"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream"
Events this week:
September 20th- September 29th- Great British Beach Clean 2024
September 23rd- September 29th- Organ Donation Week 2024
September 23rd- September 29th- World Reflexology Week
September 23rd- September 29th- National Eye Health Week 2024
September 24th - September 30th – Professional Care Workers Week 2024
September 26th- European Day of Languages
September 27th- World Tourism Day
September 29th- World Heart Day
Legislation/Regulation of the week
Sexual Offences Act 2003
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 is a UK law that defines and classifies the severity of sexual offenses, and includes measures to protect the public from sexual harm. An Act to make new provision about sexual offences, their prevention and the protection of children from harm from other sexual acts, and for connected purposes.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Please remember to review this in your policy/legislation review workbook)
Videos of the week
Racism in the ranks
In the British Army, complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination come disproportionately from ethnic minority soldiers. Reporter Callum Tulley tries to find out what is going on.
He hears some shocking complaints from ex-soldiers, including those who were born in Commonwealth countries, and meets a British soldier who was thrown out of the army having shared extreme racist material on a group chat.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 60 mins)
Event of the week/month
Professional Care Workers Week 2024
Professional Care Workers’ Week is a UK-wide initiative that highlights the essential work done by care workers in various settings, including residential care homes, domiciliary care, and community care services. The week is organized by care organizations and advocates to show appreciation for the care workforce, promote the profession, and address key issues such as fair pay, working conditions, and the need for greater support and recognition. It’s a time to celebrate the commitment of care workers and to advocate for positive changes that will benefit both care workers and those they support.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Safeguarding & ED & I
Belongings of care children put in bin bags and lost
When Elliott was taken into care at 12 years old, he was told to pack all his belongings into black bin bags.
A pendant given to him by his nan - who he did not know when he would see again - was lost on the way.
He is not the only child in care that this has happened to. BBC Wales has spoken to children in care, and young care-leavers, who say they were made to move their belongings in bin bags and saw them go missing as a result.
Elliott - now 15 – said moving his things in this way caused additional trauma to his experience of coming into the care system.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
The safeguarding podcast: Child Bereavement Support
In this episode, we speak with Emma Kneebone, Deputy CEO & Head of Bereavement Services at 2wish, to discuss how 2wish started and the work they now do to support parents and families who experience, the sudden death of a child or young person.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s2-ep11-child-bereavement-support/id1618939299?i=1000632502292
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 50 mins)
Bullying at school: The Law
Some forms of bullying are illegal and should be reported to the police. These include:
violence or assault
theft
repeated harassment or intimidation, for example name calling, threats and abusive phone calls, emails or text messages
hate crimes
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Children's homes 'reluctant' to accept children with complex needs, Ofsted reports
More than nine in 10 local authorities struggle to find homes for children with complex needs, warns a report by Ofsted, highlighting a reluctance by homes to accept such referrals as a key factor behind the issue.
The inspectorate has called for “greater strategic oversight” of the children’s residential sector in its latest report, How local authorities and children’s homes can achieve stability and permanence for children with complex needs.
The report states that “children’s homes are often reluctant to accept referrals for children with complex needs”.
https://www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news/childrens-homes-reluctant-to-accept-children-with-complex-needs-ofsted-reports
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Three views on EYFS reforms
From this month, changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework come into effect that could have significant implications for how childcare providers operate as the sector gears up for the expansion of the funded entitlements from April.
The changes to the framework – statutory guidance that sets out “the standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five” – were announced last October following a Department for Education consultation.
In response to concerns raised by the sector, the government dropped proposals to reduce the percentage of Level 2-qualified staff within a nursery from the current 50 per cent minimum to 30-40 per cent. However, several controversial measures will go ahead despite the sector raising concerns about them during the consultation (see expert views).
Noteworthy changes include introducing a separate EYFS framework for childminders. The current framework is largely geared towards group-based settings, and it is hoped that specific guidance for childminding will encourage more people to take up the role which could be crucial for creating more places when the funded entitlement is extended to children aged nine months old.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 60 mins)
Almost 40% of all our Helpline referrals involve children aged 5 and under
The government must invest in early years services to better protect babies and young children
Last year, our Helpline referred 11,465 children aged 5 and under to local agencies like the police and social services because of abuse and neglect.
This is the equivalent to more than 30 babies and young children each day.
The government needs to invest in early years support to better protect babies and young children.
Our records show that last year, 40% of all referrals to local services like the police and children’s social care from our Helpline were for children aged 5 and under.
The most common concern about these children was neglect. Last year, over 5,000 children aged 5 and under were referred because their basic needs were not being met, leading to fears for their safety. As part of these neglect concerns, the most common worries were about adult alcohol and drug misuse, and young children being left alone or unsupervised.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 40 mins)
Health & Safety
Recreational drugs, alcohol and addiction
List of organisations who offer support for recreational drug and alcohol addiction, including organisations who can help if you are supporting someone else.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
7 ways to help protect your brain from dementia
According to Dementia UK, more than one million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025 - 1 in 11 people aged 65 and older are currently living with dementia. As we live longer, our chance of developing this condition increases. However, lifestyle adjustments and healthy living may help minimise its impact. Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that weaken certain brain functions connected to memory, speech, thinking, movement, and communication.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Neck Pain: Postural Exercise
Neck pain is very common but in most cases is not caused by a serious problem. Pain is more likely to be muscular and the exercises outlined here are recommended to ease symptoms.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 10 mins)
Managing home workers' health and safety
As an employer, you have the same health and safety responsibilities for people working at home as for any other worker
This guidance applies to those who:
work at home long term
routinely split their time between their workplace and home (sometimes called hybrid working)
Most of the time, risks to home workers will be low and the actions you should take to protect them will be straightforward.
You should talk to your workers about their arrangements, as working from home may not be suitable for everyone. For example, some people may not have an appropriate place to work or may prefer to come into the workplace for wellbeing, mental health or other reasons.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Wider Curriculum
Domestic abuse experts to be embedded in 999 control rooms
Domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in 999 control rooms in England and Wales as part of the government's pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
The measure is part of "Raneem's Law" in memory of Raneem Oudeh, 22, and her mother Khaola Saleem who were murdered by Ms Oudeh's estranged husband in 2018.
The government also announced a new domestic abuse protection order pilot that will order more abusers to stay away from victims and impose tougher sanctions if they fail to do so.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
What makes us more committed at work? 10 influencing factors
When it comes to competitive and efficient teams, having committed workers is essential, as this factor can tip the balance either towards success or into a complete and utter failure.
Why is this? Because a committed team will not only be glad to do their job well, but also, they will push and work hard to grow and evolve your business. Your goals are their goals.
That is the magic of commitment.
However, a study conducted by Gallup shows that only 30% of employees surveyed feel committed to their work and their organization. This is a fairly low number if we consider all the benefits of going to work happy, both personally and professionally. It is important to understand what exactly commitment at the workplace is and what are the factors that make us more committed at work.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
5 cross-functional skills almost every industry looks for in an employee
Want to give your career a boost? Having these skills can help you make a move in the right direction.
It’s a common misconception that leaders are born, not bred. But skills such as emotional intelligence, managing people and working as a team can be taught.
In the past, cross-functional skills were sometimes referred to as soft skills, and weren’t assessed in the same way as technical skills. But many organisations today see the real value of cross-functional skills, and how they can help someone thrive and lead in the modern hybrid workplace. There are five that stand out, according to career experts
https://www.theguardian.com/swinburne-edge-learn-and-grow/2023/jun/05/5-cross-functional-skills-almost-every-industry-looks-for-in-an-employee
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
9 Benefits of Continuous Professional Development
Continuous professional development is a process taken by professionals looking to continue their learning and development. We walk through the benefits of continuous professional development and how it can support career growth.
Starting a career once you’ve met the academic (or clinical standards) doesn’t mean that further learning must end.
Continuous professional development is an important step for professionals looking to further their career, progress their skills and continue to be challenged in their role.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Sustainability
What is Fairtrade International
Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. Fairtrade's approach enables farmers and workers to have more control over their lives and decide how to invest in their future.
As a leader in the global movement to make trade fair, Fairtrade supports and challenges businesses and governments while connecting farmers and workers with the people who buy their products.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 40 mins)
Activist nuns and solar panel subsidies: Positive environmental stories from 2024
Climate anxiety is very real, but these good news stories from 2024 prove there is hope for our planet.
Eco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread - as green journalists, we see these terms used a lot - and often feel them ourselves.
While there's a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, we must not lose hope - because hopelessness breeds apathy.
The media has an important role to play in combatting climate doom. It's our job to be truthful and accurate in our reporting, not trying to downplay or greenwash the situation. But it's also our job to show that there is hope.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 40 mins)
Global Plastic Pollution Statistics and Facts
Plastic pollution has become one of our most pressing environmental issues. From overflowing landfills to vast ocean garbage patches, the impact of plastic waste is far-reaching and devastating.
This article explores key statistics and facts about global plastic pollution, its sources, and its effects on our planet.
While plastic pollution comes from many sources, some are major contributors.
Packaging is the largest end-use market segment, accounting for just over 40% of total plastic usage.
Roughly 50% of plastic is used for single-use purposes – utilised for just a few moments but on the planet for at least several hundred years.
More than 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute around the world.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
An Idiot’s guide to change the world- Shaping a better world through sport
As we blow the halftime whistle we look to the sports world for some bright ideas in succeeding in the second half. Sport is an enormous industry with huge power, so how can we harness that to keep us moving towards our 2030 goal? In this episode Gail Gaillie and Loyiso Madinga meet Olympic sailor Hannah Mills, who has become an advocate for sustainability and clean oceans. She tells us how technological innovation in sport is being applied to other industries to create greener solutions. They also speak to the daughter of footballing legend Pelé, Kely Nascimento, a filmmaker and activist who works at the intersection of sport and social justice. Kely discusses how sport is a lens through which you can view any issues in society, and the investment still needed to develop women’s sport.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 60 mins)
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