Children and young people news
Funding for extra bedrooms latest initiative to help provide more local foster placements
A shortage of local foster care placements has forced Swindon Borough Council to look at new ways of finding loving homes for the children in its care.
Published: Wednesday, 13th December 2023-
Young carers to enjoy all the fun of the fair thanks to The Mayor
A special half-term treat has been organised for young carers in Swindon, thanks to Swindon Mayor, Councillor Barbara Parry.
Published: Monday, 23rd October 2023 -
Thousands of children to benefit from free activities during the summer in Swindon
Nearly 10,000 children across Swindon are invited to take part in free activities and access healthy meals for five weeks over the summer.
Published: Tuesday, 25th July 2023 -
Increased fees and enhanced training offer proposed for Swindon’s foster carers
Proposals being taken to Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet next week (12 July) could see foster carers in Swindon receive as much as £10,000 extra per year.
Published: Wednesday, 5th July 2023 -
Council leader and PCC unite to reassure communities in wake of knife crime issues
Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Swindon’s council leader have taken steps to reassure the public after a serious knife crime incident in the town left a 17-year-old child in hospital.
Published: Thursday, 15th June 2023 -
Majority of Swindon pupils offered place at their preferred primary school
More than 95 per cent of pupils in Swindon have secured a place in their first preference school for children that are starting in Reception in 2023.
Published: Monday, 17th April 2023 -
Outstanding result for Swindon’s Youth Justice Service
Swindon Borough Council has received high praise following the latest inspection of its Youth Justice Service (YJS).
Published: Thursday, 26th January 2023 -
Young people encouraged to join Summer Reading Challenge
There are plenty of incentives for young people to join in with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Published: Friday, 5th August 2022 -
Kids can visit Lydiard House Museum for just £1 this summer
Swindon’s Lydiard House has a host of activities for the family to enjoy this summer, from historic games to new exhibitions.
Published: Friday, 22nd July 2022 -
Upgraded LED street lights across Swindon results in at least 60 per cent reduction in energy usage
Swindon Borough Council has made a significant dent to its carbon footprint and electricity bills after converting 26,000 street lights to LEDs.
Published: Friday, 15th July 2022 -
Swindon represented at memorial service for The Duke of Edinburgh
Swindon was represented at today’s memorial service for the life of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey.
Published: Tuesday, 29th March 2022 -
Swindon’s GCSE pupils celebrate results after two tough COVID-hit years
More than 2,000 pupils in schools across Swindon received their results today.
Published: Friday, 13th August 2021 -
Swindon students celebrate A-Level results
Swindon’s A-Level students are celebrating another year of great results across the town.
Published: Tuesday, 10th August 2021 -
Council to provide free activities and meals to eligible children in Swindon over the summer holidays
Thousands of children and teenagers across Swindon will be offered access to fun activities and nutritional meals during the summer holidays, as part of a scheme facilitated by Swindon Borough Council
Published: Tuesday, 29th June 2021 -
Council get behind national fostering campaign to find new foster carers in Swindon
Swindon Borough Council is supporting Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign from the Fostering Network, in the hope of inspiring more people in the town to become foster carers.
Published: Monday, 10th May 2021 -
Campaign aims to show residents the life-changing impact their council tax has on those most in need in Swindon
With council tax bills being delivered to households in Swindon this week, the message from the Council is that it is here for Swindon and its residents, throughout and after the pandemic.
Published: Wednesday, 10th March 2021 -
Council to distribute supermarket vouchers this February half term
Thousands of people across Swindon will be offered supermarket vouchers ahead of the February half-term school holidays, as part of a scheme facilitated by Swindon Borough Council.
Published: Thursday, 4th February 2021 -
Council’s Children’s Services praised by Ofsted for support to vulnerable children during pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has not stopped Swindon Borough Council’s Children’s Services team from providing a good and effective service to vulnerable children and young people.
Published: Monday, 1st February 2021 -
Christmas cheer spread to local children thanks to kind-hearted gestures
Christmas has come early for some local children and families thanks to kind-hearted gestures from residents and businesses in the town.
Published: Monday, 21st December 2020 -
Regional campaign launched to find more foster carers
Local authorities across the South West are joining together this Christmas to call for more people to consider becoming foster carers.
Published: Monday, 30th November 2020 -
Council team’s award win secures £500 donation for local food bank
Award-winning staff at Swindon Borough Council, recognised for their work in using technology to improve the processing of free school meal applications, have earned £500 for Swindon Food Collective.
Published: Tuesday, 24th November 2020 -
Short Breaks service restarts as new provider takes over
Swindon Borough Council’s Short Breaks service has officially restarted following the recent appointment of new providers.
Published: Friday, 30th October 2020 -
Struggling families encouraged to access hardship support
Families in Swindon who may be experiencing financial hardship over the half-term period are being urged to contact Swindon Borough Council for help.
Published: Monday, 26th October 2020 -
Council encourages residents of all backgrounds to consider adoption
To coincide with National Adoption Week, Swindon Borough Council is supporting the national #YouCanAdopt campaign aimed at dispelling myths around adoption and encouraging more residents to adopt.
Published: Wednesday, 14th October 2020 -
Short Breaks service to continue as new provider is named
A new provider has been found to run a short breaks service that helps children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Published: Wednesday, 15th July 2020 -
Council encourages families to access vital funding for two year olds
Parents and carers whose children have reached their second birthday are being reminded to apply for free childcare by Swindon Borough Council.
Published: Wednesday, 8th July 2020 -
Council provides free childcare to almost 500 children over Easter holidays
Critical workers leading the fight against coronavirus were able to take advantage of free childcare provided by Swindon Borough Council over the Easter holidays.
Published: Friday, 24th April 2020 -
Council gives more than £50,000 to ensure children’s charity can stay open
A charity that helps children and young people with disabilities or complex needs will stay open after Swindon Borough Council stepped in with a donation of £55,000.
Published: Thursday, 12th March 2020 -
Children in Care Awards recognise outstanding young people in Swindon
Two special events were held to celebrate the achievements of children and young people in the care of Swindon Borough Council.
Published: Saturday, 29th February 2020 -
Council ensures families get access to vital funding for two year olds
Ninety-eight per cent of two year olds in Swindon who are entitled to early education have received it thanks to the Council’s Early Years team.
Published: Tuesday, 11th February 2020 -
Month-long campaign to promote mental wellbeing among young people
A partnership project in Swindon to promote mental wellbeing for children and young people has been launched.
Published: Wednesday, 9th October 2019 -
Fun-packed day organised for Swindon’s Children in Care
Children in the care of Swindon Borough Council recently came together for a special celebration event at Lydiard Park.
Published: Friday, 20th September 2019 -
Parents encouraged to feed back on childcare needs before the end of the month
Families in Swindon have just a couple of weeks left to complete a survey to help the Council understand their childcare needs.
Published: Thursday, 22nd August 2019 -
Swindon’s Children’s Services rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted
Ofsted has praised “the swift and decisive action to improve services for children and young people in Swindon” after a recent inspection.
Published: Monday, 12th August 2019 -
Young Wardens scheme back for summer holidays
Around 80 children will be putting their summer holidays to good use when they take part in a free education programme from next week.
Published: Thursday, 25th July 2019 -
Top-class teaching to be celebrated at awards event
Outstanding teachers will end the school year on a high thanks to an awards event which recognises teaching excellence.
Published: Tuesday, 16th July 2019 -
Careers Hub to provide top quality advice to young people in Swindon and Wiltshire
Pupils at a further five school settings across Swindon plus an additional seven from Wiltshire will, from next month, be able to access top quality careers advice to help prepare them for the world of work.
Published: Tuesday, 4th June 2019 -
Hundreds of young people recognised at annual Children in Care awards
Children and young people who have been under the care of Swindon Borough Council came together to mark their achievements at two special events.
Published: Friday, 10th May 2019 -
New scheme helps teenagers find the back of the net
A group of teenagers have kicked off a new initiative that will help them reach their superstar potential.
Published: Tuesday, 30th April 2019 -
Multi-agency conference on protecting the vulnerable hailed a success
A conference looking at how to protect vulnerable children and adults against drug gangs and human trafficking has been hailed a success.
Published: Thursday, 4th April 2019 -
Big success for Swindon SEND services event
More than one hundred visitors flocked to Swindon’s STEAM Museum this week for an event highlighting the services available to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Published: Friday, 15th March 2019 -
SEND services in the spotlight at special event for parents and carers
An event which highlights the services available to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is being held at STEAM next Tuesday (12 March).
Published: Friday, 8th March 2019 -
Ofsted highlights progress in Council’s care leavers’ service
Services for care leavers in Swindon are improving, according to Ofsted.
Published: Friday, 1st March 2019 -
Council and CCG to draw up action plan following Local Area SEND inspection
An improvement programme to ensure Swindon successfully implements disability and special educational needs reforms will be accelerated following a recent inspection.
Published: Tuesday, 15th January 2019 -
Wyvern Theatre lends its support to council’s fostering campaign
The Wyvern Theatre has teamed up with Swindon Borough Council to encourage more people in the town to consider becoming a foster carer.
Published: Thursday, 10th January 2019 -
Council to help children affected by alcohol following successful funding bid
A new programme, which aims to help families whose lives have been affected by alcohol, will be rolled out in Swindon thanks to funding from the Government.
Published: Tuesday, 4th December 2018 -
Parents and young people asked to contribute to an inspection of the Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) services
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission will be carrying out an inspection of Swindon's services for children and young people aged 0-25 years who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Published: Thursday, 15th November 2018 -
White Horse Federation gets behind fostering recruitment drive
Swindon Borough Council’s campaign to recruit more foster carers has received the backing of The White Horse Federation.
Published: Tuesday, 2nd October 2018 -
All aboard at STEAM as kids get in for £1
The school holidays are almost here and that can mean only one thing – that children can visit the STEAM Museum for just £1.
Published: Tuesday, 24th July 2018 -
Heart-warming letters shared between generations as part of pen pals project
Friendships have been forged between local primary school children and older, isolated individuals thanks to a letter writing project.
Published: Friday, 20th July 2018 -
Swindon Young Musicians to bring Wyvern to life with Gala concert
The sounds of Swindon’s Young Musicians will reverberate around the Wyvern Theatre later this month when they hold their annual Gala concert.
Published: Friday, 6th July 2018 -
Programme of improvement well underway for Swindon’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
Swindon Borough Council’s plan to improve its Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) has been reinforced following a two-day focused visit by Ofsted.
Published: Monday, 21st May 2018 -
Most Swindon pupils offered place at preferred primary school
More than 90 per cent of pupils in Swindon continue to be matched with their number one choice of primary school.
Published: Monday, 16th April 2018 -
Caravan to provide short breaks for Swindon foster families
Council buys caravan for foster carers and their children to enjoy weekends and short breaks at Cotswold Water Park.
Published: Sunday, 18th February 2018 -
Parents urged to meet primary and infant school places deadline
Online applications encouraged as admissions period enters final three weeks.
Published: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
