“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence”
Events this week:
April 22nd – International Mother Earth Day 2024
April 22nd- April 28th- Allergy Awareness Week 2024
April 23rd- St George’s Day 2024
April 23rd- World Book Night 2024
April 26th- Stop Food Waste Day 2024
April 28th- World Day for Health and Safety at Work 2024
Legislation/Regulation of the week
Martyn’s Law
The Terrorism Protection of Premises Bill, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ is expected to become law in 2024. The bill is the legislative response to the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry. It is designed to reduce the risk to the public from terrorism by the protection of public venues – increasing national security and personal safety. The bill will place a requirement on those responsible for certain locations to consider the threat from terrorism. It will also require them to put measures in place to mitigate the threat, including implementing security systems, staff training, and clearer processes.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 20 mins)
Please remember to review this in your policy/legislation review workbook)
Videos of the week
Tell them you love me
Tell Them You Love Me explores the extraordinary story of Anna Stubblefield, an esteemed university professor who becomes embroiled in a controversial affair with Derrick Johnson, a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy. The relationship, and the criminal trial that followed, would challenge our perceptions of disability and the nature of consent.
Anna Stubblefield was a respected academic and a disability rights advocate; passionate in her belief that the most essential part of the human experience is the ability to communicate.
Derrick Johnson was a 30-year-old man with cerebral palsy and had never spoken a word in his life. As a child it was also determined that he had severely limited intellectual capacity.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 90 mins)
Event of the week/month
St George’s Day 2024
St George's Day takes place on the 23rd April each year to marks the death of the Patron Saint of England, who is thought to have died in around AD 303 when he was tortured and executed in Palestine, becoming an early Christian martyr.
Legend has it that St George slew an evil dragon that was plaguing a local town and saved a princess. It is traditionally a Christian celebration as the story goes that St George offered to kill the dragon only if the town converted to Christianity. St George’s Day became a national holiday in England in the early 15th century, remaining until the tradition dwindled after the union with Scotland in the late 18th century.
(This can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Safeguarding & ED & I
Police Protection – A practical guide
Each year across the UK, hundreds of children are removed from harmful situations by the police and placed into ‘Police Protection’. In this article we take a practical look at this specific piece of legislation, which if used responsibly, can be a very valuable tool in safeguarding vulnerable children.
Police Protection is an emergency power under Section 46 Children Act 1989 which allows any police officer to protect a child who is reasonably believed to be at risk of significant harm.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
Effective Record Writing
Maintaining effective records is crucial for safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals. This practice is emphasised for several reasons, including:
Early Identification: It helps in identifying concerns at an early stage, enabling timely intervention and the provision of Early Help.
Storytelling: Records contribute to building a comprehensive narrative of a child's experiences and life, allowing for a better understanding of their situation. At ECP we highlight an easy way to capture this through TED - Tell me what happened, Explain what you mean by that, Describe that person…
Pattern Recognition: They assist in recognizing recurring concerns or patterns of issues.
Documentation of Actions: Records serve as evidence of actions taken and the outcomes of those actions.
Escalation and Challenge: They support the need for escalation and professional challenges when a child's situation does not improve.
Decision Making: Records provide a rationale for decision-making regarding actions taken in safeguarding.
Legal Evidence: They can be used as evidence in court proceedings when necessary.
Inspection and Audits: Effective record-keeping helps demonstrate a commitment to a safeguarding culture, which is important for inspection and audits.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
What is OFSTED looking for when considering safeguarding?
How is this accomplished within your setting? What criteria is Ofsted evaluating?
Ensuring the protection of children from significant harm, whether it be online or offline, remains a top priority. This involves maintaining a constant vigilance and adopting a mindset of readiness for potential incidents. Transparency and openness are crucial, alongside the active sharing of information and seeking expert guidance when necessary. All decisions related to safeguarding must be readily accessible for appropriate examination.
Adaptability is key, recognising that circumstances may change, and safeguarding issues can arise at any time within any aspect of the provision. It's imperative to ensure that all staff working with children receive adequate training, understanding their duties, the setting’s protocols, and feeling empowered to raise concerns when needed. Actively asking and attentively considering the perspectives of children, staff, and parents is essential, swiftly addressing any concerns that emerge.
Establishing robust child protection measures is paramount. This includes early identification of children who may require support or are at risk of harm, ensuring they receive necessary assistance in a timely manner, and making referrals to appropriate experts if needed. Additionally, managing safer recruitment practices and handling allegations involving adults who may pose a risk to children are critical components.
Regular self-reflection is also vital to ensure that safeguarding policies, systems, and procedures remain effective and responsive to evolving needs, subject to continuous evaluation and improvement.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Child maintenance as a tool for abuse
Child maintenance, also known as child support, is a crucial financial contribution from one parent to another for the care and upbringing of their child post-separation or divorce.
Unfortunately, in some cases, this obligation is exploited as a means of exerting power and control over the other parent. By withholding or manipulating child maintenance payments, the abusive parent can undermine the custodial parent's ability to provide for the child's basic needs, such as food, clothing, and education.
This tactic not only perpetuates financial instability but also inflicts emotional distress on the child and the custodial parent. Moreover, it can be part of a broader pattern of coercive control and manipulation within the relationship.
Recognising this form of abuse is crucial in safeguarding the well-being of children and custodial parents.
Legal interventions, such as robust enforcement mechanisms and expedited court proceedings, are essential in holding accountable those who misuse child maintenance for abusive purposes. By addressing child maintenance abuse effectively, society can better protect vulnerable families and promote healthier post-separation dynamics.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
"Online Challenges: Safety Tips for Professionals" : Resource
Download a new shareable, "Online as it addresses the pressing issue of children's safety while participating in online challenges. With the alarming increase in reports of children being injured or even dying due to harmful online challenges, it has become imperative for professionals to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and strategies to protect young individuals.
This resource provides essential safety tips and guidelines tailored specifically for professionals working with children and young people, empowering them to effectively navigate and mitigate the risks associated with online challenges. By downloading this resource, professionals can play a pivotal role in safeguarding children's well-being in the digital age
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
Navigating Incidents of Nude and Semi-Nude Sharing: Essential Guidance from UKCIS
In the latest advice for education settings (UKCIS, 2024), this is defined as the sending or posting of nude or semi-nude images, videos or live streams online by young people under the age of 18. Nudes and semi-nudes can be shared online via social media, gaming platforms, chat apps, forums, or involve sharing between devices using offline services. The motivations for taking and sharing nude and semi-nudes are not always sexually or criminally motivated.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
Health & Safety
Blue light filters- do they really work
Most of us spend several hours looking at digital screens every day, all of which emit varying levels of blue light. There's debate about the damage and effects blue light has on our vision and health, and if blue light filters help. We investigate if they really work.
Around one-third of all the light we see is blue light, with sunlight being the main source. Blue light is also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light. Unlike other types of light, our eyes cannot filter it on their own. This means blue light can reach the retina without restriction.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 40 mins)
7 morning stretches to get you ready for the day
Most of us love the feeling of stretching first thing in the morning but, chances are, we don't put much thought into what stretches we do. But did you know that there are specific stretches that will start your day off on the right note?
Stretching is a way of preparing muscles and joints for more dynamic movement and increasing flexibility, hence why it's recommended before exercising.
But you don't need to be starting your day with a workout to reap the benefits of a good stretch. Regardless of what you're going to be doing during the day, a solid morning stretch routine can prepare your body for general movement, whether that's rushing around the office or playing with your children.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 20 mins)
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an intense fear of being in places or situations where you feel escape might be difficult or help might not be available. So you tend to avoid these situations and may not even venture out from home. It can greatly affect your life.
Treatment can work well in many cases. Treatment options include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and medication, usually with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Boys are suffering in silence, says mental health charity TIC+
A charity that has helped almost 4,000 people with their mental health say some boys in the area are "suffering in silence". TIC+ offers support and counselling, but said only 30% of those accessing its services were male. The help available could make "life and death" differences in some cases, the Mitcheldean-based charity says.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Wider Curriculum
Overcoming the barriers to contact between siblings separated by the care system
Despite the importance of sibling relationships, many children in care report not seeing their brothers and sisters enough. A service designed to address this is showing positive results, says Kirsty Hammonds from Coram.
The logistics of co-ordinating visits between siblings who may live in different locations with potentially conflicting schedules is complicated. The social care sector is facing resource constraints around staffing, funding and transport, which can affect its ability to prioritise and facilitate sibling contact.
Parents and carers can feel overwhelmed at the task of facilitating sibling relationships without the support of professionals. Complex family dynamics may require careful planning, assessment and supervision.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 60 mins)
DfE says 85,000 more free childcare places needed in England
About 85,000 extra childminder and nursery places are needed in England for the expansion of government-funded hours for babies and toddlers, the Department for Education (DfE) says.
It also says 40,000 more staff will need to be recruited by September 2025.
Early years charities say the challenge facing the sector "is an immense one".
The government says it is providing "maximum support to nurseries and all providers" to make the plans "a reality".
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 20 mins)
End Point Assessments – what are they and how do they work?
At the end of every apprenticeship, there are end point assessments. Also known as EPA’s, this is where an apprentice can show everything they have learned during their apprenticeships to the assessor.
EPA’s can also give the apprentice a chance to see how they have progressed, what they have learnt and where the apprenticeship can take them. EPA’s do differ depending on the qualification completed, but all lead to the same destination, gaining an apprenticeship!
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Sunday scaries: How to beat Sunday night anxiety
If you've ever had that sinking feeling in your stomach as the weekend draws to a close, you aren't alone. Many of us struggle with feelings of anxiety, low mood and a general sense of dread - dubbed by many as the 'Sunday scaries'.
Around 2 in 3 people in the UK struggle with anxiety or the blues on a Sunday as they start to worry about the week ahead.1 But why do we get these feelings - and what can we do to ease them?
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 mins)
Sustainability
Sustainability in everyday life: Video
In our day-to-day we face small actions that have an impact on the environment and in our pocket. At home, at work, in the street, shopping, cooking, in our leisure time ... Almost all the activities that we develop in a normal day are likely to be made in a least harmful way to the environment and less costly to the domestic economy.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 90 mins)
Climate change education needs review, say experts
Climate change knowledge and the skills to help students tackle it should be embedded in the school curriculum, according to education experts. The education body Cambridge University Press & Assessment said teaching about the changing climate was undervalued and under-represented in the curriculum. It wants the next UK government to appoint an independent expert to carry out a review to help confront "this multi-generational challenge"
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 20 mins)
Plastic crisis 'out of control' as 1.7 billion pieces thrown away weekly in UK
The most commonly counted plastic items thrown away were packaging for snacks, fruit and vegetables. Britons are throwing away an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic a week - with campaigners describing it as a crisis "out of control".
The typical household disposes of 60 items of plastic packaging every seven days - equating to a national total of 90 billion a year.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 30 min)
An Idiot’s guide to change the world-Why women are reclaiming the narrative: Podcast (Episode 3)
Ending all discrimination and violence against women and girls is not only a human rights issue, it’s crucial to achieving a more peaceful and sustainable world. In March we highlight and celebrate women’s stories on ‘International Women’s Day’ and during ‘Women’s History Month’, because it’s through stories that we understand their perspectives and experiences, and reshape the world.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 60 min)
