Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Key Dates Spring 2026-27
Please find Spring key dates attached. Keep these to hand to ensure all claims are submitted on time.
All funding information, including the key dates, can be found here.
Experienced Based Route Updated
DfE are working with awarding organisations to design an assessment-only route for educators who have demonstrated they have the skills and experience to operate at level 3 to gain a full and relevant qualification. Ultimately, they intend to phase out EBR as educators gain their approved qualification via this new route. This will be a transitionary phase, and in the meantime, there is no expiration date on an individual’s EBR status and therefore encourage eligible staff to consider undertaking EBR and making full use of their valuable skills and experience.
Employment Rights Act 2025
From 1st January 2027, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal protection in the UK reduces from two years to six months under the Employment Rights Act 2025.
This means staff employed from July 2026 will automatically qualify.
Because employees gain protection after 6 months of service, any probation period needs to be actively managed, monitored, and concluded before that 6-month mark.
Next Steps
Check all relevant policies and procedures are up to date and review where necessary.
Further information and when applying an extension can be found on the following link – https://www.acas.org.uk/probation-periods
Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital is part of the Government’s plans to modernise the tax system. It aims to make it easier for businesses and self-employed individuals to keep digital financial records and submit tax information electronically.
From April 2026, self-employed individuals with qualifying income over £50,000 are required to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment.
From April 2027, this requirement will extend to those with qualifying income over £30,000.
From April 2028, this requirement will extend to those with qualifying income over £20,000.
This involves:
- Keeping digital records of income and expenses.
- Using compatible accounting software.
- Submitting quarterly updates to HMRC.
- Submitting an annual final declaration.
As the thresholds change and some businesses will border the thresholds, HMRC encourage individuals to familiarise themselves now with the new requirements and to sign up early to avoid having to resubmit past returns.
Next Steps
- Check whether you will be affected by the new requirements.
- Review your current bookkeeping and record-keeping arrangements.
- Consider using compatible accounting software if not already
Updates from Partners
Reception Places in Schools September 2027 – Admissions Portal Open 1 November 2026
If your child is due to start school in Reception class in Northumberland in September 2027 and you live in the county, you will need to apply for a place at your preferred first or primary schools via the Council’s Admissions Portal between 1 November 2026 and 15 January 2027. Please find letter and video attached for further information. Please share with your parents.
Free to attend Acas webinars in November
Inclusive workplaces: making changes to better support neurodiversity. It’s estimated that around 15% of the UK population is neurodivergent.
This webinar will cover:
- supporting and managing neurodivergent staff reasonable adjustments
- making your recruitment process more accessible
- creating an inclusive environment
Book your place – 12th November, 2pm – 3pm
Mental health at work – Friday 13 November, 10am – 11am
The way in which we address mental health in the workplace will determine whether that impact is positive or negative.
In this webinar we will explore how employers can positively support mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
It will cover:
- An introduction to mental health and relevant legislation
- The Acas framework for positive mental health
- Supporting mental health in practice
- Case study examples
Sickness absence – supporting your staff - Monday 16 November
10am – 11am
Supporting your staff and effectively managing sickness and the return-to-work process, could help to reduce sickness absences in your workplace.
In this webinar we will cover:
- Different types of absences
- Supporting your staff at work to reduce absences
- How to support staff during absence
- Implementing and maintaining a successful return to work
Reasonable adjustments: how to get them right - Friday 20 November
10am – 11am
Join us for our webinar on reasonable adjustments: how to get them right, where we will explore the law and good practice on how to implement reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
This webinar will provide an overview of:
- The legal obligations surrounding reasonable adjustments
- How to overcome challenges with practical solutions
- Different types of reasonable adjustments
- Strategies to foster an inclusive workplace
