"The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same"
Events this week:
October 21st- October 27th- National Recycle Week 2024
October 21st- October 27th- National Adoption Week 2024
October 22nd- International Stammering Awareness Day 2024
October 27t- International Mentoring Day 2024
Legislation/Regulation of the week
Worker Protection Act 2024
The update follows a change to the law made by the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act, which will have effect from 26 October 2024. The Act introduces a new legal duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers (the ‘preventative duty’). Previously there was no proactive legal obligation on employers to take steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.
The Act also includes the ability for compensation in sexual harassment claims to be increased. If an employment tribunal finds a worker has been sexually harassed, it must consider whether the preventative duty has been met. If not, the employer can be ordered to pay an additional 25% (maximum) compensation.
(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
Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family & Autism
Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have three children: eight-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and five-year-old Felicity. All three have been diagnosed with autism. This raw and intimate documentary follows Paddy and Christine at home and as they meet other parents, experts and people on the autism spectrum, including footballer Paul Scholes, who has a 16-year-old non-verbal autistic son
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
National Recycling Week 2024
Recycle Week is Recycle Now's flagship annual event which is a celebration of recycling across the nation.
It’s the one week of the year where retailers, brands, waste management companies, trade associations, governments and the media come together to achieve one goal: to galvanise the public into recycling more of the right things, more often.
This year’s Recycle Week theme is ‘Rescue Me’. The campaign will run from 14th-20th October 2024, focusing on rescuing recyclable items from the rubbish bin.
(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
Safety Advice for parents and carers - Useful resources
The Child Accident Prevention Trust has released a series of child safety factsheets, now translated into Arabic, Bengali, Panjabi, Polish, Romanian, Somali, and Urdu.
These factsheets cover essential topics such as:
· Choking Safety
· Preventing Falls
· Poison Prevention
· Burn Safety
· Road Safety
(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)
Online Safety Act 2023- Explainer
The Online Safety Act 2023 introduces laws to protect both children and adults online by imposing new responsibilities on social media and search service providers. These companies must implement systems to prevent illegal activities and remove illegal content.
Children receive the strongest protections, with platforms required to block harmful and age-inappropriate content, while offering easy ways for parents and children to report issues. Adults will also be protected, with platforms needing to be transparent about harmful content and give users more control over what they see.
Ofcom, as the independent regulator, will oversee compliance, issuing guidelines and enforcing rules. The Act’s safety requirements are proportionate, meaning that smaller platforms won’t face the same obligations as larger ones, and both providers and regulators must consider users' rights when fulfilling safety duties.
(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)
Trauma Informed Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to help leaders, workforces, services and organisations on their journey to implement a trauma informed approach across policy and practice. Based on local and international evidence, it offers in-depth insights from those with lived experience. It is infused with cross sector examples and local research, and it provides a checklist for organisations to measure progress. It aims to complement existing organisational priorities, driving improvement, innovation and sustainable change.
(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)
‘Fear of missing out’ keeping girls and young women online despite sexism
Almost half of girls aged 11 to 21 in Girlguiding survey say sexism and misogyny makes them feel less safe. Girls and young women are seeing more unwanted sexual images and suffering more cyberstalking online, but still don’t want to take a break from social media because of a fear of missing out, a survey for Girlguiding has found.
“Fomo” is keeping more than half of 11- to 21-year-olds on apps such as TikTok, Snapchat and WhatsApp despite nearly one in five saying they have been being stalked online and more than a third saying they are seeing sexual images they didn’t wish to see, the survey of more than 2,000 girls and young women found.
(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)
It's Not Love: teaching resources about positive relationships
It’s Not Love explores the themes of healthy and unhealthy relationships, including behaviours relating to interpersonal relationship abuse (peer on peer and familial).
Resources include three films and accompanying lesson plans that follow four characters experiencing interpersonal domestic violence, in familial, friendship and in intimate partner relationships. Also provided are the clear curriculum links for this resource.
(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)
Department for Education confirms planned changes to early years safeguarding requirements
The Department for Education has today published its response to the recent consultation on safeguarding in the early years.
The response confirmed several safeguarding changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, which will come into effect on 1 September 2025.
These changes are being implemented to “strengthen the EYFS safeguarding requirements and make them more comprehensive for early years providers" and “ensure that all children are kept as safe as possible in early years settings”.
https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/news/2024/10/department-education-confirms-planned-changes-early-years-safeguarding-requirements
(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)
Health & Safety
'Martyn’s Law' introduced to Parliament to better protect the public from terrorism
The public will be better protected from terrorism under new laws requiring many public venues to improve preparedness against attacks and bring in measures to help keep people safe.
The new legislation, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will make sure venues across the UK must consider the security of the public, and take steps to protect them from harm.
(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)
EHRC publishes updated workplace sexual harassment guidance ahead of change to law
From 26 October 2024 employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers, including by third parties. Equality regulator publishes new guidance supporting employers to meet new legal obligations. Employers must be proactive in assessing risk, identifying action and regularly review their processes.
(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)
The CPR Bra
We’ve launched the CPR Bra campaign which aims to save lives by busting the taboo around chest compressions and touching breasts.
Our research shows one in three people are afraid to give CPR to a woman in public because they are worried about touching breasts.
This has got to change!
We've created the world’s first educational bra - the CPR Bra - which is designed to close the gender survival gap and reassure people that taking fast action is the right thing to do to save a life regardless of gender. It features the message ‘It’s OK to Save My Life’ on the front, along with a reminder of the steps needed to respond to a cardiac arrest, as every second counts.
(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)
How to cope with ADHD: practical tips for everyday living
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that affects those who have it in different ways. If you have ADHD it may cause symptoms like restlessness, impulsive behaviour, and difficulty concentrating. It's important to address ADHD early to help you manage your symptoms, improve your wellbeing and strengthen your relationships.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), around 5% of children and 4% of adults in the UK have ADHD. However, this figure is likely underestimated due to the number of people waiting to be diagnosed.
(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)
Wider Curriculum
Rising suspensions rates in the FE sector
With statistics of suspensions and exclusions near on doubled since prior to the COVID pandemic research conducted by FE week has highlighted a growing challenge for providers in the sector in managing student conduct.
FE Week submitted a freedom of information request to around 200 colleges for annual suspension and exclusion figures since the pandemic began. Of the 134 responses received, the data showed suspensions soared from 2,104 in 2019-20 to 4,173 in 2023-24.
Issues such as responding to allegations of sexual violence or harassment, racism, substance abuse, coercion or bullying seemingly a common place for many providers. Questions are being asked about staff confidence and capacity in making reasonable adaptations to enable those involved to continue with their education, when feeling a lack of support or resource by external providers such as social care or mental health services.
(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)
Redefining work-life balance: what is the Quiet Quitting movement?
Quiet firing is when employers gradually reduce an employee's responsibilities, hoping they'll resign. In contrast, quiet quitters set their own boundaries - actively disengaging from excessive work demands to protect their mental wellness. But while quiet quitting might seem good for your health, could it have some long-term downsides?
Quiet quitting is a social movement that since the COVID-19 pandemic has increased in popularity, particularly among working members of Gen Z - born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s. Quiet quitting prioritises reducing work stress by maintaining work-life boundaries. The aim is to remain employed while safeguarding mental wellbeing by only doing the bare minimum.
(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. 30 mins)
Smartphone myths
It’s October, which means Halloween. It’s a day of extremes. On one end, it’s sitting down with terrifying movies while holding on to your loved ones for protection. On the other end, it’s hordes of small children dressed as superheroes banging on your door demanding sweets. Who are we to say which is scarier? (It’s obviously the kids.)
So, while you’re sitting in the dark with the curtains closed, whispering to your partner in the hope they’ll move on to another house, you might be wondering – as the banging on the door gets louder – about other menacing things. The stuff that goes bump in the night. The myths and legends that fire up our superstitions.
Even the most rational among us has superstitions. Are you someone who avoids black cats in case they bring you bad luck? Do you knock on wood to keep the bad luck at bay? Do you knock on wood to scare off black cats as a double precaution?
(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)
5 Workplace Confidence Killers and How to Beat Them
Some people seem to have it all together. You know the type – the peppy employee who is always ready to share their ideas or take on new assignments. Their can-do attitude convinces those around them, including themselves, that they’re an asset. They embrace a state of being that many of us struggle to find: confidence.
Too many employees struggle with low confidence and let self-doubt hold them back from sharing their ideas and reaching their full potential at work. However, confidence is as much a skill as it is an outlook. Like any skill, you can learn to be confident if you put in the work. Below, we’ll explore five of the top confidence-killers and what you can do to beat them.
(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
Why is Recycling Important?
In recent years, climate emergencies have been declared, David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II brought home the devastating effects that plastic waste is having on the environment and on wildlife, and there has been an increased emphasis on the need to recycle.
We’re a hugely consumer-driven society, and recycling converts the things we throw away into new items, making sure that none of the energy and raw materials used to make them goes to waste. It also prevents the air and ground pollution, and the release of greenhouse gases that results from dumping was waste on landfill sites.
But recycling does much more than this. You might think that dutifully putting your plastic bottles and aluminium cans in the recycling doesn’t make that much of a difference, but take it from us, it really does.
https://www.recyclingbins.co.uk/blogs/news/why-is-recycling-important?srsltid=AfmBOopDlMLiD8U2ruA6gsZ36bBkxG4zP9bdIKOtdRokJtxPZNzMY2BP
(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)
Achieving Zero Hunger to Drive Progress on The Global Goals
This Wednesday marked World Food Day – recognised annually on October 16, it is a global call to end hunger and ensure food security for all. Tackling hunger and malnutrition is crucial for creating a more equitable, sustainable world.
Between 2000 and 2020, child mortality rates halved due to factors like increased development aid, strong political leadership, more healthcare workers, vaccines, and new medicines. However, this progress has since stalled. But, addressing malnutrition could halve child deaths again.
Malnutrition affects over 400 million children worldwide, limiting growth and increasing the risk of disease, sometimes reducing the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. It also impacts education and poverty, with severely malnourished children completing five fewer years of schooling and earning about 10% less in their lifetime. They’re also 33% less likely to escape poverty.
(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 are the biggest sustainability threats?
Climate change is perceived as the main threat to our environment because it is the most visible. But there are several other major environmental threats that can impact the sustainability of our planet that need attention, and many of them are interrelated. Governments, companies and individuals are becoming aware of what are the threats to sustainability and are taking action.
(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)
An Idiot’s guide to change the world- Nurturing Nature
Protecting life on land means protecting ourselves. Natural ecosystems are the best technology to help feed populations, cool the planet, provide fresh water and clean the air we breathe. But our biodiversity is under severe threat. Globally, over 1.2 million plant and animal species are predicted to face extinction in the coming decades. Experts now believe we’re in the midst of a ‘sixth mass extinction’, the first in Earth’s history to be driven primarily by human activity. In this episode Gail and Loyiso ponder the wonderful services nature provides and take a closer look at the Global Goal to protect life on land (Goal 15). They ask renowned conservationist Gerardo Ceballos, who is credited with spearheading the first Endangered Species Act of Mexico, how we can halt the loss of biodiversity, and hear from indigenous activist Archana Soreng, why it all starts with considering ourselves as being part of nature itself.
(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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