here’

• Thursday 17 September 2026 from 10.00-12.30pm at Tandem

Click on the following link for more information: Right Here

Teenage & Young Adult Relationship Abuse in Diverse Relationships: ‘Like Glue’

• Thursday 17 September 2026 from 1.30-4.00pm at Tandem

Click on the following link for more information: Like Glue

Neglect - NSPCC Graded Care Profile

• Tuesday 22 September 2026 from 9.30-4.00pm at Tandem

Click on the following link for more information: Neglect

Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse

 
Recently, the Government has renewed its efforts on reducing child sexual abuse. Shaping the Government response are the report findings and recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s report, “I wanted them all to notice.”, and most recently the Casey review on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.  
 
We are aware that organisations and services are currently working to address these recommendations, and so we wanted to get in touch to tell you about the free resources and events that we offer at the CSA Centre.  The reports above highlight the need for all professionals working with children to be better informed about: 

• the prevalence of child sexual abuse
• the signs and indicators of child sexual abuse
• the effects of child sexual abuse
• how we can respond when we have concerns about child sexual abuse.

This is because conservative estimates suggest that at least one in ten children or young people will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16. All professionals working with children should have the skills, knowledge and confidence to talk to children when there are concerns about child sexual abuse.  

Free Resources

This suite of resources aims to directly inform practice and provide guidance on what steps can be taken to support children and families. These practice resources will help to improve your knowledge, skills and confidence in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse. These practice resources can be found here: CSA Centre Practice Resources [external website]
 
Free Webinars

Throughout the year, we run a series of free webinars to introduce practitioners to our resources. These hour-long sessions guide professionals on how to navigate our resources and consider how it can support and inform their practice. The webinar dates can be found here: Events [external website]
 
Free E-Learning Course 

Identifying and responding to intra-familial child sexual abuse. This is a free 90-minute, accessible and certified eLearning course for all professionals working with children.  This can be easily added as part of your organisation’s safeguarding induction and refresher training. This free e-learning course can be found here: CSA Centre’s E-Learning Course [external website]
 
Further Training Opportunities 

Our additional training sessions for professionals in a range of aspects relating to understanding and responding to child sexual abuse. These training courses can be found here: CSA Centre's Training Programme [external website]
 
The CSA Centre is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to improve the response to child sexual abuse. 

Rape Crisis Centre

Did you know that as your local Rape Crisis Centre in Darlington & Co. Durham, RSACC delivers a range of specialist training workshops that are suitable for all types of workplace? 

With a range of CPD-certified, half day and 2 hour workshops on a variety of topics (including Sexual Violence Awareness, Sexual Harassment Prevention and Responding to Disclosure), our trainer can inform and allow you and your teams to understand more about sexual violence and its impacts, as well as how to access or signpost to appropriate support locally. 

Find out more about our workshops: RSACC Training - RSACC [external website]

Suicide Bereavement Training

PAPYRUS-UK & Suicide Bereavement UK have been contracted by the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board, to provide fully funded Suicide Prevention trainings to Primary Care, Emergency responders and NHS staff in the North East and North Cumbria & Social Care Staff. Please click on the following links for more information:

Papyrus-UK [external website]

Suicide Bereavement UK [external website]