ARC - Chair Update - May 2026

ARC Chairs Comments May 26

I am continually impressed by the sheer dedication so many professionals have across the ‘system’ supporting our children and young people, with strong advocacy for our most disadvantaged or vulnerable. There will be a comprehensive response to SEND reforms from many quarters. I am pleased to share ARC’s response here, as well as being involved with the work convened by Nurture UK here.

I have previously raised awareness in this newsletter around the important part that the Arts can play in a sense of belonging for all children and young people. The Midlands Virtual School partnership collaborating with Arts Connect, The Mighty Creatives and Care To Dance have launched a guidance document for professionals working with children and young people, particularly those from a disadvantaged background, on the benefits and importance of engagement to the Arts can enhance self-worth, a sense of belonging and help develop a range of life skills for both now and their future. The Include Me – I Want To Belong document can be found here. This work also aligns with the NEU campaign Arts and Minds, in which ARC too has been directly engaged in.

Can I also please draw everybody’s attention to a key week in May? The UNESCO International Culture and Arts Education Week. We are one of the few countries in the world who have had no official response to the UNESCO framework for Culture and arts Education. We didn’t sent a representative from DCMS to the launch in 2024 either. You are welcome to sign up for the webinars and find out more about the World Alliance for Arts Education, art, Dance, Drama, Music, and here’s the link to the week- https://www.waae.online/internationalcultureandartseducationweek2026.html

The connectivity of the ARC community continues to ensure that professionals across education, social care, health and criminal justice continue to share and collaborate. A range of FREE resources from Lisa Cherry are available Resources | Dr Lisa Cherry

Also since releasing Squirrel's Search for Love a few weeks ago, sales have been brisk! BUT, Lisa she would like *all* children who need a copy, to have a copy. It is a book about grief and loss and how love stays with us even when the person has gone and is exquisitely illustrated by play therapist Fiona Holiday

To celebrate selling 100 copies, Lisa would like to donate 10 copies to families who don't have the means to buy a copy. If you work with a family who would benefit from this book, please message me an address.... and a signed copy will be on the way. Every time I sell 100 copies, Lisa will donate 10 copies where they are needed. 

You can find out more about the book here: https://amzn.to/484VAkh

I would also like to share with you details of the Civil Service Care Leaver’s Internship Scheme which is open for applications until May 25, in case there are young people in your networks who may benefit. Care Leaver Internship Scheme 2026 - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

A new partner to ARC is Shaun Miskelly at Mood River. Shaun is keen to work with schools in the South West region. The heart of the work is very simple: children should not need to become a problem before adults begin to see them.

Mood River is creating a practical, non-clinical and safeguarding-aware pathway that helps schools notice emotional life earlier, more gently and more consistently, without turning teachers into therapists or children into projects. If a school is interested in piloting this please contact me at: andrew@the-arc.org.uk

The key intention remains simple: to help adults notice children’s emotional experience earlier, more gently, and without requiring children to become a problem before they are seen. More information can be seen at https://moodriver.co.uk

I was delighted to meet a number of school leaders with the launch of the Luton VS Relational Approaches across three virtual events this month. Also it was a privilege to present at the Education Conference – Safe, Seen, Supported: Building Resilient, Trauma Informed Environments at the University College of Birmingham to new and aspiring professionals to the education world.

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